Guide to the Rice University Regional Information and Communication Exchange (R.i.C.E.) Records, 1966-1997


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Rice University Regional Information and Communication Exchange (R.i.C.E.)
	Title	Rice University Regional Information and Communication Exchange (R.i.C.E.) Records,
	Dates:	1966-1997
	Abstract:	Documents related to the daily business of the Regional Information & Communication Exchange (R.i.C.E.), which was established in 1967 as a fee-based information service operating as a cost-recovery center within the division of community services of Fondren Library. RiCE closed in December 2003.
	ID	UA 060
	Extent	2.5 linear ft. (5 boxes)
	Language	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX

Historical Sketch

The Regional Information & Communication Exchange (R.i.C.E.) was established in 1967 as a fee-based information service operating as a cost-recovery center within the division of community services of Fondren Library. It provided library and research services and document retrieval for the nonacademic community that would otherwise not have access to the exceptional resources of a university library. Most clients were Houston-based companies utilizing the service to supplement their corporate libraries and information centers, or use as an off-site company resource. The cost-effective resource offered its technical expertise of reference and document-retrieval specialists by offering accurate, current and complete information mainly through electronic means.

Revolutionary changes in how information is retrieved via the internet plus economic upheaval in how businesses function forced the closure of RiCE in December 2003.

Scope and Contents

Documents related to the daily business of the Regional Information & Communication Exchange (R.i.C.E.), including reports, correspondence, meeting minutes and notes, publicity materials, and a historical narrative of the department.


Arrangement

		Series I: Founding and history, 1966-1997
		Series II: Reports and manuals, 1969-1988
		Series III: Promotional materials, 1968-1987
		Series IV: General business operations, 1969-1997
		Series V: Advisory Board & Council, 1967-1998
		Series VI: Celebrations, 1987-1997

Restrictions

Access Restriction

This material is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials from the RiCE records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.


Index Terms

	Subjects (Persons)
		Tibbits, Randy
	Subjects
		Research teams
		Research
	Formats
		Slides
		Videotapes
		Photographs

Related Material


	See also Regional Information & Communication Exchange (RiCE) information file.

Detailed Description of the Collection



Series I: Founding and history, 1966-1997
	This material includes information on the proposal, set up and history of RiCE.
box	folder
1	1	Proposal for establishment, n.d.
	2	Funding proposal, 1968-69
	3	Texas State Library agreement/expenditures, 1969-70
	4	History, 1966-67
	5	History, 1968-73
	6	History, 1974-81
	7	History, 1982-88, 1997



Series II: Reports and manuals, 1969-1988
box	folder
1	8	Activity reports, 1969-79
box	folder
2	1	Monthly progress reports, 1970
	2	Annual reports, 1969/70-1984/85
	3	Monthly statistical reports, 1987-88
	4	Procedural manual, 1982
	5	Procedural manual, 1985-86
box	folder
3	1	Procedural, general, 1977-78
	2	Handbook, pre-1985
	3	Interlibrary borrowing procedures, 1985
	4	Administrative policies manual, 1984-86
	5	Client membership costs and fee charges
	6	Schedule of service charges, 1969
	7	Pricing, 1969, 1970s-80s
	8	Business plan, 1985-86



Series III: Promotional materials, 1968-1987
box	folder
3	9	Newsletters, 1968-70, 78, 81, 83, 86
	10	Newsletters, Texas agencies, 1968-69
	11	Brochures, n.d.
	12	Advertising, 1975, 1980s
	13	Promotion on campus, 1985
	14	Public relations, 1970s-80s
box	folder
4	1	“Eyes of Texas” promo video, 1987
	2	AAPG exhibit, 1979
	3	Slide show, 1975



Series IV: General business operations, 1969-1997
box	folder
4	4	Correspondence: General, 1975-78
	5	Correspondence: Patent, 1970s
	6	Correspondence : Energy Research & Education Foundation, 1975
	7	Correspondence: Business Information Center at Houston Public Library, 1975
	8	Budget, 1973-79, 84
	9	Texas Information Exchange information and financial disbursements, 1969-76
	10	Staffing, 1978, 1984
	11	Intern program, 1981
	12	Identity proposal (stationery), 1985
	13	Computer proposal, 1985
	14	Computer problems, 1986-87
	15	Major projects, 1989, 91, 93, 97
	16	Proposal: Shared Information Center for Oil Companies, 1994
box	folder
5	1	Proposal: Shell Oil Company, 1994
	2	Research sponsors, 1972
	3	Customer lists, 1996
	4	Analysis, 1978



Series V: Advisory Board & Council, 1967-1998
box	folder
5	5	Board, 1967-70
	6	Council, 1985
	7	Council, 1986-89
	8	Council, 1996-98



Series VI: Celebrations, 1987-1997
box	folder
5	9	Anniversary, 1987
	10	Anniversary, 1997
	11	Anniversary photos, 1997

Temporary business records

Non-archival business records of limited research value, scheduled to be destroyed in 2010.

box

6-9

2000 - RiCE Paid Client Invoices

box

10-11

2001 - RiCE Paid Client Invoices

box

2001 - RiCE Paid Client Invoices & 2002 RiCE Paid Exxon Invoices (end)

box

2001-2002 RiCE Paid Howrey Invoices

box

2002-2003 RiCE Paid Howrey Invoices

box

2001-2002 RiCE Paid Exxon Invoices

box

16-18

2002 RiCE Paid Client Invoices

box

19-20

2003 RiCE Paid Client Invoices

box

2001, June RiCE Paid Client Invoices

box

2000-2001, RiCE IDT's/Deposits

box

23-26

2001 Vendor invoices

box

2002-2003 Vendor invoices

box

2002-2003 Vendor invoices & 2001/03 IDT's Deposits

box

2001-2003 IDT's & 2001/2002 Vendor Invoices

box

2001-2003 Vendor Invoices