Fondren’s world-class collection of materials supports internal and external researchers and raises awareness of the library’s collections, facilities, and programs.
Fondren surveys Rice students
Fondren Library surveyed undergraduates in the Fall of 2023, and graduate students in the spring of 2024, in order to understand needs and make improvements to the library. The UX Office at Fondren coordinated with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, who administers the campus survey. The Survey of All Students Fondren Library questions were answered by 4,602 undergraduate students, for a response rate of 94.5%. The survey asked 4 questions, the first being a matrix usage and satisfaction question, limited in scope to six Fondren services, Library Courses and Events, Primary Resources and Electronic Databases, and Library Spaces and Services.
How has Fondren Library contributed to your success as a student? 99 students specifically indicated that the library significantly contributed to their academic success, while 96 students reported a moderate impact. Additionally, 105 students expressed that the library has not contributed significantly to their academic achievements.
How could Fondren Library better meet your needs? This was presented as an open-ended question with no other prompt. Analysis of the comments filtered into categories of: the building (bathrooms, lighting, water fountains, cleanliness), study rooms and the room reservation system, library amenities, IT/Tech, events & programs, library navigation, accessibility, library hours, collections, marketing/publicity, policies. There were very few comments about specific departments in the building, but DMC, CAPC, and the Kelley Center for Government Information were named. The overwhelming majority of comments were negative about the building. There was a strong general sense of the building needing a renovation, or that we just needed a new building. Some students (1) called for a better utilization of existing study areas. There were a number of students (5) that commented especially on the air ventilation. A few students mentioned specific areas: the 6th floor needs new tables and whiteboards.
Graduate students surveyed
The Survey of All Students Fondren Library questions were answered by 1,428 graduate students, with a response rate of 78.3%. The survey asked seven questions, the first two being matrix usage and satisfaction questions, limited in scope to nine Fondren services. The next questions were about utilizing library spaces, which library spaces were most beneficial, and which spaces students would like to see in future renovations. Finally, students were asked about which skills they would like to develop further, and their preferred method to learn new skills. Circulation was the highest ranked service used (13.16%) and the least utilized library service was the Kelley Center for Government Information (81.04%).
Fondren Library departments continue to incorporate the feedback from the surveys to improve the services at Fondren Library. More details of the survey are available from fondrenux@rice.edu
Seed Library
In April, to coincide with Earth Month, Hannah Edlund and Jeanette Sewell piloted the Fondren Seed Library. It has been very popular so far. Native Texas plants are the main focus, but we also offer herbs, veggies, and a few non-native flowers. It functions similarly to a Little Free Library: take some seeds, bring some seeds back! We have partnered with various campus organizations: Prairie Plots, Harris Gully Natural Area, and Terra. Funding for supplies and some seeds was very generously provided by Friends of Fondren Library. Because of the nature of this service, "checkouts" are only loosely tracked. Those most recent: 391 from visitors to the library, and a further 185 from when the seed library went to an event.
Fondren Ambassador Field Trip to TSU
The Fondren Student Library Ambassadors, traveled on an inspiring trip to the Texas Southern University Library Learning Center on February 9th, 2024. Sara Lowman, University Provost and Librarian had made funds available to update key areas in Fondren, and the students were looking for inspiration in TSU’s recent renovations. The Ambassadors explored TSU’s modern features, from private study pods to a vending machine stocked with healthy snacks. They also toured the study rooms and stacks, where unique portraits of authors, poets, and musicians marked the ends of each book range, adding a creative touch.
To round out the experience, we visited Kindred Stories, an African-American owned bookstore in the Third Ward that celebrates Black voices and literature. The atmosphere was warm, engaging, and brimming with thoughtfully curated books and resources. Overall, the trip was a powerful source of inspiration, and the Ambassadors returned to Fondren excited to bring new ideas to life with the funds available.
The Fondren Ambassadors program, created in Spring 2016 by the User Experience Office with support from the Fondren Library executive team, are undergraduate students who primarily promote library resources and services to the campus community and provide feedback and ideas to help make Fondren the very best it can be for students.
Fondren Ambassadors tour the TSU Library
Ambassadors attend workshop at Woodson Archive
Ambassadors Zeisha Bennett ‘26 and Hazel Landers ‘27 learn about the Woodson printing press
Exploring Houston’s Jewish History: Emery Weiner School Seniors Dive into Refuseniks and Houston Action for Soviet Jewry
The Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives, in collaboration with the Woodson Research Center, recently welcomed 80 high school seniors from the Emery Weiner School in Houston, Texas, for an enriching day-long program. On May 6th, students delved into the compelling narrative of Refuseniks and the Houston Action for Soviet Jewry under the guidance of Melissa Cohen-Nickels, curator of STJA, and WRC archivist Traci Patterson.
A highlight of the program was the afternoon's break-out rooms, where students had the unique opportunity to analyze primary source documents sourced from the STJA collections. Through hands-on exploration, they gained invaluable insights into this pivotal chapter of Jewish history, fostering critical thinking and a deeper connection to the past.
Reflecting on their experience, students shared how the program left them with a newfound appreciation for their personal identities and a deeper understanding of Houston's Jewish heritage. Events like these not only educate but also inspire a sense of community and cultural pride among our youth.
We extend our gratitude to the Emery Weiner School for their enthusiastic participation and look forward to continuing our shared journey of exploration into the rich tapestry of Houston's Jewish history.
Digital Projects Presentations and Training
Jerrell Jones presented material on digitization concepts and best practices, metadata creation, digital projects, and project management to Fondren Fellows participants. Librarians and archivists from the Archives of Galveston County received two virtual trainings and one in-person training. Jones also virtually presented an overview of digitization concepts to a group of new digitization specialists in Barbados as part of their Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny (ROAD) program, a large-scale preservation effort. Colleagues in Digital Scholarship Services provided a presentation entitled “Digital Scholarship for Historians” to Dr. Elizabeth Petrick’s history doctoral course, introducing students to tools, methods, and best practices in digital humanities.
Image: Jerrell Jones with librarians and archivists from the Archives of Galveston County.
Building Connections and Growing Impact: The Role of Communications and Marketing at Fondren Library
In 2023, Fondren Library created a new communications and marketing position to further enhance its mission of fostering a welcoming environment that contributes to both academic and personal growth. The first person to hold this dedicated role, Sireice Edwards works to raise awareness of the library’s crucial support for research, teaching, and learning. She collaborates with librarians on initiatives such as events, social media, and the annual report.
Edwards views communication as a platform where students can see themselves represented in the library.
A Personal Connection to Libraries
Growing up, Edwards’ grandmother took her to libraries in both Houston and New Orleans, opening doors to a world of literature. However, when she attended Howard University, she faced limited access to the library. The main library was closed, leaving only a small, archival library available for studying. Despite this, Edwards completed her BA in Philosophy at Howard University in Washington, D. C. in 2018. She went on to multiple experiences in the marketing space, including stints at the International Downtown Association (IDA), the Zac Team at RE/MAX Metro Atlanta, and as a freelance marketer for Rice & Co. Creative Firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Always deeply committed to lifelong learning, she is currently enrolled in the MLIS program at Syracuse University to further her expertise in libraries.
A Rediscovery of Reading and Connection
Two years before working at Rice, Edwards rediscovered her love for reading. She picked up Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen, a book that resonated deeply with her, rekindling her passion for literature.
She was thrilled when the marketing position at Rice University became available, “Rice was my dream school growing up, before I went to Howard, “Edward shares. “I saw my past and my future here, and the position at Fondren as a marketing specialist felt like a perfect fit.”
Data-Driven Strategy and Engagement
Certified in Google Analytics, and an active Sprout administrator, Edwards understands the importance of data in shaping effective communication strategies. “Looking at the data helps understand what resources are underutilized, so we can highlight those in our campaigns. It’s about communicating with internal stakeholders and ensuring our marketing efforts prioritize the right resources.” Edwards explains.
She takes pride in seeing how content resonates with students and faculty, noting, “It’s fulfilling to see students engage with the library’s message and feel connected to the services we offer.”
Fostering Connections with Students
Over the past year, Edwards has been impressed by the extensive services and support that Fondren Library provides. She values the opportunity to connect with students, which is a key motivator in her work. Through the College Associates program, she has met with students, built relationships, and maintained an open-door policy for one-on-one interactions. Edwards is energized by seeing students engage with the library's social media content, which drives her to produce even more engaging posts.
“My goal is to create a user-centered, comprehensive, and digestible experience,” she says. This philosophy is also influenced by her background in cooking and food as a medium of communication. In college, she dreamed of opening a bakery to serve her community. Now, she brings that same spirit of connection to Fondren’s events and activities.
Leadership and Recognition
Edwards is also an active participant in the broader library community. She is currently serving on the 2026 Conference Planning Committee for the Texas Library Association and is involved in iBlack Caucus, a student organization within the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (ALA).
In recognition of her dedication and contributions, Edwards was recently awarded a spot to attend the 2025 ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) Conference in Minneapolis, scheduled for April 2–10.
When asked about Edward’s new role, University Librarian Sara Lowman said “Sireice has made a huge impact in the short time that she’s worked at the library. Her collaborative personality has led to many of the other staff engaging even more with students, and has led to more creative, fun ways of serving the Rice community. She’s done a great job communicating the role of the library in supporting the research and teaching mission of the University.”
Debra Kolah, Head of User Experience
Noh Mask Event
Fondren Library is honored to have acquired two Japanese Noh theater masks, handcrafted by master mask maker Kitazawa Hideta, a second-generation woodcarving artist. In the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration, Asian Studies Librarian Anna Shparberg and Art & Architecture Librarian K. Sarah Ostrach contacted Theatre Nohgakuabout the possibility of commissioning two masks from Master Kitazawa to exemplify the craftsmanship of the masks and the visual imagery of traditional Noh theater: Ko-omote (a young woman) and Hannya (a tormented female demon). Master Kitazawa obliged, hand-delivering the two masks to K. Sarah after his overwhelmingly popular lecture and demonstration on April 2, 2024, co-sponsored by the Department of Transnational Asian Studies and the Chao Center for Asian Studies. The masks have since been viewed by classes studying Japanese theater and imagery, and will likely be exhibited in Spring 2025.
K Sarah Ostrach, Art & Architecture Librarian