Guerrieri Academic Commons

Salisbury University’s Blackwell Library was in dire need of an upgrade. Having outgrown its original space in Holloway Hall in 1957, SU’s library had continued to expand in Blackwell Library which housed the University’s collections and offered computers and study space to the increasing student population. As years passed, the library collection surpassed the available space in Blackwell and the need for a new, updated space became apparent.

In 2014, ground was broken for a four story academic commons, which would serve as the school’s new library building. It would also house additional student facilities not included in Blackwell Library. The Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons opened in September 2016, and was dedicated in memory of university alumna and donor Patricia R. Guerrieri, whose family had donated $8 million to the new building’s construction and collections.

The first floor of the building has three entrances from the east, south, and west. Facing Route 13, the east entrance opens to an exhibit space populated with materials from the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, housed on the building’s fourth floor. The south entrance opens to the library’s late night study area, the Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company (a coffee shop), Hungry Minds Express (a satellite dining option) and the library’s reference and circulation desks. Facing Red Square, the west entrance opens to “the pit,” the library’s primary computer lab and study area. In addition to library services, there are classrooms, group study rooms, conference rooms, offices, printing facilities, a Maker Lab (a hub for experimenting with new technologies including 3-D printing and scanning capabilities, virtual reality access, and single-board computers and microcontrollers), and additional computer labs. 

The second floor is home to a series of group study rooms, which can be reserved by the hour. It also houses student academic services including the Center for Student Achievement, Math Emporium, TRiO, and Writing Center. Also on the second floor is the Office of Instructional Design and Delivery, which provides faculty support as well as audio and recording studios for instructors engaged in distance learning. Lastly, there is a Graduate Commons, a space reserved for the university’s growing number of graduate students.

The third floor contains the library’s stacks. The stacks are designated as silent study areas. The computers and tables outside of the enclosed stacks are for quiet study. The third floor also has two classrooms designated for use by Salisbury University’s Honors College.

The fourth floor of the academic commons is home to the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. The Nabb Center has a permanent exhibit on life on Delmarva as well as an additional space that features a new exhibit each semester. Inside the Nabb Center are non-circulating stacks, local history archives, computers, a classroom, and microfilm collection. The Nabb Center is also home to the Salisbury University archives and Special Collections and an archaeology lab. While the Nabb Center is its primary feature, the fourth floor also houses a collection storage space, conference room, and a 400 seat assembly hall. For an immersive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Nabb Center, click "Take the Tour" at the top of this page.

The Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons building features unique architecture and incorporates colors and styles representing the Eastern Shore. Over “the pit” is a 64 foot atrium lit by skylights and a glass wall facing Red Square. While elevators are available, ascending all floors of the building is a staircase arranged in the shape of a crab. The building is topped off by a 20,000 square foot lawn on its roof, and has a 147-foot carillon tower, housing a 48 bell instrument that was donated by William Church. 

Salisbury University. SU Officially Opens $117M Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons, Salisbury University. September 1st 2016. Accessed July 29th 2020. https://www.salisbury.edu/news/article/SU-Officially-Opens-117M-Patricia-R-Guerrieri-Academic-Commons.