Project Need
Cabell Library has not kept pace with VCU's growth or with the growing diversity of academic work spaces needed by traditional and online students. The university has not added library space since Cabell opened in 1975.
Within Virginia, VCU provides the least amount of library space per student of any public academic institution in the Commonwealth. In a study of peer institutions, VCU ranked lowest:- 31 percent below the average space provided by all institutions and;
- 92 percent below the average of its peers in group study space.
Adding academic work spaces in the a new building and renovating space in Cabell Library will bring VCU into alignment with its peer institutions and other higher education centers in the Commonwealth.
Libraries are uniquely suited to meet contemporary student study needs. In today’s busy, multi-tasking environments rich in distractions, students seek places that create a mindset of scholarship. They see library environments as spaces conducive to and supportive of a variety of study habits. Such library environments are increasingly important at colleges and universities.
In the News
- Have your voices heard at Cabell Life Forum April 3
- UPDATE: Building the new library for VCU's future--Preliminary designs in the works focus on student spaces
- Board of Visitors OKs $3.2 million for design of new Monroe Park library
The Details
- 162,000 square feet project
- 82,000 square feet of new construction
- 80,000 square feet of improvements to the existing building
- $47.5 million total project cost
Then and Now
1975--James Branch Cabell Library completed and designed to serve 17,000 students, seat 2,000 students and house 1 million volumes.
2012--James Branch Cabell Library serves 32,000 students, seats 1,250, and houses 2 million volumes.
