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The UWRC provides students with a number of resources to support your learning, including a computer lab, library, printing and copying services, computer and camera rentals, and more.

Accessible Accordion

Student Computer Lab

The student computer lab is located on the fourth floor of the UWRC.  It is equipped with 12 desktop workstations (both Macs and PCs), connected to a high speed network, color and black & white laser jet printers, scanners, and a photocopier.

Tables with desktop computers on topTables with desktop computers on top

Students may also check out portable devices such as laptops, video cameras, and projectors for course-related projects. The student computer lab is open Monday – Friday 8:45 AM to midnight, and weekend hours may be arranged through the UWRC Office. Since the lab is intended primarily for academic use, students should limit their usage for personal email or web browsing and may not use the computers for Skype or other video calling.

Faculty Office

The faculty office provides PCs, Macs, printers, scanners, photocopier, and work spaces for faculty and teaching assistants.

Wireless

There is password protected wireless access throughout the UWRC facility.

Plugging in electrical equipment

Most power sources for laptops and other devices have built in universal power converter that changes the electrical current from 110V (U.S.), and you will only need a plug adaptor in order to insert the US plug into the Italian round-prong outlet. Plug adaptors can easily be bought in Italy; the UWRC office sells them for 2.50 euros.  Before coming to Rome check that your devices indicate “Input: AC 100-240 V”.

Computer repair

Bring your system install discs, any software, and serial numbers you might need in case your computer crashes. The Rome Center cannot provide software, and English-language versions of popular programs and operating systems are not always easily found in stores. The Rome Center office can provide names and addresses of computer repair shops in Rome.

Library Hours

Monday – Sunday: 7 am – midnight

About the Library

The UWRC Library is a large collection of over 4000 volumes, 250 English or subtitled films, and a wide selection of periodicals focusing primarily on architecture, art, art history, business, and the humanities and social sciences.

UWRC Library with white bookshelves and tables with chairsUWRC Library with bookshelves and tables

Much of the collection is in English, focused on Italy-related and especially Roman subjects. The library provides an excellent environment for research, study, or for browsing our volumes, that are classified by the Library of Congress system and searchable in our UWRC Library Catalog.

The UWRC has compiled the list below of our favorite bookstores and libraries in Rome, offering a range of books in English and Italian.

Libraries

Bookstores

In order to print, you will need the Student ID and password given to you on the laminated card at check in. This card must be returned at check out, and there is a €5 charge for lost or non-returned cards. You are responsible for the costs of all prints made on your account.

You may add money to your account in the UWRC Office. In addition, please note:

  • Suggested minimum prepay of €2.00
  • A4 b&w: €0.15/page, color: €0.75/page
  • A3 b&w: €0.30/page, color €1.50/page
  • Remaining credit reimbursed at check out

Logging in to print:

  • All PCs require log in
  • Macs do not require initial log in, but you will be prompted to do so

Use RICO printer for b&w, and the HP printer for color.

DO NOT SAVE YOUR PASSWORD AND ALWAYS LOG OUT, OTHERWISE THE NEXT USER CAN ACCESS YOUR CREDIT.

For photocopying services, come to the UWRC Office.

The UWRC Office has a range of electronics and other equipment available for rent by students, including Mac and PC laptops, portable DVD players, digital cameras, projectors, camcorders, tripods and acoustic guitars. A €50 deposit is required, and is fully refundable upon return of the equipment in the same condition in which is was checked out.

  • Only UW Rome Center students enrolled in a UW or partner institution study abroad program are permitted to check out UWRC equipment.
  • Equipment will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis from the time the request was placed. The maximum check out period of equipment is five business days. It is possible to renew the equipment in the event that there is no waitlist.
  • You are fully responsible for the care, operation and safe return of all equipment, including all accessories such as cases, power/connectivity cables, etc., until it is returned to the UWRC Office.
  • Keep equipment in your physical possession at all times. Do not lend the equipment to classmates or friends while it is checked out under your name. Do not take equipment on trips or to other locations other than those specifically approved by the UWRC Office.
  • You are responsible for the full replacement cost or full repair cost in the event of loss or damage to the equipment and/or accessories while it is checked out in your name. This includes loss of the equipment due to any cause, including theft.
  • If equipment and/or any related accessories is/are lost or broken, please notify the UWRC staff parts immediately.
  • You are responsible for backing up any files that are created on laptop computers. Files left on the laptop will be deleted by UWRC staff upon return.

Other equipment available from the UWRC Office that does not require a deposit include power point remotes, laser pointers, camera card readers and movies.

Receiving mail

You may receive mail at the UWRC while studying abroad. If family and friends want to send you letters or packages, please make sure they include your name, program name and the UWRC in the address information.

Student mail should be addressed as follows:

YOUR NAME
PROGRAM NAME
c/o University of Washington Rome Center
Piazza del Biscione 95
00186 Roma Italia

Students are advised to not change your official mailing or billing address for voting materials, credit card or bank statements, etc., as the process to change your address back again to the US once you leave Rome is quite laborious. If you would like assistance with voting abroad, please visit VoteFromAbroad.org.

Receiving packages 

The U.S. Postal Service is the best way for your family and friends to send non-urgent packages to Italy. Please keep in mind that it typically takes between two to four weeks – and often longer – for packages mailed from the U.S. to arrive at the UWRC. FedEx, UPS or DHL are recommended for more urgent shipments. Students are responsible for any applicable Customs tax when claiming packages. This charge ranges between €10 to €70 or more.

Important Customs Information

  • Customs fees on packages arriving in Italy from the U.S. are based on the value of the contents as determined by the Italian Post Office and Customs regulations PLUS the cost of shipping. These charges can be quite expensive, even for items marked “Used Personal Effects”.
  • Since insuring a package calls attention to its possible value, senders might consider not insuring the package and/or declaring only a minimal value (e.g., $30) of the contents.
  • Sender should clearly indicate the cost of shipping; otherwise, Italian Customs will estimate this cost and their estimate is often higher than the actual cost.
  • Packages may be opened by Customs at random. Those not stopped for duty will be delivered to the UWRC. If Customs has questions about the contents of a package, they will send correspondence to your attention at the address provided.
  • NO MEDICATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins. Such items, if declared or detected, may not be delivered. If you urgently need prescription medications while in Rome, please contact the UW Rome Center Office.
  • Packages containing FOOD OF ANY TYPE (e.g., packaged, processed, homemade) or COSMETIC PRODUCTS are subject to Customs inspection. A handling fee is automatically charged, and you must complete a complicated payment process in order for the package to be released. We know that favorite foods are a staple of the traditional “care package”, but please be forewarned of the potential costs and slow delivery time of such packages. (And remember, you can buy peanut butter and Doritos in Italy!)

Receiving express courier shipments

  • Courier packages (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) should be addressed as indicated above. Sending them “c/o of the UW Rome Center” allows the UW Rome Center Office to receive your package on your behalf.
  • Include the Rome Center’s phone number on the courier waybill (06-686-8807).

Mail received after you leave Rome

  • Letters will be forwarded to students’ departments for 1 quarter only. After this, mail will be refused and will be returned to sender.
  • The UWRC Office cannot receive packages on your behalf after your program has ended. Packages received after your program will be refused or discarded in the event that they are accepted by the building porter. We suggest that friends and family not to send packages during the last 4 to 5 weeks of your program.