Library News: Newsletter 
Alderman, Swem, Cabell, McConnell, Wilder, Johnson, Newman, Tompkins-McCaw, Boatwright, Lyman Beecher Brooks and Claude Moore are among Virginia academic libraries.
Now, they share a new commonality.
Any member of the VCU community--student, faculty or staff--can walk into any of these participating libraries and others, prove affiliation with VCU and enjoy immediate borrowing privileges. This convenience might prove particularly helpful for traveling researchers or students visiting their hometowns on school breaks.
The pilot program for the 2013-14 academic year is through the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) consortium.
List of participating institutions
VCU borrowers at other participating libraries will be asked to login to
- Faculty/Staff Directory: http://my.vcu.edu/
- Student Directory: http://blackboard.vcu.edu/
An update on our plans from University Librarian John E. Ulmschneider, Associate University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development Jeanne M. Hammer and the VCU Libraries Office of Communications and Public Relations.
Last week, the VCU Libraries community tangibly heard and felt our near future: The rat-a-tat-tat of jackhammers at dawn. A crew was exploring how the concrete aggregate panels are attached to Cabell Library in order to finalize construction specs for the new library on the Monroe Park Campus.
Experiencing the exploratory demolition, the reality of a new library came into clearer focus. We are on schedule to break concrete - literally - in March, 2014 with construction ramping up during the summer. The new building will be complete for fall semester 2015.
And, in answer to the most common question we hear: Cabell Library will remain open, offering full, around-the-clock services to VCU students and faculty during the construction. And, we'll also make earplugs available.
Updates and details
- Virgina's Department of Planning and Budget and Bureau of Capital Outlay Management have approved a budget of $50,800,000. Following that approval, the Virginia College Building Authority last week successfully concluded a bond issue that provides the actual funds. That means the money for the building is now available, and will be transferred to VCU very shortly.
- The Boston/Richmond team of Shepley Bulfinch/Moseley/KSA/AEI are our designers, architects and engineers. W.M. Jordan will provide construction management.
- 90 percent of the new space is for users, not staff or materials.
- See all the details and drawings of the design.
Design decisions and highlights
Concepts for configuring the new and old buildings were carefully considered. Our choice maximizes every nook in the old building and offers exciting new spaces in the new.
The new building entranceway faces Shafer Court and opens onto The Compass--the psychic center of Monroe Park campus. The trees and green space on the Cathedral side of the library will be preserved. More details:
- A dedicated space for faculty and graduate students will enjoy an inspirational view, looking east from the fourth floor.
- Media creation space on the lowest level will provide access to state of the art and experimental audio and video content, visual and graphic design and production tools, 3D printers, and other advanced media resources to support academic projects, including high-end computers for video manipulation and data visualization, along with advanced immersive technology spaces.
- An expanded Starbucks will remain integrated with the library.
- A large, flexible, media-rich presentation and event space will provide a stage for many academic programs and VCU events.
- Artwork, exhibits and event space will showcase VCU's arts programs.
- Instructional spaces will incorporate robust technology and flexible furnishings.
- Expanded space for Cabell's Special Collections and Archives will allow easier access and more use of these rare materials.
- Glass facades will reveal interior activity, creating a welcoming beacon that draws the VCU community into the library.
- Street levels will provide pedestrian-scaled facades that welcome the campus into the building and engage with adjacent outdoor space.
- Pedestrian flow into and around the new building will be flexible, open, and free-flowing. The design minimizes obstacles to pedestrian traffic from the new classroom building north to Shafer Court, and from The Compass west, north, and south. The east pedestrian traffic approach should not be affected.
- The building design is targeting LEED Silver certification at a minimum.
Research data has unrealized potential. 
It is often relegated to lab notebooks or isolated computers. It is often inaccessible beyond personnel working on a research project, whether basic scientist or social scientist. As our world has become more networked, more funders require that scientists present a plan for data management as a condition of funding and peer reviewed journals often require authors to make the data behind a publication accessible on request. These are among the factors that influenced the VCU Libraries to create a new professional position of Director for Research Data Managment.
Margaret E. Henderson is taking on that new role. As an adjunct faculty member for several years at Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Henderson has served as a research and education librarian. Since 2006, she has worked part-time for VCU School of Medicine's Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology on digital asset management for scientific data and images, among other activities.
With that work and her previous service as the director of the Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory Library and Archives, Henderson brings to the new position deep knowledge about the research process, managing data, informatics and the VCU research community.
"Research data management is a dynamic area of growth for VCU Libraries and we are establishing a framework for the integration of knowledge management into the research data lifecycle," said Associate University Librarian and Tompkins-McCaw Director Teresa L. Knott.
Librarians have long organized knowledge-based information for search, retrieval and sharing. "Now, by being involved at the beginning of the research process, librarians can assist in the research enterprise and share their expertise earlier in the research process." Knott said. "Ms. Henderson will help researchers develop strong data management plans for project proposals; recommend a process to assign metadata or an appropriate ontology to enhance data sharing; identify options for data storage and curation; and advise on author's rights."
Henderson holds a graduate certificate in biomedical informatics from Oregon Health and Sciences University, the master's in library and information science and the bachelor's of science from the University of Western Ontario.
Contact Information
Stephen R. Bissette, one of the biggest names in the comics industry today, comes to VCU to speak on Monday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Grace Street Theater. Bissette's many contributions to graphic storytelling include the landmark "Saga of the Swamp Thing" from DC Comics and the comics anthology series "Taboo," in the pages of which some of the comics industry's most important works, such as Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's "From Hell," first appeared. Bissette will speak about his varied career as a comics creator and also an editor and publisher, as well as his ventures into other areas of the visual and literary arts. The event will be followed by a book sale and signing. The event is cosponsored by the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, Communication Arts in the VCU School of the Arts and VCU Libraries. See also the event Facebook page.
About the Artist
Stephen R. Bissette has won many industry awards as cartoonist, writer, editor and publisher. He is renowned for "Saga of the Swamp Thing"; the comics anthology series "Taboo," in which "From Hell," "Lost Girls" and "Throat Sprockets" originated; "1963" and "Tyrant." With Alan Moore and John Totleben, he co-created the popular character John Constantine who would inspire the "Hellblazer" and "Constantine" comic series and the "Constantine" movie starring Keanu Reeves. Bissette also created the world's second 24-Hour Comic, invented by Scott McCloud as a challenge for Bissette. His novel "Aliens: Tribes," illustrated by Dave Dorman, won a Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writer's Association. He recently contributed the short story Copper to "The New Dead" (St. Martin's Press, 2010), co-authored "Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman" with Christopher Golden and Hank Wagner (St. Martin's Press, 2008) and illustrated "The Vermont Monster Guide" (University Press of New England, 2009), and he is currently packaging and co-editing with Tim Stout "Tales of the Uncanny: A Naut Comics History, vol. 1" and completing the art instructional book "S.R. Bissette's How to Make a Monster," forthcoming from Watson-Guptill/Ten Speed.
Bissette is a pioneer graduate of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art and currently teaches at the Center for Cartoon Studies. His papers reside in Huie Library Special Collections at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ar. Visit his weekly blog.
VCU Libraries has a commitment to collecting 
with various Richmond communities firmly in mind. Many of these collections are in the arena of new social history--materials, interpretations and scholarship that illuminate the culture, stories and realities of sometimes hidden or ignored people.
"Migrating Archives: LGBT Delegates from Collections around the World" approaches queer history through the vantage points of some 10 individual stories. This innovative show from San Francisco's GLBT History Museum merges art and history, archives and real lives. It combines evocative materials, photos and artifacts that portray the experiences of queer individuals from the past.
One of those stories is about Richmond writer Hunter Stagg. Stagg's papers, housed at Cabell Library's Special Collections and Archives, include correspondence with poet Langston Hughes and the mother of modernism, Gertrude Stein. (Photo of Stagg, VCU Libraries)
Special Collections and Archives Head Wesley Chenault, Ph.D., organized the visit of the exhibition. "Since VCU has a top-tier arts school and because we have permanent holdings documenting Richmond's LGBTQ community, this exhibition is a perfect fit for us. We see students and faculty utilizing our collections almost daily for research and creative expression. This exhibit, then, places these activities within a broader context and history of artists interacting with archives and engaging communities."
Artist and academic, E.G. Crichton curated the exhibition, a travelling version of the original 20-panel show from the San Francisco museum. She is artist-in-residence at the GLBT History Museum. As a professor at the University of Southern California, Santa Cruz, she teaches intermedia and photography in the art department as well as project design studio in the digital arts and new media graduate program.
In her work, she makes use of a range of art strategies, mediums and technologies to explore social issues and specific histories. Archives of one kind or another serve as both starting point and infrastructure, and creative collaboration across disciplines is often a critical component.
Migrating Archives: LGBT Delegates from Collections around the World
- October 21, 2013-December 31, 2013
- First Floor
- James Branch Cabell Library
Curator's Talk, Oct. 21, 2 p.m., Room 250, Cabell Library
Artist and academic E.G. Crichton discusses her visionary exhibit. Seating is limited. VCU's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David W. Hanson will make introductory remarks.
Projects from "Digital Archaeology in the Virtual Curation Laboratory: 3D Scanning and Research at VCU" will be on display beginning Oct. 18 in James Branch Cabell Library.
VCU students are working with project director Bernard K. Means, Ph.D., in the Virtual Curation Laboratory in Lafayette Hall. They use state-of-the-art technology to create digital models of archaeological objects from across the globe. Using a NextEngine Desktop 3D scanner and a MakerBot Replicator, they bring innovation to teaching and research.
The 2013 VCU Friends of the Library book sale will be held Oct. 21-25 at James Branch Cabell Library.
2013 Book Sale Hours
- Monday, Oct. 21: Noon-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 23: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 24: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. **Special ½ price sale
- Friday, Oct. 25: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.**Special ½ price sale
- Preview sale for VCU Friends of the Library donors: Monday, Oct. 21: 9 a.m.-Noon
VCU Libraries will present Advance Your Research on Tuesday, Oct. 15, a full day of walk-in workshops for graduate students and faculty designed to help make their research process better, faster and smarter. Sessions are free and open to all. First come, first seated. Details
Topics include:
- Academic publishing
- Copyright
- Google for scholars
- Grey Literature
- Online scholarly materials
- Refworks
- Zotero
- Liaisons
- Literature reviews
- Elevator pitches
- Impact factors
"We know from the conversations we have with graduate students and faculty that VCU researchers need these kinds of sessions," said Bettina Peacemaker, assistant head for academic outreach. "They want to streamline their research process, and we have resources that will make their work easier. So, we designed a day filled with the kind of information we've been providing in one-on-one consultations or in classroom settings."
Schedule of Workshops
8:15 a.m. Check-in opens.
8:30 a.m. Resources for Your Research: Enjoy a light breakfast, network and discover research resources around campus.
9:30 a.m. Make an Impact: Finding the Right Journal for Your Research: Understand what a journal impact factor is, what it is not and how to use it. You'll discover other techniques and resources to find just the right journal for your research.
10:30 a.m. Three-Second Thesis: Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Think about how to explain your ideas to others. Learn to reel off your research plans and proposals to grant administrators, potential collaborators, bigwigs and your grandma.
11:30 a.m. Better Reference Management through Technology: Save time, toil and trouble by organizing your sources and references using RefWorks, Zotero and other online resources.
12:30 p.m. Lunch with Your Librarian: Join us for lunch and informal conversations about your work with library colleagues. Please email or register if you plan to stay for lunch so we can prepare for everyone.
2 p.m.: Learn to Love Your Lit Review: Learn how to locate the important literature on your topic, track down citations and organize them effectively.
3 p.m. Let Me Google That for You: How to Make the Web Work for Your Research: Leverage common web tools to find so-called "grey literature" and online scholarly material, understand key players, stay up to date and put yourself out there.
4 p.m. Can I Publish That? Working with Images and Media: Become more familiar with the parameters of copyright for images and media and the procedures for using these materials in academic publishing.
More about Academic Outreach at VCU Libraries
Have questions? Want to schedule a one-on-one consultation? VCU librarians specialize in your fields. Please call or email us. We're here to help you succeed in your academic pursuits:
- go.vcu.edu/mylibrarian
- library.vcu.edu/askus
- 804-828-8960
James Sturm, award-winning creator of graphic novels such as "Market Day" and "The Golem's Mighty Swing," visited VCU this past September to give a special lecture to the local community of comics and art enthusiasts. Sturm described the arc of his career, noting his influences and inspirations, and commented on the discipline necessary for succeeding in the comics industry. The event is cosponsored by the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, Communication Arts in the VCU School of the Arts and VCU Libraries.
About the Artist
Sturm's major solo debut came in 1991, when Fantagraphics began publishing his Eisner Award-nominated comic-book series "The Cereal Killings." The same year, he completed a Master of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, moved to Seattle and co-founded the alternative weekly newspaper The Stranger. During the next five years he was the art director of The Stranger and collaborated with syndicated columnist Dan Savage to produce two issues of the comic book "Savage Love." In 1996, Sturm received a Xeric grant for his comic "The Revival."
From 1997 to 2001, he lived in Savannah, Ga., where he taught at the Savannah College of Art and Design in the sequential-art department. In 1998, Drawn and Quarterly published his "Hundreds of Feet Below Daylight," the second installment in a trilogy of American historical-fiction pieces that would later be collected in "America: God, Gold and Golems." The last installment, the celebrated and best-selling graphic novel "The Golem's Mighty Swing," was named "Best Comic" for 2001 by Time magazine. Sturm also wrote and designed the 2004 Eisner Award-winning "Unstable Molecules," a four-issue series and trade paperback that featured characters based on the Fantastic Four and was published by Marvel Comics.
Sturm is the director of the Center for Cartoon Studies, a two-year cartooning school located in White River Junction, Vt. His most recent books include "Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow"; "Adventures in Cartooning," created in collaboration with Center for Cartoon Sturies alumni Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost, and "Market Day." His writings and illustrations have appeared in scores of national and regional publications including The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Onion, The New York Times, Slate and The New Yorker.
VCU Libraries hosts a wide variety of exhibits throughout the academic year. Some are traveling exhibits, and others are original, featuring materials from our own collections or created by others in the VCU community. All exhibits are free and open to the public, and most are accessible during all normal library hours.
Additional rotating exhibits may be found on the fourth floor of Cabell Library, both in the exhibit area near the elevators and in Special Collections and Archives, and in the Special Collections Reading Room at Tompkins-McCaw Library. Special Collections and Archives also curates online exhibits that can be found on our website.
2013-2014 Major Exhibits
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Rams Reaching Out
Through Sept. 30, 2013, at Tompkins-McCaw Library
Photographs submitted by VCU Health Sciences students, depicting their outreach activities and service work from urban Richmond to the faraway shores of West Africa (Details)
Constitution Week Exhibit
Sept. 17-23, 2013, at Cabell Library
Opportunities for library patrons to discover connections between the US Constitution and the constitutions of other nations around the world
Digital Archaeology in the Virtual Curation Laboratory: 3D Scanning and Research at VCU
Oct. 2013, in Cabell Library
Display of student work produced, under project director Bernard K. Means, using state-of-the-art technology
Migrating Archives: LGBT Delegates from Collections around the World
Oct.-Dec. 2013, in Cabell Library
Materials from archives around the world, documenting histories and personal stories of LGBT communities and revealing how institutions work to collect and preserve important cultural objects
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Discover Magic: Photographs by Jeanne Schlesinger
Oct. 2013-Feb. 2014, in Tompkins-McCaw Library
Photographs by the director of instructional development for the VCU School of Medicine, featuring closeup views of nature that reveal the magic that is often hidden in plain sight
Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia 100th Anniversary Exhibit
Dec. 2013-May 2014, in Cabell Library
Materials from the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia archives, which are now housed in James Branch Cabell Library
Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons
March 17-April 26, 2014, in Tompkins-McCaw Library
A traveling exhibit highlighting four contemporary pioneer African American surgeons and educators who exemplify excellence in their fields and believe in continuing the journey of excellence through the education and mentoring of young African Americans pursuing medical careers
