Non-Rice-Affiliated Borrowers
HARLIC Houston Area Research Libraries Consortium, Reciprocal Borrowing Programs, HAM-TMC, TexShare, Friends of Fondren, visiting the library
Friends of Fondren, HARLIC Houston Area Research Libraries Consortium, OCLC, Tex Share, On-Site Interlibrary Loan, other institutions, visiting the library
Friends of Fondren
The Friends of Fondren Library, founded in 1950, is dedicated to stimulating growth in library resources and facilities for the 21st century. The Friends seek to heighten community and alumni interest in Fondren Library and to support academic programs at Rice University by funding library collections and facilities.
- The organization is open to individuals over 18 years of age who are not enrolled in another educational institution.
- To join the Friends of Fondren, go to to complete the enrollment form. Payment is by credit card.
- Holders of valid, current Friends cards may borrow up to four books at a time by presenting both the library card and a photo ID at the Circulation Desk.
HARLiC
The Houston Area Research Library Consortium represents the major research libraries in the Houston area. The Consortium was organized in 1978 for the purpose of meeting the research and information needs of the Houston community by sharing library collections and services.
- Holders of valid, current HARLiC cards may borrow up to four books at a time by presenting their card and photo ID at the Circulation Desk.
OCLC Reciprocal Borrowing Programs
Founded in 1967, the Online Computer Library Center is a cooperative organization of member libraries worldwide.
- Faculty from any institution that participates in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program may enter Fondren Library.
- To borrow books you must have obtained an OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program card from your home institution.
- Holders of valid, current OCLC cards may borrow up to four books at a time by presenting their card and photo ID at the Circulation Desk.
- Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program Participating Schools
TexShare
Fondren Library is a participating Library in the Texas State Library and Archives Commission TexShare Program. We participate via Inter Library Loan, TEXPRESS, WebCat and sharing of our database. Participation table
Holders of Tex share cards DO NOT have borrowing privileges at Fondren Library. Please request items from our collection via your home institution's ILL or TEXPRESS programs.
On-Site Interlibrary Loan
Several area institutions of higher learning participate in On-Site Interlibrary Loan in which students, faculty or staff from one school borrow books by bringing a signed, dated, usually multi-part form.
- Bearers of valid, current On-Site Interlibrary Loan forms may borrow up to four books at a time by presenting forms and school ID at the Circulation Desk.
- Inquire at your school's library if you are affiliated with:
-Houston Graduate School of Theology
-St. Mary's Seminary
-Texas Southern University
-University of St. Thomas
-University of Houston Clear Lake
Please note that the University of Houston Central Campus does not participate in On-Site Interlibrary Loan with the Fondren Library.
Other Institutions
- Borrowing privileges are also available to eligible staff members of several museums and other institutions.
- Certain restrictions or fees may apply.
- Holders of valid, current Other Institutions cards may borrow up to four books at a time by presenting their card and photo ID at the Circulation Desk.
- Inquire at your institution if you are affiliated with:
Austin-Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Holocaust Museum
Menil Foundation
Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Natural Science
