The University of Virginia Library has six locations; an array of cozy study spaces; millions of books, journals, videos, and newspapers available for checkout or browsing; and new resources arriving each day. And did you know we also offer events ranging from exhibitions to concerts for UVA and the Charlottesville community throughout the year?
As we close out 2024, check out five upcoming events for those who love cars, crafting, coding, coffee, and more. All Library events are free.
1. ‘The Fast and the Curious: Fast 5’
“The Fast and the Curious” is a ten-part lecture series for the 2024-25 academic year that features the “Fast & Furious” franchise. In addition to being popular and commercially successful, “Fast & Furious” has also had a fascinating impact on car culture, automotive design, and technology, and features significant representation of Black, Latine, and Asian communities.
This session will feature David Nemer (Media Studies) and Mohamed Ismail (Architecture). After the talk, we'll screen the fifth film in the franchise, “Fast Five.”
Hosting in partnership with the UVA Motorsports Club and the Scholars’ Lab.
- When: Wednesday, Dec. 4; 5:30 – 9 p.m.
- Where: Scholars’ Lab Common Room (Rm 308), Shannon Library
- Registration is required: Register for “The Fast and the Curious.”
2. Make a Book Safe
Channel your inner hatred towards textbooks, fight back against this world of strife. Come to the Makerspace and make your own book safe (by tearing textbooks apart) and hide your stuff. (Recommended for engineers and beginners.)
All materials (including books) are provided. Consider bringing your own book if you want a specific external appearance.
- When: Wednesday, Dec. 4; 6 – 9 p.m.
- Where: The Makerspace (Shannon Library, Room 308i)
- Registration is required: Register for “Make a Book Safe”
3. Coffee + Code: Edition Crafter Demo
Join the Scholars’ Lab Research and Development team for delicious coffee and discussion of interesting digital humanities code work. Zero experience required.
On Dec. 5, Nick Laiacona of Performant Software will join us to present EditionCrafter, their new tool for creating digital critical editions and archives. EditionCrafter provides a way to build high-quality, web-based user interfaces for transcriptions and translations that accompany images of primary sources.
Nick will dive into the details of the tool and do a live demo. He hopes that researchers, practitioners, and developers working in the digital humanities on similar projects will find this tool useful and welcomes feedback.
- When: Thursday, Dec. 5; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Where: Scholars' Lab Common Room (Shannon Library, Room 308)
4. Graduate Research & Writing Café
Hang out with us for a three-hour block dedicated to a great workspace exclusively for graduate students. Free coffee and snacks will be provided. The three-hour block is a drop-in session, so come and go as you like! Librarians will be available on-site for research assistance and Writing Center consultants will be available for writing support.
Held in partnership with the School of Education and Human Development’s Student Affairs office and the UVA Writing Center.
- When: Thursday, Dec. 5; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: Shannon Library Seminar Room 330
- Registration is required: Register for “Graduate Research and Writing Café”
5. Leatherworking Workshop
Join us in the Makerspace with UVA’s Cosplay Costuming & Crafts Club to learn the basics of leatherworking! Get acquainted with the tools typically used and hone your carving skills. This is a cost-free workshop (all materials will be provided) and is beginner-friendly! From simple keychains to wallets to something more complex — whatever you can imagine, try your hand at crafting it!
Participants are encouraged to arrive on time to get the most out of the workshop, but feel free to leave if you finish working on your project before the end of the event.
For inquiries, please email virginiacostuming@gmail.com. For more information about the CCC and their workshops, visit their website.
- When: Friday, Dec. 6; 6 – 8 p.m.
- Where: The Makerspace (Shannon Library, Room 308i)
- Registration is required: Register for “Leatherworking Workshop”