A Reading Room For Neilson Library

New Paintings by Thomas Locker

Have you noticed the new paintings in the Reading Room? The large landscape, called "Repose" was funded by an unrestricted gift from Jill Ker Conway and by gifts from the family and classmates of Frana Larrabee Low '50. Mrs. Low worked at the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University for many years. She was devoted to Smith, and organized numerous class reunions. The two smaller paintings, "A River Valley" and "Evening Glow" are gifts from the artist Thomas Locker.

Opening and Dedication

The Friends of the Libraries Reading Room opened its doors on November 29, 2010. "This is a memorable day for all who love books," declared Susan Bourque, Esther B. Wiley Professor of Government and former provost, as she scissored the ribbon "especially for those who love libraries and who see libraries as more than repositories for our priceless human inheritance of books, but also as central to the joy and possibilities of continuous learning." 

At the dedication ceremony on April 13,2011, President Christ spoke of the special place of reading rooms in the lives of readers, describing them as “that most public of places, where one engages in the very private act of reading.” The room was named for the Friends of the Libraries in recognition of the generosity of its members who raised a majority of the funds. One of the largest gifts received came from an anonymous donor in memory of Elizabeth Jordan '29. Among alumnae donors, the Class of 1949 is particularly noteworthy thanks to the fundraising efforts of Lucy Wilson Benson '49. See all Reading Room Donors.

The Friends of the Libraries Reading Room was designed by architect Peter Lapointe of Archimetrics Design Studio with interior design by Lisa Lukas of Lukas Design.

Before

Circulation Work Room

After

The New Friends of the Libraries' Reading Room