Gilbert & Ruth Whitaker Business Information Center
Designed by noted architect Robert A. M. Stern, the Business Information Center provides about three times the space of the previous library in Herring Hall. The library occupies portions of the second and fourth floors on the southeast side of McNair Hall. It includes a room for reference materials and journals, a separate room for the circulating collection, and a large reading room overlooking Jamail Plaza and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. Also provided are several group study rooms, carrels and an online resource rooms.
Although features from several architectural styles are used, the design of the library is heavily influenced by the late nineteenth-century arts and crafts movement. Elements of this movement are evident in many of the furnishings particularly the enormous glass and metal light fixtures illuminating the reading room. During the lengthy planning stages of the Jones School building project there evolved not only a comfortable and spacious study environment, but also ample growth space to meet the demands of the school.
General Information
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Phone Number: |
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(713) 348-6062 |
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Reference Email: |
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jgsbic@rice.edu |
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Library Hours: |
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Regular Hours (August 22, 2011 - May 2, 2012) |
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Monday-Thursday |
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8:00am - 9:30pm |
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Friday |
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8:00am - 6:00pm |
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Saturday |
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9:00am - 6:00pm |
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Sunday |
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12noon - 9:30pm |
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Interim Summer Hours (May 3 - May 31, 2012) |
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Monday—Friday |
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8:30am - 6:30pm |
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Saturday |
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Closed |
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Sunday |
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Closed |
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Summer Hours (June 1 - August 19, 2012) |
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Monday—Friday |
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8:30am - 5:00pm |
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Saturday |
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Closed |
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Sunday |
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Closed |
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The business library observes the University’s stated holidays: |
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Labor Day |
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(4th Monday in September) |
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Thanksgiving Day |
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(4th Thursday in November) |
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Christmas Day |
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(December 25th) |
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New Years Day |
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(January 1st) |
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Martin Luther King Day |
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(3rd Monday in January) |
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Memorial Day |
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(Last Monday in May) |
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Independence Day |
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(July 4th) |
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Winter and Spring break hours will be posted one week prior to the break. |
Books
Fondren Library | Fondren Library Catalog
Circulation Policies
Borrowing Privileges
Rice University student, faculty, staff and courtesy borrowers who have current identification cards may borrow books. A current Rice University I.D. or courtesy card is required for all borrowing transactions.
Loan Periods
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Loan Period |
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Undergraduate and Graduate Students |
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28 days |
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Faculty |
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1 due date; May 1str |
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Rice Staff |
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Semester |
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Approved Community Borrowers |
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28 days |
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Renewals
Books that are not yet overdue, have not been requested by another borrower, or reached the renewal limit may be renewed online. |
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Overdue Books and Fines – Rice faculty, students & staff |
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Books |
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25 cents/day |
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Reserves |
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$1.20/hr |
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Recalled materials |
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$1.00/day |
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Overdue Books & Fines - Approved Community Borrowers |
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Books |
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$1.00/day |
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Recalls |
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$1.00/day |
Lost & Damaged Materials
- Material lost by a borrower is billed for its replacement value, plus a nonrefundable processing fee.
- Materials damaged while charged to a borrower are billed at the cost of repair or replacement.
- All lost or damaged materials remain the property of Fondren Library.
Recalls
Only authorized borrowers may place recalls. A book may be recalled from another borrower after it has been on loan for a minimum of two weeks. Recalled item due dates will automatically change to precede the original due dates. Books needed for reserve are recalled immediately.
Journals - fulltext journals
Rice libraries provide access to a large number and variety of online journals. The scope of the collection is broad with excellent coverage in art, business, economics, engineering, literature, music, natural sciences and social sciences.
User Interface > Databases A-Z
*These items are in the BIC only
Databases by Type and Use
Articles
- ABI/INFORM
- Business Source Complete
- FACTIVA
- LexusNexis Acadmic
- RDS
Company/Industry
- Business & Company Resource Center
- Capital IQ
- Datamonitor 360
- Hoovers
- IBIS World
- Mergent Online
- Mergent Horizon
- Plunkett Research Center
- Reference USA
- S&P NetAdvantage
Investment
- Investext
- MorningStar Research Investment Center
- NetAdvantage
- ValueLine
Marketing
- Euromonitor Passport Reference
- MarketResearch.com
- Mintel
Guides
More information coming soon.
Faculty Services & Research
The BIC staff are ready to help you in person (room 200 McNair Hall) or via email (jgsbic@rice.edu)
Classroom Help:
- Reserves: Bring books, articles, and other items to Elise McCutchen. We try to have a 24 hr turnaround time for reserves
- Class Instruction: The BIC staff can come to your class and present a brief introduction to relevant resources. If there is not class time available, we can tailor a resource guide for a specific project.
Research Help:
- InterLibrary Loan (ILLiad): Set up your ILLiad account via Fondren Library’s home page. Make sure you check the box for Faculty which will automatically sign you up for FondrenExpress.
- FondrenExpress: Part of the ILL system at Rice, articles and books not held in BIC or online will be obtained and brought to the BIC.
- Databases: The library subscribes to databases and other data sources to support faculty such as ABI/INFORM, Business Source Complete, Factiva, Investext and Mergent Online.
- Faculty Research Databases: Jones School subscribes to certain databases that are primarily
used for faculty research.
- SSRN (apply of account)
- SDC
- Datastream
- WRDS (apply for account)
- Compustat
- CRSP
- I/B/E/S
- ISS
- NYSE/TAQ
- OptionMetrics
Database Trial
Freedonia Focus Report Collection
The Freedonia Focus Report Collection is an online, subscription based product that provides insight and analysis into over 700 U.S. and International business and industry topics. Approximately 65% of the collection addresses energy, construction & building materials, electronics, chemicals, industrial/manufacturing, pharmaceutical/life sciences and packaging industry topics. The remaining 35% of the reports cover consumer products and service industries. Each 18-25 page report includes concise and valuable information on market size, product and market forecasts, industry composition, market leaders, regulatory issues and business trends. The database is useful for those involved in the commercialization of products and services and in a variety of academic disciplines including:
- Business/Commerce
- Earth Sciences
- Energy
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Food And Nutrition
- International Business
- Life Sciences
- Pharmaceuticals
Click here to access the Freedonia Focus Report Collection!