[{"id":3990,"date":"2026-10-30T14:12:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T14:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/?p=3990"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:02:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T18:02:36","slug":"development-update-and-goals-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/2026\/10\/30\/development-update-and-goals-for-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Development Update and Goals for the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VCU Libraries has made significant progress in advancing the goals of Unlocking Potential: VCU\u2019s Campaign for the Future. The Friends of VCU Libraries Scholarship<\/a> Endowment continues to grow as donors increasingly recognize its direct impact on students year after year. At James Branch Cabell Library, plans are moving forward to expand Special Collections and Archives <\/a>and establish a new Book Arts Lab on the fourth floor, creating enhanced opportunities for research, teaching, and hands-on learning.

On the MCV Campus, the Health Sciences Library is preparing for a temporary relocation to the Hunton Student Center Building at 12th and East Broad streets in summer 2027. At the same time, university leaders are exploring options for a permanent, purpose-built home for the Health Sciences Library that will support the evolving needs of students, faculty, clinicians, and researchers.

Growing endowment support remains a key priority for VCU Libraries, particularly when it aligns with student success and experiential learning. Building on the model of the William E. and Miriam S. Blake, Jr. Graduate Fellowship in Special Collections and Archives<\/a>, VCU Libraries is well positioned to create additional fellowship and internship opportunities that provide students with meaningful, real-world professional experience while earning a living wage. With donor support, students can gain valuable skills across a range of library disciplines, from archives and preservation to research services, digital scholarship, and community engagement.

Endowments at VCU can be established with gifts of $50,000 or more and may be funded through a variety of giving vehicles and timelines designed to meet a donor\u2019s philanthropic goals. To learn more about creating an endowed fund that supports students and strengthens VCU Libraries, please contact Kelly Gotschalk,<\/a> Senior Director of Development for VCU Libraries, at kjgotschalk@vcu.edu or 804-827-1163.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VCU Libraries has made significant progress in advancing the goals of Unlocking Potential: VCU\u2019s Campaign for the Future. The Friends of VCU Libraries Scholarship Endowment continues to grow as donors increasingly recognize its direct impact on students year after year. At James Branch Cabell Library, plans are moving forward to expand Special Collections and Archives […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1007,"featured_media":4003,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77,21,11,30,37,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-arts","category-community","category-donors","category-friends-of-vcu-libraries","category-health-sciences-library","category-special-collections-and-archives"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1007"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3990"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3998,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3990\/revisions\/3998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":3988,"date":"2026-10-30T14:06:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T14:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/?p=3988"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:00:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T18:00:53","slug":"the-friends-of-vcu-libraries-support-all-vcu-students-thanks-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/2026\/10\/30\/the-friends-of-vcu-libraries-support-all-vcu-students-thanks-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"The Friends of VCU Libraries support all VCU students \u2013 Thanks to You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may be familiar with your local public library’s Friends group, but did you know that VCU Libraries has one, too?

Since 1983, the Friends of VCU Libraries have brought together alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members who believe in the power of libraries to change lives. Through their generosity, the Friends help strengthen VCU Libraries’ resources, programs and services, ensuring that today’s students have the support they need to succeed at VCU and continue learning long after graduation.

While student life has changed dramatically over the past four decades, VCU Libraries remains at the center of the student experience. Friends support has helped expand the Friends of VCU Libraries Scholarship, which assists two students each year, one on the Monroe Park Campus and one on the MCV Campus. Friends also help fund the Affordable Course Content Initiative, which provides students with access to low- and no-cost textbooks and course materials. Since its launch in 2017, the program has helped more than 161,000 students avoid over $15.2 million in educational costs.

What makes the Friends of VCU Libraries especially meaningful is the flexibility of the support they provide. Gifts can be directed wherever the need is greatest, helping the library respond quickly and creatively to opportunities that enhance student success and community engagement. That support may fund captioning for recordings of free public programs, making them accessible to more people, or provide healthy snacks during StudyWell events that help students manage stress during busy academic periods.

Every gift makes a difference. Please consider making a contribution, in any amount, to the Friends of VCU Libraries <\/a>and help ensure that VCU Libraries continues to inspire learning, discovery, and opportunity for generations to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You may be familiar with your local public library’s Friends group, but did you know that VCU Libraries has one, too? Since 1983, the Friends of VCU Libraries have brought together alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members who believe in the power of libraries to change lives. Through their generosity, the Friends help strengthen […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1007,"featured_media":4002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,11,30,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-donors","category-friends-of-vcu-libraries","category-gifts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1007"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3988"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3988\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4007,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3988\/revisions\/4007"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":3984,"date":"2026-10-27T13:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T13:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/?p=3984"},"modified":"2026-10-30T17:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T17:21:36","slug":"welcome-back-vcu-libraries-retirees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/2026\/10\/27\/welcome-back-vcu-libraries-retirees\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome Back VCU Libraries, Retirees!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Friday, October 23, VCU Libraries welcomed retired faculty and staff back to Cabell Library for a special lunch with Dean Brad Warren. Together, the retirees who joined the celebration represented an extraordinary 357 years of service<\/strong> to VCU Libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dean Warren opened the gathering by reflecting on his experiences working alongside longtime library employees at Yale, including staff who began their careers when operating an elevator required specialized training. He thanked attendees for returning and shared his enthusiasm for learning more about the rich history of VCU Libraries from the people who helped shape it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the lunch, retirees reminisced about the colleagues, friendships and sense of community that made their years at VCU Libraries so meaningful. Conversations also highlighted the lasting impact of their work, with attendees sharing stories about the origins of initiatives that continue to serve the university and community today, including Food for Fines, the development of a virtual library supporting an international addiction studies program and outreach partnerships with Richmond Public Schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event was a reminder that the history of VCU Libraries is not only found in its collections and buildings, but also in the people whose dedication, creativity, and service have shaped the organization over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VCU Libraries looks forward to creating more opportunities for retirees to reconnect, share their stories, and remain part of the library community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Image: Front row left to right: Jodi Koste, Marilyn Scott, Donna Coghill
Back row: Pam Fraga, Patricia Selinger, Sam Byrd, John Duke, Lynn Turman, John Birch, Jeanne Scott, Ed Blease, Nita Bryant, Brad Warren<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Friday, October 23, VCU Libraries welcomed retired faculty and staff back to Cabell Library for a special lunch with Dean Brad Warren. Together, the retirees who joined the celebration represented an extraordinary 357 years of service to VCU Libraries. Dean Warren opened the gathering by reflecting on his experiences working alongside longtime library employees […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1007,"featured_media":3985,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,14,60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-facultystaff","category-service-to-the-profession"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1007"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3984"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4004,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3984\/revisions\/4004"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":3976,"date":"2026-08-12T12:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T12:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/?p=3976"},"modified":"2026-09-01T17:14:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T17:14:55","slug":"vcu-libraries-reports-strong-fundraising-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/librarystories\/2026\/08\/12\/vcu-libraries-reports-strong-fundraising-year\/","title":{"rendered":"VCU Libraries reports strong fundraising year\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VCU Libraries closed FY26 at $1,219,651 raised in gifts and pledges. A total of 327 gifts were made by 126 alumni, 188 friends, nine foundations and four corporations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n