Reference Services

The primary clientele of the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library include the entire student body, faculty, and staff. Primary clientele are given priority service over any secondary or outside clientele, and reference librarians reserve the right to ask Bryant students, faculty and staff to display their Bryant identification. Bryant University, as a private institution, has the right to restrict library services to ensure its primary clientele receives the best possible service available when conducting research and completing assignments.

All services provided by the reference librarians and support staff, such as face-to-face, telephone, and electronic reference services, will address academic and research needs. The librarians and staff reserve the right to discontinue service to clientele who communicate inappropriately or ask non-academic questions. Use of computers in the library should relate primarily to research and assignment completion. Patrons should adhere to the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy when working on library computers.

Related Policies

Service to Alumni and Trustees

Alumni and trustees are entitled to reference services, on-campus use of the reference collection, the library catalog and the reference subject guides via the library webpage. Alumni should display their Bryant alumni card to the reference librarian on duty. If the librarian on duty has Bryant faculty or students who need assistance, she/he will serve them first, as they are primary clientele of the library. Alumni do not have off-campus access to the library's subscription databases, due to vendor licensing agreements; the reference librarians will direct these individuals to assistance at their local institutions.

Secondary Clientele

Secondary clientele include students and faculty from surrounding colleges who are members of the HELIN consortium. Reference librarians will provide service to those patrons only after a valid identification card has been presented and any waiting Bryant students, faculty, or staff have been served.

Outside Clientele

Outside clientele, or users of the library from the local community and colleges not participating in the HELIN consortium, will be directed to reference services available through the Providence Public Library or through the state system of colleges (CCRI, RIC, and URI). These institutions, because they are funded with taxpayer monies, serve all Rhode Island taxpayers. Reference librarians on duty who receive questions from outside clientele will provide these patrons with library phone numbers and other contact information to assist them.