VCU Libraries is off and running for the 2013-2014 academic year with a full schedule of events. These events, which are but a small part of all that VCU Libraries accomplishes each year, give an idea of the tremendous diversity in our outreach efforts, our collections and the research interests and needs of our patrons.

Events range from intimate talks and workshops within our library buildings to large lectures drawing hundreds from around the Richmond area. Subjects include LGBT history, open-access publishing, nineteenth-century medical practices, the Girl Scouts, Jewish theology and digital initiatives in the humanities and arts.

All VCU Libraries events are free and open to the public, though some, require registration because of limited seating or to help us with planning. To stay up-to-date on event details and registration by receiving our monthly e-newsletter and periodic e-invitations, join our mailing list by filling out this online form.

To look back at at videos from a few of our popular events from the 2012-2013 academic year, see our YouTube channel.

Fall Events

Sept. 4, at 1 p.m.
Special Collections and Archives, Fourth Floor, Cabell Library
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.

Sept. 10, at 3 p.m.
Special Collections and Archives, Fourth Floor, Cabell Library

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.

Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.
W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

James Sturm talks about his popular and acclaimed work, including the major graphic novels "Market Day" and "America: God, Gold and Golems." Long committed to education in the graphic arts, he is currently the director of the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. A book sale and signing follow the event.

Oct. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cabell Library

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.

Oct. 21-25
Room B7, Basement, Cabell Library

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.

Oct. 21, at 2 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Second Floor, Cabell Library

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.

Oct. 22 & Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Richmond Salons, VCU Student Commons (Oct. 22) & Tompkins-McCaw Library (Oct. 23)

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.

Oct. 24, at 3 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Second Floor, Cabell Library

Discussants consider the challenges, costs and controversies of academic publishing today. Audience questions and participation are encouraged.

Oct. 30, at 4 p.m.
Tompkins-McCaw Library

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.

Digital Pragmata: Curating Digital Objects
November (Details TBA)
Cabell Library

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.

Nov. 19, at 7 p.m.
Richmond Salons, VCU Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

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.

Spring Events

Feb. 4, at 7 p.m.
W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

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.

March 27, at 7:30 p.m.
W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

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.

April 8, at 7 p.m.
W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

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.

April 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location TBA

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
Cabell Library

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.

Groundbreaking for the New Library Building
Spring (Details TBA)
Cabell Library
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.