Library Membership Benefits

Service Description

Membership Levels

(All memberships are fully tax-deductible.)

Librarian’s Circle ($2500)

Librarian’s Circle members receive all of the privileges listed below plus:

  • Priority seating for the Friends of Fondren Library Annual Dinner
  • One guaranteed 3-hour session per month of individual training and assistance from GIS/Data Center and Digital Media Commons staff (appointment required)

Library Fellow ($1000)

Library Fellow members receive all of the privileges listed below plus:

  • Preferred seating for the Friends of Fondren Library Annual Dinner
  • Eligibility for individual training and assistance from GIS/Data Center and Digital Media Commons staff (subject to availability, appointment required)

Benefactor ($500)

Benefactor Members receive all of the privileges listed below plus:

  • Special seating for the Friends of Fondren Library Annual Dinner

Patron ($250)

Patron Members receive all of the privileges listed below plus:

  • Eligibility for short courses at the GIS/Data Center and Digital Media Commons (space permitting, registration required)
  • Up to four additional memberships for household members (must be ages 16-18 and live at home)
  • Use of dedicated study room twice in fall and twice in spring, plus 10 additional times June-August (on a first-come, first-served basis).  Reservations must be made at least 3 business days in advance through the Friends of Fondren Library executive director at mary.lowery@rice.edu.

Sponsor (see prices below)

Community Member, Nonprofit Staff*, or Non-Rice Student** ($100)
Rice Alumni ($75)
Rice Faculty, Rice Staff, or Rice Retiree ($50)
Recent Rice Graduate - first 5 years after graduation ($25)

All Sponsor level members receive:

  • Advance notice of lectures, receptions, the annual gala and other special events
  • Unlimited use of the library's public computers for online research; the university's online collections are primarily available in person
  • Annual library circulation privileges which allow a member to check out up to four (4) books at a time for 28 days, renewable online for an additional 28 days the first time. If you would like to keep the same books longer, you will need to come in and see a circulation staff member for additional renewal time. Your library card is renewed remotely upon renewal, and it does not include your photo. 
  • Eligibility for a library entrance/access card ($10 fee per member payable to RUPD) - Please contact the FoFL office at fofl@rice.edu to request an Access Card Form. Plan to go by RUPD the day after you have applied for membership, or renewal of your membership, AND completed and returned the Access Card Form to pay and receive your access card.  Each member has to be present and show their driver's license when applying for this access card. This access card includes your photo, and it is not used for checking out materials at the library. Please note:  This access card is only for front and back door access to Fondren Library during "visitor" hours. By swiping this card, you can go directly through the turnstiles. To check out books, you need your Fondren library card also.

 

*Nonprofit staff members must call 713-348-5157 to join Friends of Fondren Library to guarantee eligibility for short courses and individual training and assistance at the GIS/Data Center and Digital Media Commons (subject to availability, registration and appointment required).

**Non-Rice students must present a valid student ID to be eligible for short courses and individual training and assistance at the GIS/Data Center and Digital Media Commons (subject to availability, registration and appointment required).