A colorful balloon arch invites visitors to the opening

The Dugan Polk Family Reading Room in Old Falvey officially opened on Monday, Oct. 17, at eleven a.m. Visitors were welcomed by Library Director Millicent Gaskell, library staff and librarians. Gaskell invited students to test the new wingback chairs and they did, commenting on how comfortable the chairs are and how much they appreciate the outlets and USB ports available there. Librarians and staff were available to answer visitors’ questions.

Visitors were treated to cupcakes and pretzels and invited to take selfies and add comments to include in a book which will be given to the donors. They were asked to sign a guest book and to fill out tickets for door prizes which include Villanova memorabilia. Will D Cat visited and invited people to pose with him for photographs.

Two rows of large tables, each with six comfortable chairs provide study space in the well-lighted room and seating for 72 students. Each table has outlets and USB ports at one end and the lamps, yet to arrive, will also have outlets. Wing back chairs are placed around three walls; each pair of chairs has outlets and USB ports.

The room is ADA accessible (during the hours the Library is open) by a ramp from the second floor Learning Commons. The Dugan Polk Family Reading Room is a twenty four hour quiet study space; students can enter using their Wildcard through Old Falvey’s newly renovated lobby after hours.

Overlooking the room is the large painting by Pietro da Cortona, “The Triumph of David.” The painting received a thorough two year-long professional conservation which brought back its rich colors and dramatic three dimensional spaces and once again hangs in the room where it first hung in the 1950s.

Students were already studying in this signature space while the opening reception was underway. And as seen on a brief visit today, students are taking full advantage of this newly renovated signature space, the Dugan Polk Family Reading Room.

Students were already studying in the room during the opening reception

Will D Cat shows off his sharp pearly whites

Student adding her selfie to donor’s gift book

Photographs by Alice Bampton, Communications and Marketing Dept.