Library News and Events

Questions? Text a librarian.

U.Va. students, faculty and staff can now contact U.Va. Library reference via text messaging. Text 434-227-6019 with your questions. This service can be a great way to get quick answers about library hours, the availability, location and call numbers of books or other resources, best resources to begin your research, connecting from off-grounds, and events in the library.

On the Map: The Seymour I. Schwartz Collection of North American Maps 1500-1800

In celebration of Dr. Seymour I. Schwartz’s pledged bequest of his collection of American maps, the University of Virginia Library presents “On the Map,” an exhibition featuring highlights from the more than 200 rare, historic items in the collection, on display from Jan. 28, 2008, through Jan. 17, 2009, in the Harrison Institute’s main gallery.

“On the Map” focuses on maps of North America printed during the three centuries after European contact. These documents—spanning the Age of Exploration to the early American Republic—not only illustrate the great strides in scientific, technological, and geographical knowledge during this period, but also express the aesthetic tastes, political agendas, and economic ambitions of those who made and used maps as they shaped the modern world.

The maps in Dr. Schwartz’s collection illuminate significant aspects of the history of North America and its cartography: maps that demonstrate how 16th-century Europeans struggled to make sense of their newly expanded world; maps that made erroneous assertions which led to long-lived misperceptions about the continent; and maps that were the first to depict or name landmark features of North American geography.

Please see the exhibit’s homepage and the Library’s Press Room for more information and downloadable images.

Declaring Independence: Creating and Recreating America’s Document Exhibit

Located adjacent to the entrance to the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library , Declaring Independence: Creating and Re-creating America’s Document displays highlights of the most comprehensive collection of letters, documents, and early printings of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition sheds light on not only the writing and signing of the Declaration, but also on its first printing, distribution across the colonies, and future impact on American history. An accompanying documentary film is available for viewing in the gallery.

Volunteer docents will give guided tours of the exhibit at the following days and times

* Tuesday - noon to 4 p.m.
* Wednesday - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
* Thursday - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
* Friday - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
* Saturday - noon to 2 p.m.

Portions of the exhibit are available online at www.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/declaration .

To learn more about the Small Library go to www.lib.virginia.edu/small .

Flowerdew Hundred

Featuring archaeological artifacts on loan from the Flowerdew Hundred Foundation, this exhibit presents material evidence of Virginia’s early inhabitants: Native American pottery sherds; arms and armor used to defend the new colony; refined, imported wares from Europe; and American-made goods, including items manufactured by African Americans. The materials from U.Va.’s Special Collections also on display—images from sixteenth- and seventeenth-century maps and books—illustrate the importance of the historical record in the study of material culture.

For more information on the exhibit and the Flowerdew Hundred Foundation is available at www.lib.virginia.edu/small/exhibits/flowerdew/ .