Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

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Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

A place for inquiry, inspiration, and research. View our current hours at https://risd.libcal.com/hours

Founded in 1878, the RISD Library is one of the oldest independent art college libraries in the country. Its more than 145,000 volumes and 380 periodical subscriptions offer unusual depth and richness in the areas of architecture, art, design and photography. The collection provides strong historical and contemporary perspectives, and materials in landscape architecture, ceramics, textiles, and je

welry support upper-level research. The library is also noted for its artist’s book collection, its rare books and outstanding visual resources collections.

05/29/2026

Fleet Library is so excited for Commencement and Reunion Weekend and have been preparing by listening to the 2021 rizdeology interview with RISD 1997 Painting MFA alum Julie Mehretu, who will be receiving an honorary degree and giving the Commencement address, and her classmate Ben Edwards. You’ll find this and other rizdeology podcast interviews on Digital Commons @ RISD. Visit the link in our bio to listen! ⭐️

05/28/2026

We are thrilled to present the second iteration of RISD Revisited: Stories, Art, and Alumni, on view now on the first floor of the library! Curated by Term Archivist, Zoe Johnson in collaboration with Sarah Reed from RISD Alumni & Family Relations, the RISD Archives presents a special reunion-themed exhibit showcasing photographs of student life, campus events, design diplomas, and commencement, as well as student newspapers, works by alumni, memorabilia, and more throughout RISD history.

05/13/2026

Changes and Temporalities in Violin- and Guitar-Making Through the Collection of the Musée de la Musique of Paris.”

Jean-Philippe Échard, Curator of String Instruments
May 21, 7pm, Fleet Library
Free Event

Sponsored by the Division of Experimental and Foundation Studies, the Division of Liberal Arts, and Fleet Library.

This talk will explore what it means to experiment with musical instruments, a process shaped by the history of techniques, artisanal practices, the evolution of design, and changing cultural needs. Dr. Échard’s visit to Providence coincides with his participation in Musical Bodies, a new exhibition opening at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on June 7 (https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/musical-bodies)

04/24/2026

The community event celebrates artists’ books, zines, and experimental printed matter created by makers from across the region.

04/15/2026

Join us tonight in the Fleet Library alongside RISD Balls captain Ryan Scott 26 GD from 6:30-8pm for: “Shootaround, a history of basketball at RISD from the early 20th century to today.”

The event will open with a brief presentation by Ryan about the team’s history followed by an alumni roundtable featuring former RISD basketball players from over the past 60 years. Stay for the audience Q+A at the end, as well as giveaway prints, refreshments, and a display of archive materials representing six decades of RISD basketball from the Red Devils to the Balls! 🏀

RISD Basketball pictures and schedule courtesy of the RISD Archives.

04/02/2026

On view now in our second floor exhibit space. ’s Color Lab Fellowship Exhibit: Paper Color Guide 6 Paper Lines 200 Colors is on view through April 2026.

Anther writes: Paper is an essential material in many areas of art and design practice. But unlike other, more specialized materials (like wood, clay, metal, or glass), its properties and behaviors aren’t often studied by the artists and designers who work with it. This project sets out to offer students a practical and inspiring guide to paper -its properties, varieties, and the range of creative possibilities it can open up.

The installation here accompanies a publication, Paper Color Guide: A Handbook for Designers, Artists, and Makers. Part handbook and part material library, the book contains a detailed guide to working with paper, alongside the 200 paper samples displayed here. The book is a hand-bound limited edition and will be housed in the Graphic Design department and the Fleet Library Special Collections.

The project is led by Anther Kiley, with assistance from Jee Woo Kang and the support of the RISD ColorLab. The sample library includes generous donations from Cards & Pockets, LCI Paper, Legion Paper, and Mohawk Paper.

04/01/2026

Join us on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 PM in the Library Living Room for “Shootaround, a history of basketball at RISD from the early 20th century to today.” 🏀

Join RISD Balls captain Ryan Scott 26 GD for a presentation about the team’s history followed by an alumni roundtable featuring former RISD basketball players from over the past 60 years. Stay for the audience Q+A at the end, as well as giveaway prints, refreshments (maybe basketball themed?) and a display of archival materials representing six decades of RISD basketball from the Red Devils to the Balls! 🏀

Images from the RISD Archives!

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the RISD Picture Collection!

03/11/2026

Come and learn more about the multimedia publishing practice of .db, RISD GD MFA ‘23 this Saturday, March 14th at 4 PM EST! Followed by a conversation with Nadine Macapagal and a student Q&A.

Use the link in our bio to register and access the Zoom event! This event is online only, free and open to the public.

03/07/2026

We are so excited to share our new scoop cart (designed to carry large items - think big posters, prints, photographs, architectural drawings, etc. safely!) fabricated by Colin Bliss, Senior Academic Technologist in .

The cart was designed by C. Ford Peatross during his tenure as Curator of Architecture, Design & Engineering in the Library of Congress’ Prints & Photographs Division. Colin was commissioned by Library Director, Aliza Leventhal to make a cart using the design.

Swipe for to see the cart in action and a good scoop exclamation! ‼️

Address

15 Westminster St
Providence, RI
02903

Website

http://library.risd.edu/

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