Cornell Reunion 2026 visitors will find plenty to explore at Mann Library, from conversations about books and reading to exhibits highlighting efforts to address Earth’s biodiversity crisis.
Throughout Reunion weekend, Mann will offer a variety of programs and experiences designed to reconnect alumni with the library while showcasing current collections, research, and public engagement initiatives.
Big Red Reads Reunion Gathering
On Friday, June 5, from 2-3pm, Cornell University Library will host a special in-person gathering for members of the Big Red Reads book club and anyone who enjoys discussing books. Held in the Edith A. Ellis Collection browsing corner on the first floor of Mann Library, the informal tea-time event will bring together alumni and visitors for conversation about favorite reads, book clubs, and the joy of reading. The first five attendees will receive a complimentary prize book.
Open House at Mann Library
On Saturday, June 6, from 9am–12pm, Mann Library will open its doors to alumni, families, and friends for a family-friendly open house. Visitors can explore the library’s distinctive Art Deco-inspired spaces, discover unique collections in the life sciences, view historical illustrated treasures, participate in hands-on making activities, and learn about current exhibitions. Tours will be available on demand, and guests can take part in a U.S. natural history discovery challenge designed for visitors of all ages. Whether returning to a favorite study spot or visiting for the first time, alumni will have the opportunity to experience the library as a place for curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Exploring Biodiversity Through Exhibits
Reunion visitors can also visit Mann Library’s current exhibit installations, which includes three exhibits examining biodiversity loss and conservation efforts. These exhibits are part of Cornell University Library’s From the Brink exhibit series, which features exhibits across different libraries on campus and in close partnership with other departments and groups on campus. From the Brink showcases collections, research support, and collaborative efforts across Cornell and illuminate ways of addressing issues of critical, global importance.
Last Call: Bird Decline and the Threat of Extinction
This gallery exhibition explores the dramatic decline of bird populations and highlights research at Cornell aimed at understanding and addressing species loss. Drawing on resources from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library and the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates, the exhibit examines how natural history collections contribute to conservation efforts at both species and ecosystem levels. The Mann Gallery can be found on the second floor of the library.
Keeping Common Birds Common: Birds and Habitat at Cornell Botanic Gardens and Beyond
Developed in collaboration with Cornell Botanic Gardens, this installation features striking wildlife photography by Marie Read and demonstrates how habitat conservation, native plant gardening, and thoughtfully managed landscapes can help support bird populations. The exhibit emphasizes the important role that communities and individuals can play in protecting the birds that inhabit local environments. Visitors can view this exhibit in the Top Shelf Gallery, on the first floor of Mann Library.
Going to Gone: Earth’s Biodiversity Loss and What We Can Do
Located in the Mann Library lobby, this exhibit draws on historical illustrations from Cornell University Library collections to explore the causes of biodiversity decline and emerging efforts to reverse current trends. By connecting historical perspectives with contemporary research, the exhibit encourages visitors to consider both the challenges and possibilities facing conservation in the twenty-first century.
All Reunion visitors are welcome. The exhibits will be on view throughout Reunion weekend on the first and second floors of Mann Library during the library’s operating hours: mann.library.cornell.edu/full-hours.
