Work on the John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room continues, as Special Collections and Archives staff work to settle into their newly revitalized space. Special Collections is open 8 a.m to 5 p.m, Monday through Friday.
Demolition of the central stairwell started last Friday and is nearly complete. Additional information regarding this demolition is available on this post.
Below is an image of the central stairwell demolition. The construction wall at the top and slightly left of this image is facing the Floyd Avenue stacks.
Renovations continue with the upcoming demolition of the central stairwell between the third and the fourth floor. Demolition is slated for Friday, June 22, Saturday, June 23 and Monday, June 25. Friday's work will be the extremely disruptive throughout the building, particularly near the central core. Cabell Library patrons can expect somewhat less disruptive noise throughout the rest of the demolition period, except to those patrons in the central area of the building on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. Study space on the first floor, away from the central area of the building, should be the least noisy area. Earplugs will be available at the Circulation and Information Services desk on the first floor and the Media and Reserve Services desk on the third floor.
We thank you for your patience during these important renovations.
With the installation of new display cabinets, the fourth floor entrance hall is nearly complete. Construction walls have been placed for work on Phase II.
The redesigned fourth floor entrance hall has opened, marking the final steps to the first phase of renovations. New exhibit cases will be installed early next week. New furniture will follow in late summer.
Early next week Phase II construction will begin with the closure of the area that will become the John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room. This area is directly between the new entrance hall wall and the Special Collections/Cabell Room walls, heading back towards the stacks. The stairwell between the third and fourth floor will also be closed as demolition of that stairwell will begin mid-month.
Special Collections and Archives will remain open with limited hours and service through the Media and Reserves Services Desk for the next few weeks.
An image of the fourth floor entrance hall, two days before completion:
The main hallway on the fourth floor, in the final stages of construction. The top photograph is facing into the fourth floor from the elevators, the bottom is from the opposite end facing the elevators. While the new furniture will take a little longer, this area should be reopened by the beginning of June.
In order to conduct renovations outside the fourth floor elevators during the week between Spring and Summer semesters, Cabell Library will be closing off the area directly outside the two main elevators from May 14-18. The fourth floor stacks and study areas will still be accessible via the freight elevator, around the corner from the main elevators, and all stairwells except the one behind the elevators, stairwell #4. Floor maps of Cabell Library are available online.
The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) will be reachable via the stairwell behind the elevators, stairwell #4. Visitors to CTE who require elevator access should call 828-1108 or come to the Media & Reserves Services desk on the third floor of Cabell Library to be escorted from the freight elevator to CTE's offices.
Signs will be posted to help visitors navigate their way to and on the floor. We apologize for any inconvenience.
For additional renovation updates, visit the Renovations Blog.
Construction completion on the first phase of the fourth floor is slated for mid-June.
A view into the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room.
A view from inside the Reading Room towards the main entrance to Special Collections and Archives.
The staff work area is also near completion. Note the back wall is temporary, and will be open to the Special Collections and Archives stacks after construction.
The fourth floor construction process is on schedule. Components taking place in the next few weeks include installing new partition walls, painting, flooring installation and fine tuning and inspection of Phase I before Phase II begins in mid May.
The timing of the construction has coincided with spring semester which impacts students studying in the library, which is regrettable. Despite hopes for the renovation to take place between semesters, unavoidable delays and news that the project would take significantly longer than anticipated to complete determined that there was no scheduling which would permit better timing. VCU Libraries staff has worked closely with the construction team to avoid noisy tasks at peak hours. Construction takes place during the workday only, permitting quiet study evenings and weekends. In addition, the noisiest components of the project are scheduled for after exams. A new quiet study area on the second floor has been established. The new area is identified by signs and is at the front of the building on the second floor overlooking the bus stop, facing the Cathedral.
At project completion: for the first time, graduate students will have a dedicated reading room, as is common at many universities. Cabell Library's excellent Special Collections and Archives department will have a badly needed rejuvenation and added space to house its important collections. Added exhibit space and an improved overall fourth floor appearance will mean a truly fine facility for the VCU community. VCU Libraries is extremely sensitive to the issues the construction causes for students, however, and appreciate understanding as these improvements move forward.
The offices in Special Collections and Archives take shape.
A view of Special Collections and Archives.
The main hallway, this view is facing away from the elevators.
Construction continues now that the temporary walls are completed.
Temporary construction walls are going up around the fourth floor. The stacks will remain open, including call numbers N-Z, Juvenile and Young Adult Literature.
A view facing Special Collections and Archives, with the temporary constructions walls on the left.
The temporary walls align the walkway facing the elevators.
Near the study tables, workers build the temporary walls.
Cabell's Special Collections and Archives department will be closed February 26 through May 21 for renovations to the fourth floor. During this time, patrons needing materials from these collections may request them at the Media and Reserves Services desk on the third floor of Cabell from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Professors who wish to make use of materials for their classes, patrons who wish to do research in manuscripts and archives, and patrons who require access outside of those hours should contact the Special Collections and Archives staff at 804-828-1108 to make special arrangements.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we renovate these important public spaces.
The fourth floor renovations began February 26th and are slated for completion in August. The fourth floor stacks are open. Patrons needing Special Collections Materials should go to the Media and Reserve Services desk between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A view of the near empty Special Collections and Archives.
The renovation of Cabell Library's fourth floor will begin on February 28 with completion scheduled for July.
The "old" doors to Special Collections and Archives will soon close so a new and improved area can be constructed.
Much of the area to the left in this photograph will be the new John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room.
Do you want to see what the new fourth floor will look like? Click the link below for a full-page pdf image of the floor plan which includes a new entrance hall with built-in display cabinets, the much needed John Mapp Graduate Study & Reading Room, a renovated Cabell Room including improved lighting, and a renovated Special Collections and Archives, including improvements to the outer lobby area, reading area and office space.
Special Thanks
Please join us in thanking supporters of the VCU Libraries for the generous financial gifts that have made the Fourth Floor renovations possible. To learn more about how you can support the VCU Libraries, please contact 804-827-1163 or 804-828-1165.
Please join us in thanking the supporters of the VCU Libraries for their generous donations in support of the Campaign for James Branch Cabell Library. From June 2005 through December 2006, over 625 donors, many of whom were first time VCU Libraries donors, made gifts in support of the Campaign for James Branch Cabell Library.
The VCU Libraries would also like to thank a Private Richmond Foundation for issuing the challenge grant to our donors and matching the $200,000 in private funds raised. Because of donors like you and the support of a Private Richmond Foundation, the VCU Libraries was able to raise over $425,000 in private funds to supplement the $200,000 in state support provided by Provost Gottfredson and Virginia Commonwealth University.
The funds raised will be used to renovate the fourth floor of the James Branch Cabell Library, a space which has not been updated since its construction in 1975. The renovation, in part, will create the John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room, the University's first dedicated library space for graduate student and faculty; upgrade space for rare and unique materials held by Special Collections and Archives; and restore the historic James Branch Cabell Room to its rightful place as a dignified meeting and retreat space.
The VCU Libraries and the Friends of the Library are proud to announce the creation of the John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room. John Mapp was leader of VCU's Evening College and Summer School from 1964 until 1978, a long-time supporter of the VCU Libraries, and an enthusiastic advocate for Virginia Commonwealth University. As a member of the Friends of the Library Board, Mr. Mapp gave the largest single monetary gift to the VCU Libraries in VCU history. John and Elizabeth Mapp also established several endowments at the VCU Libraries to purchase library materials in support of students in the Honors Program at VCU. The new John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room will recognize and honor Mr. Mapp's many significant contributions to VCU and the VCU Libraries.
If you are interested in making a gift in support of the VCU Libraries or to learn more about the Friends of the Library, please contact Kimberly Separ, director of development and community relations, at (804) 827-1163.
Thank you again for your support of the VCU Libraries!
4th Floor Renovation Illustration
Construction dates chosen for February 2007.
Special Thanks
Please join us in thanking supporters of the VCU Libraries for the generous financial gifts that have made the Fourth Floor renovations possible. To learn more about how you can support the VCU Libraries, please contact 804-827-1163 or 804-828-1165.