A Unique Gem in the New Carrier Library: The Grand Reading Room

Posted August 27, 2026 in Carrier Renovation News, Featured News, JMU Libraries News

A reading room can stir powerful emotions—awe, inspiration, and calm can be found in this most iconic of library spaces. In the new Carrier Library, visitors to our new Grand Reading Room are discovering a gorgeous, modern, and welcoming space.

Students in the Grand Reading Room on the first day of classes, August 2026.

“I think folks will love the feel of the room,” said Kelly Miller-Martin, Director of Facilities Operations for the Libraries. “The space will draw visitors in. It’s be dramatic, yet inviting and cozy, with so much natural light. And it has plenty of seating without feeling too crowded.”

The Grand Reading Room is on the top floor of the Jones Wing, pictured here in a January 2026 aerial photo.

Perched on the third floor in the Stan and Rosemary Jones Wing, the reading room is a unique gem. It offers breathtaking views, with large windows facing three directions. “I imagine people will love the unobstructed sightlines as they take in the beautiful mountain views to the east and west. They’ll also have the ability to see campus from a different perspective,” Miller-Martin offered. When seen from the outside at night, the reading room is a jewel-like beacon of light, highlighting the heart of the library for those passing by.

photo of the grand reading room — Setting up furniture in the Grand Reading Room in late April 2026.

With book-filled shelves, access to power outlets, and room for dozens to work at large study tables, the grand reading room is a haven for quiet focus. The ceiling’s warm, wooden finish frames the space beautifully, contributing to an inspiring and calming ambiance – a perfect spot for deep concentration.

A reader in the Grand Reading Room on the first day of classes, August 2026.

While Carrier Library will have several reading rooms and open study areas, the grand reading room is designed to be a “showpiece,” according to Miller-Martin. Her favorite aspects of the space, “its openness and expansive size,” will make it a “prime destination.”

The Grand Reading Room under construction as of June 2024.

Architects collaborated closely with students, staff, faculty, and library representatives to plan the reading room. They worked to design the space according to the stated desires for natural light and books in a modern yet classic setting. The result is reading room that connects Dukes to the stories of the past, the beauty of JMU’s campus, and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley.

Looking from a high point of the Carrier Library construction site towards Massanutten Mountain with rays of setting sunshine piercing clouds — Gorgeous view of west campus, Rose Library, and Massanutten Mountain from the Grand Reading Room under construction.

Story originally posted on June 6, 2024. Updated on May 13, 2026 and August 27, 2026, to add new photos.