Lavery Library

Completed in August 2025, the renovation of the Charles J. Lavery Library represents St. John Fisher University’s largest capital investment and a bold reimagining of the academic heart of campus. Originally built in 1975 as a concrete, inward-facing structure, the library had become disconnected from campus life and no longer supported the University’s mission of accessibility, inclusivity, and student success.

The University’s vision was to transform Lavery into a 21st-century Student Success Center that consolidates advising, tutoring, accessibility services, career planning, and research support under one roof while creating modern, flexible learning environments. The design addressed these goals by repositioning the building as a connector rather than a barrier. Two new entrances, one oriented to LeChase Commons and another to the South Quad, resolved circulation challenges, while a vertical social stair now links the levels and quads. Extensive glazing and transparent interiors fill the once-dark building with daylight, signaling welcome and belonging.

Preserving and reusing the robust 1975 structure not only retained embodied carbon but also allowed collections to be consolidated into compact shelving, freeing space for a 20 percent increase in student seating without expanding the footprint. Sustainable strategies, including high-performance glazing, native landscaping, and stormwater management systems, improve efficiency and resilience, while accessible pathways and universally inclusive design dismantle longstanding barriers.

The completed project harmonizes the permanence of the original with the warmth and openness of a contemporary academic hub. Today, Lavery Library is no longer a passive repository but a dynamic Student Success Center that fosters pride, community, and student achievement, reaffirming its role as the true heart of campus.

Client
St. John Fisher University

Size
68,100 sf

Year
2025

Interior view of a modern educational or institutional building with a wooden slat ceiling, a staircase with wooden seats, and people sitting and walking in a spacious lobby area, including a sitting area with colorful couches and a reception desk.
Office cafe or break room with large hanging white lights, ample natural light from large windows, striped booth seating, and people working on laptops and chatting.
People sitting and standing in a modern library lobby, with a reception desk labeled "Library Services" and a bookshelf.
A library study room with eight students working at desks, two standing at a whiteboard, large windows with trees outside, and bookshelves on either side.
People sitting and working on laptops and smartphones in a bright, modern cafe or waiting area with large windows, brick walls, and wooden accents.
Three students sitting on patterned armchairs in a room with large windows and brick walls, facing each other, possibly having a conversation or waiting.
People sitting and walking outside the Liberty Library building, which has large glass windows and a brick facade, with a city skyline and a church spire in the background on a clear sunny day.
Interior of a modern library or lounge area with a wooden structure, glass railing, seating, and a young woman reading a book.
Night view of a multi-story brick building with illuminated windows and outdoor seating area with tables and red umbrellas, surrounded by green lawns and pathways.