A New Era for Lavery Library

Modernized Lavery Library Reimagines How Fisher Students Research, Study, and Gather at Iconic Campus Space

When the Pioneer Class enrolled at St. John Fisher University in 1951, they studied in a small library situated on the fourth floor of the Administration Building, today known as Kearney Hall. It took less than 25 years for the library to outgrow its space, and on January 13, 1975, Fisher opened the doors to Lavery Library, a $3 million building - 57,000 square feet in size with space for 200,000 volumes and named in honor of Rev. Charles J. Lavery, CSB, Ph.D., then Fisher president and to date, the longest serving president. Campus leaders intended for the library to serve Fisher students well into the year 2000.

Fifty years and thousands of students later, the University officially unveiled a newly modernized and renovated Lavery Library after two years of construction in time to start the fall 2025 semester. The multimillion-dollar project – the largest capital project both in scope and investment in the institution’s history – has reimagined how students will research, study, and gather at the iconic campus space.

At a ceremony held on Thursday, Sept. 4, the University community gathered to celebrate the grand reopening of the library. University leadership, including President Gerard J. Rooney; Phil Yawman, chair of the Board of Trustees; the President’s Cabinet; Father George Smith, CSB, William and Helen Cavanaugh Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies and campus chaplain; Melissa Jadlos, director of Lavery Library; Dr. Todd Sodano, chair of Faculty Assembly; and Brooke Chase, president of the Student Government Association were joined by federal, state, and local elected dignitaries for the celebratory program and ribbon-cutting to mark its grand reopening.

“Today, we celebrate not just the reopening of a space, but the culmination of a vision — one rooted in our enduring commitment to student success, innovation, and community,” said Yawman. “This transformation reflects the heart of Fisher: bold, forward-looking, and deeply connected to the students we serve. As we step into this next chapter, we remember the generations who built the foundation that is Fisher — and look ahead with excitement to those who will shape its future.”

Renovations to the library began in January 2024, following a campus-wide study of the library space and services, as well as an assessment of the needs and expectations of the students, to better understand the current state and identify opportunities for the future. The report recommended programmatic shifts in the way in which the library delivers its services, with a focus on more coordinated services and better use of space. HOLT Architects and Hamilton Stern Construction were the lead partners of the project for design concepts and construction management.

Over the course of two years, the inside and outside of Lavery Library began to transform. The library now hosts two bright and airy entrances from both LeChase Commons and Upper Quad, with added outdoor seating areas, and the new Bob ’74 and Terry Dumas Patio. With gothic arches and the recognizable Fisher brick, the library’s exterior continues the aesthetic of buildings across campus.

The interior design includes bright, welcoming public lobbies and floor to ceiling windows allowing for natural light on all three floors. A hallmark of the new design is the transformation of student workspaces to include increased lounge areas, rooms for truly quiet study, collaborative areas for group work with whiteboards and TV screens, and technology-rich classrooms. The social stairs—which connect the ground floor of the library to the second floor—offer a unique spot for students to gather and socialize. And, when the library closes at midnight, the 24-hour Study Hall—the walkway leading from the library to the Donald E. Bain Campus Center—provides around-the-clock access to a quiet study space.

The modernized design also intentionally centers librarians as teachers and resources for the campus community, bringing the research librarians out from behind the desk and into the space,  showcasing their specialized expertise in specific subjects and disciplines. A new reading room offers space for researchers to explore the library’s robust special collections and rich resource materials, now housed in state-of-the-art archival shelves. The Donna DePeters K-12 Resource Collection is modeled after a school library, providing Fisher teacher candidates an immersive environment and resources they will use as aspiring educators. Located on the third floor of the library, it features reading resources for early and advanced readers, and coursework material that will help students conduct research, create interactive lesson plans, and more. The space also houses the library’s robust collection of literature for children and young adults.

As Lavery Library has always been the “heart of campus,” the renovation brought several student services, including the Center for Career and Academic Planning (home to academic advising and career services) featuring the Davenport-Hatch Foundation Career Services Suite, Student Accessibility Services, and the Writing and Tutoring Center under its roof. With new offices, testing rooms, and meeting spaces, students can now access a variety of academic services all within the renovated library.

“As students have started using the library, I have heard overwhelmingly positive feedback. Students are delighted to have a dedicated library with varying study spaces and they are excited to take advantage of the resources available inside. The spaces are modern, light, warm, and inviting, making this the perfect place for students to foster their learning,” said Brooke Chase ’26, president of the Student Government Association. “It is evident that no details were overlooked as the new library now includes both whisper and silent study rooms, outside workspaces, and even vending machines with fresh food options. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful work that is achieved within the library as our campus community begins to use this space.”

As is tradition at ceremonies at Fisher, Fr. George Smith, CSB, William and Helen Cavanaugh Endowed Chair of Catholic Studies and campus chaplain, blessed the library. Before cutting the ribbon, Rooney offered a final word of welcome.

“It is a wonderful time to be a part of this great institution and to accompany our students — who we have the privilege to serve — on their educational journey,” Rooney said. “To my fellow members of the campus community, enjoy your new library. The doors are officially open.”