Beginning Jan. 5 2026 VCU Libraries Special Collections and Archives service hours will change.

• Closed: Monday and Tuesday
• By Appointment: Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

This change is part of a multi-year project to merge collections housed separately at James Branch Cabell and Health Sciences Library. This consolidation is necessary due to planned expansion of collections space at Cabell as well as the pending relocation of the Health Sciences Library. 

This change in services basically affects only walk-in users, who are few in number. “At this time, our limited staff and archivist resources must be allocated to focus on actions to preserve,   protect and pack the collection in preparation for this historic shift,” said department Head Chrystal Carpenter.

“We will continue to work closely with faculty and student researchers through appointments and assure that researchers have timely access to the materials they need,” she said. Inquiries may also be made by email. 

To make an appointment or get in touch, contact libsca@vcu.edu. 

In addition: 

• Donations will be temporarily paused. Contact Carpenter at carpenterc2@vcu.edu to discuss. 
• Instruction program will continue: For questions related to instruction in classes, contact Katharine Buckley at buckleyk3@vcu.edu for instruction questions.
• University Archivist Ruth Cody will continue to work throughout the university on projects related to VCU’s history. Contact her at codyr@vcu.edu