Libraries

The Johnson & Wales University library network is comprised of the libraries on the JWU campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina, and combines traditional library services with a dynamic online information environment tailored to meet the needs of Johnson & Wales students on and off campus.

Staffed by graduates of ALA-accredited master’s degree programs in library and information science, a notable characteristic of the library is its commitment to the development of lifelong learning skills and information literacy in all JWU graduates. In addition, a key mission of the library is enhancing the pedagogical, professional and scholarly achievements of JWU faculty. During operating hours, staff is available to offer assistance on how to effectively use library resources and find the most pertinent information for assignments.

An important aspect of the library is the access it provides to resources, services and facilities shared by the Higher Education Library Information Network (HELIN), a southern New England consortium of academic libraries. 

The main Johnson & Wales University library facility in Providence occupies the second floor of The Yena Center at 111 Dorrance St. on the Downcity Campus. It houses the largest of the university library network’s book, journal and AV resource collections as well as the administrative offices of the dean of university libraries. Other resources include access to numerous research databases, Mac and Windows computer workstations, wide-bed scanners, group study rooms with LED monitors, private study carrels, soft seating, an electronic classroom, wireless internet connectivity throughout the facility.

Library collections and services at the Harborside Campus are located in The Friedman Center at 321 Harborside Blvd., and primarily support the curricula of the College of Culinary Arts, with resources also available for graduate studies in business and education. Like its Downcity Campus counterpart, this facility provides access to research databases, computer workstations, group study rooms with LED monitors, and wireless internet connectivity, as well as numerous books, periodicals and AV resources. In addition, the library holds an important collection of restaurant menus from around the world. Many of these menus are now available online in the JWU Scholars Archive, an open-access digital repository of faculty publications, student scholarship and image files unique to the university. 

As an extension of JWU Library, the Culinary Arts Museum on the Harborside Campus, stores and exhibits hundreds of historic artifacts associated with the fields of culinary arts, food studies and hospitality. Through the Culinary Arts Museum online catalog, students and researchers can access digitized images of museum collection objects and identify book, journal and artifact holdings. The museum also offers ample seating and bookable presentation space for student use, with Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.

Visit the Providence Campus library webpage for links to online resources, user guides, contact information and hours of operation.