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?
Celebrate spring holidays at the Library with prank- and Star Wars-themed crafting sessions in the Makerspace. Or come by our libraries for experimental films, a performance by a talented local singer, or a silent disco in the Shannon Reference Room. All Library events are free.
For a full listing of Library events, check out our public calendar.
1. Prank Day at the Makerspace
Make a trick for April Fools’ Day.
Drop in anytime on Tuesday, April 1, to make a prank.
The Scholars’ Lab Makerspace is located in Shannon Library on the third floor (308i).
- When: Tuesday, April 1; 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Where: The Makerspace (Shannon 308i)
2. Screentime at the Fine Arts Library
Twice a week throughout the month of April, the Fine Arts Library will host a series of informal screenings of experimental film and video art from the UVA Library collection.
On Tuesday, April 1, in its ground-floor video niche, the Fine Arts Library will screen “Man with a Movie Camera” (1929), Dziga Vertov’s silent, Soviet-era experimental documentary. Ostensibly documenting urban life in three cities — Moscow, Odessa, and Kiev — Vertov also arranged the film as a visual manifesto, shaping the emerging language of cinema itself.
Later in April, see a selection of early experiments with perception from makers including Mary Ellen Bute, Alberto Cavalcanti, and James Broughton (1922-1954); “Here Come the Videofreex”(2015), with interviews and restored tapes from the radical film collective capturing their revolutionary use of film technology in the 1960s and 1970s, two films from Brazilian-born contemporary artist and filmmaker Ana Vaz that trace hybrid histories of colonialism; and “Shirin” (2008), an exploration of gendered spectatorship from acclaimed Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami.
Drop in and out as your schedule allows to see selections from a century of art of the moving image.
- When: Tuesday, April 1; 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. (See links above for additional times.)
- Where: Fine Arts Library
3. Silent Disco in the Library!
Join us for a silent disco in the Reference Room of Shannon Library! Dance to one of three broadcast channels (including one with a live DJ and one curated by DJs from WTJU) and experience our study space as you’ve never experienced it before!
Headphones will be provided.
The first hour will be kid-friendly, so bring the family!
This event has been made possible by a grant from the University of Virginia Arts Council.
- When: Thursday, April 3; 7 – 10 p.m.
- Where: Shannon Library Reference Room (fourth floor, East Wing)
4. Making Noise in the Library: Nathaniel Star
The Making Noise in the Library series brings artists into UVA libraries for free performances and is generously supported by a grant from the UVA Arts Council. In 2025, we are partnering with the Robertson Media Center to highlight the support and resources they provide to professional and amateur musicians at UVA and in the Charlottesville community. Come join us!
A talented singer, songwriter, and rap artist, Nathaniel Star creates art that is intimate, smart, and boldly explores a breadth of musical and artistic styles. Nathaniel’s artistic partner, Vintage, will be joining Nathaniel on keyboards. In addition to their musical performance, Nathaniel will be sharing information about his new interactive lyric book, which is being published and supported by the UVA Library.
For more information about Nathaniel, visit him on Instagram or his linktree site. To listen to or purchase his music, visit his Bandcamp site.
- When: Thursday, April 17; 12 – 1:30 p.m.
- Where: Robertson Media Center, Clemons Library third floor
- Registration is required: Register for “Making Noise in the Library: Nathaniel Star”
5. Last Day of Classes – Star Wars Day Prep
Celebrate Star Wars with crafts and fun!
Stop by anytime to pick up some 3D-printed and laser cut models, make buttons and stickers, or just geek out with other “Star Wars” fans.
The Scholars’ Lab Makerspace is located in Shannon Library on the third floor (308i).
See here for open hours and a map.
- When: Tuesday, April 29; 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Where: The Makerspace (Shannon Library, Room 308i)
6. Bonus: Graphic novels!
Are you interested in graphic novels? Have you ever read one, or been assigned one for class?
The Library is conducting a survey to enhance and globalize our collection, and we’d love to get your feedback! The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Take the survey now … and thanks for your help!