Library News - New Library http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/ http://www.library.vcu.edu/images/vculnewslogo.gif VCU Libraries: http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/ en Copyright 2013 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:23:49 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Have your voices heard at Cabell Life Forum April 3 By Yusef Ariyibi
Member, Cabell Library Undergraduate Advisory Committee

As you may have heard, James Branch Cabell Library is preparing to undergo major changes. The plans for a new building have begun and many of us students are curious about what to expect. At 5 p.m., April 3 in the Multipurpose Room, 250, the Cabell Library Undergraduate Advisory Committee (CLUAC) and the VCU Student Government Association (SGA) will be co-sponsoring the 2013-2014 Cabell Life Forum.

Each year the Cabell Life Forum has been an amazing way for students and library administration to connect and discuss issues, share ideas and make suggestions. The Cabell Life Forum has covered various issues such as building hours and resources. The 24/5 library hours that we have been enjoying so much this past year came about, in part, due to discussions from prior Forums.

On April 3, Dennis Clark, the associate university librarian for public services, will be discussing the new library. This is an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions on what you would like the new building to encompass. Cabell Library faculty want the new building to be the perfect place for VCU students to study, research and get the best learning experience possible. Your opinion is going to be taken into great consideration.

The Cabell Life Forums have always been a great experience in my past three years at VCU. If Cabell Library is like a second home to you, I would greatly recommend you come out and join this incredible discussion. 

 






]]> http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2013/03/Cabell-Life-Forum.html http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2013/03/Cabell-Life-Forum.html Exhibits and Events Homepage Top News New Library Newsletter Top News Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:23:49 -0500 UPDATE: Building the new library for VCU's future--Preliminary designs in the works focus on student spaces

VCU is on a fast track to build a new library adjacent to James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park campus. The project will create a striking new facility on Shafer Court that will connect with the existing Cabell Library, while also renovating parts of Cabell in order to integrate old and new.

VCU Libraries embarked on the process of designing a new library building in April with the University's issuance of a Request for Proposal for an architect/engineering firm. The RFP was awarded to the team of Shepley Bullfinch and Moseley Architects, and work began in earnest with the first meeting of the architects and the University personnel on August 16. Four all-day meetings have been held with the building team, composed of representatives from the VCU Libraries, VCU Facilities Planning, and Shepley Bullfinch/Moseley. These early meetings have made rapid progress towards final design, thanks in part to space planning study completed in 2011 that identified space and services most needed in a new building.

The Process and the Timetable

The process so far has been organized around two main objectives.
  • First, the meetings worked to create a "program" for the new building: how much space to create and how to use that space. The 2011 space study provided a foundation for this work, so the team needed only to refine and confirm the overall space projections in the original study.
  • The second objective consisted largely of deciding how and where to create the new space, a process known technically as "blocking and massing." The team has worked through different schemes for where space will be created and where space will be renovated, and how those spaces will be distributed within the new and existing building.
The result: Four different building concepts are under review. In addition, the firm is exploring how the new building will sit on the proposed site and how it will affect pedestrian traffic. The firm is now moving forward with design proposals and a final schematic layout of the space that capture the decisions that have been made. First possible designs and renderings for the new building will be unveiled in late October.

Inside the New Library
  • Most of the new building will be dedicated to space for students and faculty. Staff and collections space will be minimal.
  • There will be a significant increase in the quantity and variety of study seats to accommodate collaborative and individual work in active and quiet settings. This will include signature reading rooms and reconfigurable labs and group work areas.
  • Enhanced, dedicated research space will accommodate faculty and graduate students.
  • Media creation space will provide access to current and experimental audio and video content, visual and graphic design and production tools, and other advanced media resources to support academic projects, including high-end computers for video manipulation.
  • A significantly expanded Starbucks café will provide more space for study breaks.
  • A large, flexible, media-rich presentation and event space for gatherings of the VCU academic community may also include outdoor space.
  • Incorporation of artwork, exhibit and event space will showcase VCU's arts programs.
  • Teaching spaces that incorporate robust technology and flexible furnishings will support a variety of teaching and learning activities.
  • Special Collections and Archives department will have more capacity for collection growth.
  • The interior will blend memorable destinations within the library and flexible, efficient spaces that will meet needs for many years to come.
  • The balance of collections and readers will evolve over time. As the efficiency of library collection storage is increased through the installation of compact shelving, more space can be freed up for student seating.

From the Street
  • The new building will be in the location of the existing loading dock on Shafer Court.
  • Green space east of the library will be preserved.
  • Glass facades will reveal interior activity, creating a welcoming beacon that draws the VCU community into the library.
  • The street levels of the library will provide pedestrian-scaled facades that welcome the campus into the building and engage with adjacent outdoor space.
  • Pedestrian flow will be a primary consideration: The building design will minimize obstacles to foot traffic from the new classroom building north to the Compass area, and from the Compass area west and south. The east walking path from Monroe Park should not be affected.
  • Options are being explored for additional expansion space along the east side of Cabell, as well as improvements to all facades. The various approaches will be evaluated in context of the budget and all project priorities.
  • The building design is targeting LEED Silver certification at a minimum.
  • A screened service area for deliveries and trash/recycling pick up will be accessed from Linden Street.
  • The amount of space for parking will be significantly smaller than today, lessening impact on the adjacent campus environments.
  • The university will explore whether it's possible to close Linden Street, possibly before the new library building opens in 2015.

]]> http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/10/update-building-the-new-library.html http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/10/update-building-the-new-library.html New Library Updates and New Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:36:17 -0500 Board of Visitors OKs $3.2 million for design of new Monroe Park library
Moseley Architects with Shepley Bulfinch was selected as the architect/engineer for the project, a combination of new construction and improvements to the James Branch Cabell Library. Background and timeline]]> http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/08/board-of-visitors-oks-32-milli.html http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/08/board-of-visitors-oks-32-milli.html Homepage Top News New Library Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:09:13 -0500 In the News: New library mentioned at annual forum The article
]]> http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/06/in-the-news-new-library-mentio.html http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/06/in-the-news-new-library-mentio.html New Library Updates and New Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:31:09 -0500 In the News: Board of Visitors hears about new library plans The article
 
]]> http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/02/in-the-news-4.html http://www.library.vcu.edu/blog/news/2012/02/in-the-news-4.html In the News New Library Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:52:55 -0500