The George Lawrence Abernethy Library – Opening Fall 2027

Opening Fall 2027, the George Lawrence Abernethy Library will be a vibrant center of intellectual life at Davidson College, offering inclusive, welcoming spaces for learning, collaboration, focus, and community engagement. 

Transforming the Student Experience

The future George Lawrence Abernethy Library will offer many opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to collaborate, explore, experiment, and grow as researchers, creators, scholars, and informed citizens. Examples of these offerings include:

• Hands-on learning opportunities for students to engage with unique collections, artifacts, tools and technologies, including expanded Archives and Special Collections research and teaching facilities, a state-of-the-art Scholars Studio, Letterpress Lab and additional classrooms
• An expanded Center for Teaching and Learning for student tutoring services
• Reading rooms for focused study and quiet reading
• A faculty scholarship suite to support collaborative programs
• A rooftop café and community gathering space

Project Timeline

Collections to Inspire

• Vibrant Collections: Books remain central to the liberal arts experience. The majority of our circulating collection will return to the Abernethy Library after the renovation, with additional materials available through same-day or next-day delivery from the new Library Annex.
• Accessible for All: Thoughtfully designed book stacks at accessible heights.
• Curated for Connection: Displays that reflect and respond to campus conversations and current events.
• Organized for Discovery: Subject-based shelving to encourage browsing and discovery.

Spaces for Reading, Research, and Reflection

• Reading Rooms: Silent, low-tech room for deep focus with secure lockers for storing devices. Includes a reading lounge for deep focus, featuring antique furnishings from E.H. Little Library and a new Curiosity Collection to encourage discovery. Traditional wood-paneled reading room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and rolling ladders– ideal for quiet study.
• Study Spaces: Over seven times more reservable study rooms—30 total, ranging from quiet solo rooms to collaborative group spaces. In addition, the new library will include 42 traditional carrels and 14 study booths.
• Collaboration Spaces: Group meeting areas on every floor—plus a rooftop café and outdoor living room—to support collaboration and connection over a good cup of coffee. 

Spaces for Research, Teaching, & Learning

• Scholars Studio: A dynamic space supporting the full research lifecycle—from discovery and ideation to digital production and publication.
• Expanded Classrooms: Flexible learning spaces designed to support teaching and learning across disciplines.
• Scholarship Suite: A dedicated space for faculty and staff to focus on research, teaching and writing.
• Expanded Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL): Includes new group tutoring rooms and flexible spaces for peer-to-peer learning.

Creative & Cultural Programming

• Archives & Justice Community Room: A space for community-centered workshops and programs that highlight materials from our Archives & Special Collections.
• Rooftop Events: Attend workshops, lectures, poetry readings, and other creative programs in the rooftop pavilion.
• Art Yard: A flexible space to support creative and co-curricular projects—developed in partnership with Davidson’s Creative Arts & Engagement.
• Outdoor Classroom: A green space for class discussions, informal performances, and small group work. Includes a new rock and plant library feature.
• Exhibitions Everywhere: Curated exhibit spaces throughout the building will showcase student and faculty works, archival collections and more. 

Object-based Learning

• Archives & Special Collections Enhanced access to rare books, manuscripts, and college history to support teaching, inspire student research, and engage the public in Davidson’s history.
• The Davidson College Letterpress Lab: A space for student learning, faculty collaboration, and aesthetic production. The Lab seeks to introduce students to the historical context and contemporary applications of letterpress, especially as it intersects with the liberal arts curriculum.
• The Kaleidoscope: A vibrant programming space that brings together faculty from across disciplines to explore ideas and engage with library resources in dynamic ways.