A Historic Welcome: The Reopening of Carrier Library Nears
Posted July 27, 2026 in Carrier Renovation News, Featured News, Giving to JMU Libraries News, JMU Libraries News
We are so excited to welcome you back to a beautifully restored and reimagined Carrier Library on Monday, August 3!
As a memory institution, we reflect on the building’s history even as we look forward to its future. Our “Carrier in Context” visual history highlights key milestones in the story of JMU Libraries, including:
- Originally named Madison Memorial Library, the building opened on September 22, 1939, with a seating capacity of 350. According to a 1939 article in The Breeze, the library was popular from the start. An editorial cartoon captioned, “Riot? No, they’ve just opened the new library,” depicted a crowd of students flocking to the door.
- Over the decades, the campus community’s connection to the library continued to grow. Through multiple renovations and additions in the 1970s and 1980s, the building remained one of JMU’s most heavily-used and beloved spaces.
- In 1984, the facility was renamed Carrier Library to honor the fourth university president, Dr. Ronald E. Carrier, and his wife, Edith J. Carrier.
- A third floor was added to Carrier Library in 1993.
- By the time Carrier closed for construction in 2023, it welcomed nearly one million visits each year.
Now, nearly 87 years after its first historic opening, Carrier Library is almost ready to begin its next chapter. We look forward to holding the doors open for you—as Dukes do for each other—starting next week!