HWS News
6 August 2026 Warren Hunting Smith Library Named 2026 Academic Library of the Year
Regional honor recognizes the library's excellence in service, innovation and support of teaching and learning.
Warren Hunting Smith Library at Hobart and William Smith has been named the 2026 Academic Library of the Year by the Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC), recognizing the library's exceptional service, innovation and contributions to the campus community.
Presented annually, the RRLC Library of the Year Awards honor libraries throughout the Finger Lakes region that demonstrate excellence in library service, programming and community engagement. Warren Hunting Smith Library was selected as this year's recipient in the academic library category.
"Being selected as Library of the Year is a tremendous honor and a meaningful recognition of the vital role our library plays in promoting student success, supporting faculty research, and creating inclusive spaces where the entire HWS community can learn, collaborate, and thrive," says Library Director Chuck Vesei. "I am especially proud of our dedicated library staff, whose expertise, hard work, and commitment make this achievement possible every day. It's a great feeling to have our library recognized in this manner."
As part of the recognition, the library will receive a $500 award and a commemorative plaque or banner to display in the library. Staff members will also be invited to share their work during RRLC's annual member event this fall.
The award highlights the library's role as a central academic resource at Hobart and William Smith, supporting student learning, faculty scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to providing access to extensive print and digital collections, the library offers research consultations, information literacy instruction, archival resources, digital scholarship support and collaborative learning spaces that enhance the academic experience across the Colleges.
Throughout the academic year, librarians work closely with faculty to integrate research skills into coursework while helping students develop critical thinking and information literacy skills that prepare them for success in the classroom and beyond. The library also provides access to emerging technologies, special collections and digital resources that support teaching, research and creative inquiry.
The Rochester Regional Library Council is a nonprofit cooperative library system serving academic, public, school and special libraries across the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Through professional development, resource sharing and collaborative initiatives, RRLC works to strengthen libraries and expand access to information throughout the region.
The 2026 Academic Library of the Year designation recognizes Warren Hunting Smith Library's ongoing commitment to advancing the educational mission of Hobart and William Smith while fostering an innovative, inclusive and collaborative environment for learning and scholarship.
