VCU Libraries will hold a grand opening ceremony for Virginia Commonwealth University’s greatly expanded and renovated James Branch Cabell Library on March 15.

The ceremony will get underway at 5 p.m. in the first-floor atrium of the building and will feature remarks by VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., University Librarian John Ulmschneider, Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton and other officials, followed by guided tours of the new building.

VCU recently wrapped up construction on the project, which adds 93,000 square feet of new construction and 63,000 square feet of improvements to the existing library, providing VCU’s more than 31,000 students with much more space to study, collaborate, discover, create and conduct research.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. To register, visit: https://www.support.vcu.edu/cabellgrandopening.

Throughout the day, from noon to 6:30 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to check out a photography booth and green screen on the library’s first floor, hosted by VCU Libraries’ Innovative Media department.

Following the ceremony, Jack D. Spiro, D.H.L., Ed.D., the Harry Lyons Distinguished Chair in Judaic Culture at VCU in the School of World Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences, will deliver his final Brown-Lyons Lecture at 7:30-9 p.m. in the library’s new third-floor lecture hall.

Parking is available for a fee in the West Broad Street, West Main Street and West Cary Street parking decks. If special accommodations are needed, or for further details, please call Gregory Kimbrell, events and programs coordinator, at 804-828-0593 prior to March 11.