Statement from Deans and Directors of Virginia Research Libraries on the University of California System’s Termination of Contract with Elsevier

The following open letter has been prepared and released by the Deans and Directors of the seven research libraries at public doctoral institutions in Virginia. It is part of an ongoing conversation with our campus communities about responsible stewardship of our investments in research.

Meg Kennedy

As the Albert & Shirley Small Special Collection’s Curator of Material Culture, Meg oversees curation, description, and access to the University’s Fine and Decorative Arts Collection and several significant archaeological and records collections including the Flowerdew Hundred Collection and recently excavated and legacy collections of archaeological artifacts associated with the history of the University of Virginia.

Collections Disclosures

In the first of many steps to promote openness about our spending, we are releasing the following information, outlining the costs and usage of several large journal packages, which together represent nearly 40% of our collections budget. We expect to release more detailed information, including title-level data, on a regular basis.

Public Domain 2019

By har8n |

After nearly a century, everything first published in 1923 has finally ascended to the public domain and is free for all to use and share. An exhibition by the UVA Library tells the story of copyright, from Jefferson to how 1923 got free, and what took so long.

Everyday People

By har8n |

A Black History Month 2019 exhibition of select anonymous and familiar African-American images from the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. Individually and collectively, these faces are of those whose ordinary or extraordinary achievements for themselves and their communities shaped a nation.