David Spadafora ’72
Photo by Roman Iwasiwka

On Sept. 20, the Williams community celebrated the dedication of Sawyer Library with a musical performance, readings from selected works in the college’s collection and remarks by Dean of the College Sarah Bolton, President Adam Falk, and Newberry Library President David Spadafora ’72.

“Sawyer Library is, most fundamentally, the academic crossroads of Williams,” Falk said during his remarks. “And, as such, it is truly the heart of the college, reflecting and embodying our deepest ideals.”

Said Spadafora: “Here, reading, research, and dialogue founded on a collection brought to life by systems, experts and teachers will yield new knowledge and perhaps even new ways of knowing. … It is in fact just what we want from a real library.”

More excerpts of Spadafora’s remarks appear in “A Library in Full.” Watch the entire dedication ceremony below.