The New Library on the Monroe Park Campus
VCU’s new library will give substance to the concept of “collegiate community” on the Monroe Park Campus by creating an innovative new place where academic study, technology, collaboration, social learning and online learning are supported and encouraged.
Located on Shafer Court, the geographic and symbolic heart of the campus, the new library will be an iconic design that embraces a student-centered learning environment and invites students and faculty to gather and learn in space that is purposefully designed for academic work.
“VCU’s new library will have the most prominent spot on campus of any library building in Virginia, and more students will use it each day than any other library in the Commonwealth. I cannot imagine a building anywhere in Virginia that will be more visible to students, faculty, and visitors, affect more students, or have a greater impact on student success.”
-John E. Ulmschneider, University Librarian
In the News
- New building on fast track, on schedule and budget set
- New one-stop service desk debuts at Cabell Library
- Media checkout streamlined
The Details
- 156,000 square feet project
- 93,000 square feet of new construction
- 63,000 square feet of improvements to the existing building
- Budget: $50,800,000
- Architects: Boston's Shepley Bulfinch and Richmond-based Moseley
- Designer: KSA
- Engineer: AEI
- Construction: W.M. Jordan
Then and Now
1975--James Branch Cabell Library completed and designed to serve 17,000 students, seat 2,000 students and house a maximum 1 million volumes.
2013--James Branch Cabell Library serves 32,000 students, seats 1,250, and houses 2 million volumes.
