Fenwick Library

What if walls could whisper stories? Here at Fenwick Library, they practically do. Fenwick Library stands at the heart of George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. It has borne witness to generations of students, from the whispers of late-night study sessions to the triumphant slam of a finished dissertation. Originally opened in October 1967, Fenwick Library was built for a “commuter college”. It was designed to serve a large commuting student body with ever-changing needs and anticipated growth. The initial structure, envisioned by the architectural firm Vosbeck-Vosbeck & Associates, featured stark white concrete columns and brick panels. Inside, it held 31,500 square feet, space for 60,000 books, and nearly 500 readers. Imagine the scene on move-in day. Staff and student volunteers formed a human chain, transporting 20,000 volumes from the old library in the East Building to their new home in Fenwick. The library was officially dedicated on December 15, 1967, and named in honor of State Senator Charles Rogers Fenwick. Fast forward to the 1970s. George Mason College had become George Mason University. Enrollment exploded, increasing by over 500% since 1967. Fenwick Library needed to grow as well. Two towers, now known as Wings B and C, were added, expanding storage capacity by twelve times. For almost two decades, starting in the 1980s, the plaza in front of Fenwick transformed into a stage for Mason Day band performances. The vibrant music would echo through the library’s halls. More recently, a major renovation, completed in 2016, doubled Fenwick Library’s size. This modern addition, wrapping around the original towers, created new spaces for learning, collaboration, and research. Today, Fenwick Library houses over 1.5 million volumes. It’s home to the Special Collections Research Center, a treasure trove of primary research collections and university archives. Inside, you’ll find a bustling Argo Tea Cafe, collaborative study rooms equipped with MediaScape technology, a graduate study zone, and even presentation practice rooms. From its humble beginnings as a two-story structure to the vibrant hub it is today, Fenwick Library remains true to its original mission: to provide access to knowledge and foster a love of learning.