Libraries have been at the center of our work since the earliest days of Eustis Chair. For more than three decades, our focus has been to build hardwood library chairs that stand up to the heaviest institutional use without sacrificing beauty or comfort. A traditional library chair often faces more strain than any other type of seating on a campus. Foot traffic is constant, students work for long hours at reading tables, and facilities teams rely on furniture that requires minimal repair or replacement.
This understanding is behind every library chair we design. Every Eustis library chair is engineered for high-use spaces and constructed in the United States from sustainably sourced North American hardwoods. Our proprietary Eustis Joint® uses concealed steel rods and a precise application of retrograde epoxy to create joints that are stronger than the wood itself. This advanced joinery allows us to offer a twenty-year warranty against joint failure, a level of reliability that has helped define Eustis Chair’s reputation for durability.
Learn more about how the Eustis Joint works: https://www.eustischair.com/about-us/history/
For libraries that see hundreds or even thousands of visitors each day, long-term performance is not simply a desire. It is essential. Our philosophy has always been that the most sustainable product is the one that does not need to be replaced. This principle guides our work with academic libraries across the country, from public institutions to private universities and schools.
Williams College and the Sawyer Library Project
A campus steeped in tradition with a commitment to exceptional design
Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, is known for its academic rigor and its investment in distinctive architectural projects. When the college began planning a major renovation and modernization of its Sawyer Library, it sought furniture that would honor the campus aesthetic while meeting the long-term functional needs of a busy academic library. The college partnered with Leslie Saul and Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson in Philadelphia, two firms recognized for thoughtful, human-centered academic design. Their goal was to create a library interior that blended historic character with contemporary study needs.
Eustis Chair was selected to build the seating for this renewed space. Williams College chose two hardwood chair designs for Sawyer Library. Both are featured in our academic seating portfolio: https://eustischair.com/installations/academic/
The Novato
A classic choice for traditional library settings
The Novato is one of our most established traditional library chairs. It features a strong vertical slat back, a sculpted hardwood seat, and the unmistakable warmth of American crafted hardwood. Its look is timeless and pairs naturally with reading tables, carrels, and quiet study rooms.
See the Novato and other library chairs here: https://www.eustischair.com/all-chair-gallery/
For Williams College, the Novato met the need for a chair that would complement the traditional architectural vocabulary of Sawyer Library. Its classic form feels at home in historic academic settings while its Eustis Joint construction ensures decades of dependable service.
The Jenkins
A contemporary option that supports modern study habits
To balance the traditional elements of the Novato, the project team also incorporated the Jenkins chair. This chair is one of our more contemporary designs and is often chosen for updated libraries and student learning centers. The Jenkins offers clean lines, a supportive back, and a profile that works well with open sightlines and bright, modern interiors.
Explore the Jenkins: https://www.eustischair.com/all-chair-gallery/
The pairing of the Novato and the Jenkins reflects the nature of the new Sawyer Library itself. It is a space where the heritage of Williams College meets the evolving needs of today’s students. Each design plays a role in creating a library that welcomes every type of learner.
Why Libraries Choose Eustis Chair
A traditional library chair is often used ten hours a day by countless patrons. Academic libraries rely on chairs that are stable, comfortable, and able to withstand constant movement. That is why institutions such as the Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library’s Rose Reading Room have chosen our hardwood library seating.
See more library installations: https://eustischair.com/installations/public-library/
Our chairs are specified by architects and designers for three core reasons.
First, they offer a timeless aesthetic that suits both historic and contemporary spaces. Second, the Eustis Joint® provides unmatched durability and allows us to stand behind our chairs with an industry-leading warranty. Third, every chair is crafted in the United States from sustainably harvested wood, making Eustis Chair a lasting, environmentally responsible solution for institutions committed to longevity.
Commitment to Sustainable American Manufacturing
Eustis Chair remains one of the only library chair manufacturers building exclusively in the United States. We source our hardwoods from responsibly managed American forests and assemble every chair in our Massachusetts facility. Our sustainability approach is outlined here: https://www.eustischair.com/about-us/sustainability/
For colleges and universities that value stewardship, American craftsmanship, and long-term campus investment, this approach resonates deeply.