Penn State University Libraries - History

The John D. Vairo Library is named after the founding Campus Director (right). John Vairo (1920-2012), an associate professor of journalism at the university, was appointed Campus Director, effective January 1, 1967. The library occupied classroom space in the original campus facility in Chester, Pa. When the campus moved to its present location in 1970, the Library was located on the first floor of the Main Building in space now occupied by the bookstore and the Registrar's office. The current library facility opened in December 1980, was dedicated in September 1981, and was named in honor of John Vairo in September 1995. An endowment to support the growth of the collections was established to honor John Vairo on the occasion of his retirement in 1986.

To learn more about John Vairo and the early years of the Brandywine Campus, read The First Ten Years: Conversations about Penn State Delaware County, 1967 - 1977, Phyllis Cole editor.