Baker-Berry Library | Hanover

Baker-Berry Library in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the central library complex of Dartmouth College, combining the historic charm of Baker Library with the contemporary design and expanded capacity of Berry Library. This iconic structure serves as both the intellectual heart of the campus and a symbol of Dartmouth’s dedication to scholarship, research, and community engagement.

Historical Background

Originally constructed in 1928, Baker Library was funded by alumnus Foster L. Baker and designed in the Georgian Revival style, reflecting early 20th-century New England architectural traditions. The library’s expansion in 2000, which included the addition of Berry Library, addressed the growing needs of students, faculty, and researchers, integrating modern study spaces, technology, and collections while preserving the historic character of the original building.

Architecture and Design

Baker-Berry Library is renowned for its architectural blend of tradition and modernity. Baker Library retains its red-brick façade, classical columns, and symmetrical Georgian detailing, with the tower and clock standing as a visual focal point on campus. The Berry addition introduces glass, steel, and open-plan interiors, creating light-filled spaces that complement the historic library while providing contemporary functionality.

Inside, visitors encounter a balance of grand historic reading rooms, wood-paneled walls, and high ceilings alongside flexible study areas, seminar rooms, and collaborative workspaces. The juxtaposition of old and new architecture reinforces the library’s role as both a repository of history and a center for modern scholarship.

Collections and Resources

The library houses an extensive collection of over 2 million items, including books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and digital resources. Its special collections feature rare books, historical manuscripts, and archives documenting Dartmouth’s history, regional culture, and international scholarship.

Baker-Berry Library supports a wide range of academic disciplines, from the liberal arts to sciences, engineering, and professional studies. It offers access to digital databases, research tools, and technology-enabled workspaces, ensuring that students and scholars can engage with both physical and digital resources effectively.

Community and Academic Role

Baker-Berry Library functions as a vital academic and social hub. It provides spaces for quiet study, collaborative learning, faculty-student research, and public lectures. Exhibitions drawn from the library’s special collections, as well as rotating cultural displays, bring art, history, and scholarship into daily campus life.

The library’s location at the heart of Dartmouth’s campus makes it a central meeting point for students and faculty, while the surrounding quads and outdoor spaces encourage social interaction and reflection. Seasonal programming, workshops, and special events further integrate the library into the broader Hanover and Upper Valley community.

Visitor Experience

Walking through Baker-Berry Library offers a rich sensory and intellectual experience. Visitors notice the contrast between historic reading rooms and open, modern study spaces, the quiet rustle of pages alongside the soft hum of collaborative activity, and the interplay of sunlight streaming through large windows illuminating both old volumes and contemporary study areas. The clock tower serves as a navigational and symbolic landmark, visible across the campus.

Whether exploring rare manuscripts, engaging in research, or simply enjoying the serene study environment, visitors experience a sense of continuity - a link between Dartmouth’s storied past and its dynamic present.

Baker-Berry Library embodies Dartmouth College’s commitment to education, research, and community. Its combination of historic architecture, extensive collections, and modern amenities creates a layered, immersive experience, making it a centerpiece of campus life and a destination for scholars, students, and visitors alike.