Lectures and Programs
Dale Brumfield, local author and contributor to Style Weekly talks about his new book, "Richmond Independent Press: A History of the Underground Zine Scene." The book tells of Richmond's glory days of counterculture publishing, looking at the evolution of such mainstays as the VCU-based Commonwealth Times. A book sale and signing follow the event.
Historians Brian J. Daugherity and Brian E. Lee talk about their article "Program of Action: The Rev. L. Francis Griffin and the Struggle for Racial Equality in Farmville, 1963," published in the current issue of the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. The article makes use of several images in a new VCU Libraries digital collection of Farmville civil-rights protest photos.
Comics creator and educator James Sturm's major works, including graphic novels "Market Day" and "The Golem's Mighty Swing," have garnered international acclaim for their powerful art and social consciousness. He visits VCU to share insights into his career and the comics world. A book sale and signing follow the talk.
This event is cosponsored by the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, Communication Arts in the VCU School of the Arts and VCU Libraries.
Stephen R. Bissette offers VCU a special look into his legendary career in the comics industry. His art for DC Comics’ “Saga of the Swamp Thing,” a collaboration with writer Alan Moore and inker Jon Totleben, and his work on the horror anthology Taboo are particular touchstones for creators and fans alike. A book sale and signing follow the talk.
This event is cosponsored by the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, Communication Arts in the VCU School of the Arts and VCU Libraries.
This day of drop-in workshops for graduate students and advanced researchers features topics such as writing literature reviews, organizing your research, getting published, exploring images and media and using research hacks to make your research process better, faster and smarter.
The Friends of VCU Libraries offer a wide selection of novels, academic texts, movie DVDs, music CDs and much more. Most items in the sale each year are donated by Friends, community members and current VCU alumni, faculty and staff. Proceeds support VCU Libraries programs and collections.
Artist and activist E.G. Crichton, artist-in-residence at the GLBT Historical Society of San Francisco, discusses her visionary exhibit, in which VCU Libraries Special Collections and Archives plays a part. Graphic panels combine evocative materials, photos and artifacts that portray the experiences of queer individuals from the past.
The fair promotes a secure culture within VCU and is designed to provide information-security education and training to all constituents within the VCU community. Attendees learn about the ways to protect their personal information from cybercriminals, as well as ways to secure their electronic devices at home and work. Technology vendors are on site to demonstrate the latest and greatest technology, and IT support staff answer technology- and security-related questions.
Discussants consider the challenges, costs and controversies of academic publishing today. Audience questions and participation are encouraged.
Discover how anatomy was taught during the 19th century and learn how cadavers were procured. University Archivist Jodi Koste leads a walking tour of the MCV Campus and tells stories about grave robbing, goblins and ghouls.
Museums, libraries and archives rely on the digital environment to save, manage and provide access to their collections. These organizations also collect digitized and born-digital cultural objects. Presenters from local cultural institutions share their experiences and best practices for collecting and curating digital objects. This event is a part of VCU Libraries' well received Digital Pragmata series. Additional events, including brown-bag discussions, are being offered throughout the year.
The VCU Office of Research and VCU Libraries are collaborating on a speaker series to address current and emerging ethical issues that impact research, scholarship and creative expression. Speakers will have expertise in applied ethics, technology and society as well as legal and policy frameworks for sustaining digital scholarship.
Ramona Ausubel, 2013 award winner for "No One Is Here Except All of Us," reads from her book and sheds light on its genesis. Writers and readers alike enjoy this annual insiders' look at the writing and publishing process. A book sale and signing follow the event.
This event is a partnership with the VCU Department of English, is sponsored by the VCU Friends of the Library and is made possible through the support of the James Branch Cabell Library Associates.
Viola O. Baskerville, long involved in elective politics at the city and state levels and now CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, talks about African-American involvement in Virginia Girl Scouting throughout the organization's 100-year history, focusing on the important work of Scout leaders from Richmond, Norfolk, Fredericksburg and beyond.
Jack D. Spiro, D.H.L., Ed.D, has long enlightened audiences and fueled community dialogue with his thought-provoking lectures on some of the most important topics in the Jewish culture and faith. This year, he consults the wisdom of Abraham, Job and philosopher Baruch Spinoza to reflect upon the timeless problem of evil.
This event is sponsored by the VCU Friends of the Library, the VCU Center for Judaic Studies, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, the Richmond Jewish Foundation and the Weinstein JCC.
In a moderated panel discussion on emerging digital practices in authoring, publishing, curating and preserving scholarship, speakers will examine the materials and method forming the scholarly record today. Be on the lookout for additional Digital Pragmata events throughout the spring.
The 2013 VCU Technology Fair, co-sponsored by VCU Technology Services and VCU Libraries, brings the latest in technology developments for the classroom, office and research to VCU.
April 27 - May 3
VCU Libraries joins in this nationwide annual initiative to raise awareness of the importance of saving books and materials for use by future generations. Library patrons will learn how to keep library and also family treasures safe and how to repair damages.
Commemoration and celebration of the opening phases of construction of the much-needed new library building, on the compass at the heart of the Monroe Park campus.
Gallery Shows
Through Sept. 30, 2013
Photographs submitted by VCU Health Sciences students, depicting their outreach activities and service work from urban Richmond to the faraway shores of West Africa
Sept. 16–20, 2013
Opportunities for library patrons to discover connections between the US Constitution and the constitutions of other nations around the world
Oct. 2013
Display of student work produced, under project director Bernard K. Means, using state-of-the-art technology
Oct. 21 – Dec. 31 2013
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
Oct. 2013 – Feb. 2014
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
Dec. 2013 – May 2014
Materials from the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia archives, which are now housed in James Branch Cabell Library
March 17, 2014 – April 26, 2014
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