Cabell Library Event Spaces

Event Spaces

Request Space

Cabell Library offers three rooms for use for events by VCU units/groups outside VCU Libraries. Cabell Library event spaces are not available for use to non-VCU groups: the Cabell Library Lecture Hall (room 303), the Sisisky Board Room (room 311) and the Cabell Library Multipurpose Room (room 250). ​Other spaces in the building may also be available for use as breakout rooms, etc., depending on the nature of the event and the time of year.

The lecture hall, board room, and multipurpose room are intended to be gathering spaces for the university academic community. 

Priority use for the lecture hall is for marquee or high-profile scholarly events and other functions that have university-wide appeal.​​ Types of events potentially appropriate for the room include lectures, forums, book talks and addresses by university leaders.

Priority use for the board room is for high-level special administrative functions.​​ Types of events potentially appropriate for the room include meetings about interdepartmental collaborations, planning sessions for university-wide initiatives, candidate interviews for dean positions and faculty/staff mini-retreats.

Priority use for the multipurpose room is for small academic events.​​ Types of events potentially appropriate for the room include small lectures and movie screenings, information or recruitment sessions and planning meetings for academic departments. When not in use for events, the room is open to students and other library patrons as a study space. 

The lecture hall, board room and multipurpose room may not be booked for classes (except library instruction sessions), study sessions, ongoing recurring meetings, fundraisers, social functions such as weddings or loud events such as musical performances and dances.

• The rooms are booked on an ​academic semester (July–December and January-June) basis​​. May 1 is the opening for submissions of requests for the following fall semester. Dec. 1 is the opening for submissions for the spring semester. 
• Annual/major university events, such as the president’s State of the University speech or university-wide Welcome Week activities, may be scheduled ​up to two years in advance​​.
• Events are not booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. Requests will be ​considered according to the following priorities​​: library-organized events, library partnerships or library-sponsored events, community or professional outreach events organized by university units/groups outside VCU Libraries, other events organized by university units/groups outside VCU Libraries.
• Student-organized events that are not library partnerships or library-sponsored events are generally ​referred to the VCU Student Commons.

Library Tabling 

VCU Libraries allows limited tabling in their lobbies only by VCU offices, organizations, units or initiatives that are in partnership with VCU Libraries on an initiative such as StudyWell or other outreach endeavors. Groups or organizations approved for partnerships/tabling are promoting topics or resources directly related to student success, achievement, student advancement/opportunities or supportive resources for students or health and wellness. If appropriate, the table may be promoted as part of VCU Libraries’ student-focused efforts such as the StudyWell campaign. For tabling partnership inquiries please contact VCU Libraries Event Manager Ryan Pander at rbpander@vcu.edu.

Student organizations are not permitted to table in Cabell or the Health Sciences Library and will be referred to the VCU Student Commons or the Larrick Student Center. 

For more information regarding tabling please review our full guidelines

Full Details: Reservations, Space Specifications, Additional Costs, etc.

Read the Cabell Library Event and Facility Use Guidelines (2023-24)

Request Space

For Questions

If you are contacting the office about a new event space request or a future event possibility, please allow five business days for a response. If your need is urgent, you may also contact Sue Robinson, director of communications and public relations, at srobinson26@vcu.edu. If you need assistance with public relations for your event, please contact Sue Robinson.

Interested in exploring a partnership with VCU Libraries? Contact Communications and Public Relations Director Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or your liaison librarian.