The Special Collections at Rhode Island College James P. Adams Library consists of rare and special books, papers, manuscripts, and artifacts relating to a variety of subjects relevant to the RIC community, college programs, and Rhode Island history. Topics include education, cultural heritage, and socio-political materials.

RIC Special Collections is located in Adams Library suite 413-416.  Most of the books in Special Collections are listed in the Adams Library Catalog, however, a listing of book collections is available. Finding aids and collection descriptions for some archival material can be found in Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online. Assistance and reference services are available by appointment only. Materials in Special Collections do not circulate. However, loans to other institutions can be made on a case by case basis with the approval of the Special Collections Librarian and the Director of the Library.