Davis Family Library

Architecture

The Davis Family Library was built on the site of the former Science Center, in view of the historic old library, now the Donald Everett Axinn ’51 Center for Literary and Cultural Studies at Starr Library. Each of its three levels is approximately one acre, and the top two floors include mezzanines. There are 298 individual study carrels distributed throughout the building, many in four tower-like structures along the northern and southern faces.

The main level features a café and 24-hour study area near the entrance area, which includes information and service desks; a 30-seat lecture hall; 18-seat video conferencing seminar room; two 12-seat video viewing rooms; 2 computer labs; individual video viewing carrels; 851 student seats; and staff offices.

Environmental considerations and energy efficiency were incorporated in the building design and construction process. Building materials include 11,000 board feet of local certified maple and beech wood, roughly 70 percent of which was harvested from land at Middlebury’s Bread Loaf campus in Ripton.

Land Acknowledgement

Middlebury College sits on land which has served as a site of meeting and exchange among indigenous peoples since time immemorial. The Western Abenaki are the traditional caretakers of these Vermont lands and waters, which they call Ndakinna, or “homeland.” We remember their connection to this region and the hardships they continue to endure. We give thanks for the opportunity to share in the bounty of this place and to protect it.

Study & Teaching Spaces

Davis Family Library features traditional carrels, tabletops, group study rooms, lecture halls, labs, and public computers.

Library Exhibits & Displays

There are a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits found through out the building. Please feel free to wander the building, explore the displays, and enjoy our space.

Middlebury College groups and offices are encouraged to present displays of library materials to coincide with current events on campus or in the world at large. Students may also present displays related to their academic work. (Space may also be made available for displays that do not specifically feature library materials.)

The Library Atrium display space is now booked by Events Management.  Please contact them at least two weeks in advance to book the space.  If you would like to include library materials in your display, please contact Library Circulation.

Maps

Check out the Davis Family Floor Maps to locate where things are located on all three levels.