Community Resources
Sketch of Newman Library
Welcome Hokies!
THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, NOT JUST STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF.
LEARN AT THE LIBRARIES
See what’s happening on our events calendar
Example Workshops
- Open Studio Hours with VTDITC: Hip Hop Studies at Virginia Tech
- Comunidad Book Club
- Fact Check Your Vote
- Podcast Editing
- Design for 3D Printing
See what’s happening on our events calendar
Example Events
- amplifying unheard voices
- Lesser Knowns: A Celebration Series
- Digital Literacy Symposium
- Check out books and DVDs
- Online material publicly available
- Guides to support your ideas or help you come up with new ones
Check out all of our studios and their emerging technology you can explore!
Special Collections and University Archives in Newman Library is devoted to collecting, preserving, and providing access to primary source materials.
Learn more and visit our Special Collections and University Archives
What is research?
- Research is asking questions and seeking answers in a methodical way. It often includes searching for information in books, online resources, etc., and then using that information to create, write, and share new ideas, interpretations, and media.
- Examples of research can include exploring your genealogy, researching for a book or story, or just following your curiosity. And so much more!
- Part of what the Library does is help you on every step of the research journey! If you have a question or interest you want to explore, we are here to help.
- Have questions about research? Chat, call, or email us!
Research resources from local libraries
Interested in genealogy? University or local history? Visit our Special Collections and University Archives
Resources about the research process
BORROW SOMETHING
Community patrons can access our physical collection which includes:
- Books
- DVDs
- CDs
- VHS
- Vinyl records
What can I not borrow?
- Community patrons cannot access electronic resources at home, use interlibrary loan services, or borrow electronic equipment.
- Research resources from local libraries
We have publicly available computer stations for anyone to use on the 2nd and 5th floor.
From those stations you can access any library resource or database. Please visit the Public Computers & Software page for more information.
Instructions
- Ask staff for a new borrower card
- Present Virginia state identification
- Fill out a new patron form
Cost requirements - It’s free!
Document requirements
- A valid Virginia state issued photo ID such as a Virginia driver's license, a Virginia DMV ID card, or a photo ID from another Virginia college.
Most books can be checked out for 30 days and can be renewed up to 4 times for 30 days each
Popular Reading books can be checked out for 21 days
- What is “popular reading”? The Popular Reading collection includes a rotating collection of best sellers and recently published fiction and non-fiction. Popular reading materials are located on marked shelves on the 2nd floor.
DVDs can be checked out for 5 days. Vinyls and CDs can be checked out for 30 days. VHS can be checked out for 14 days.
- If you have an overdue item(s) you will receive an email notification.
- Your account will not be blocked until on the 15th day the item is overdue
- Once an item is 45 days overdue, you will be billed for replacement.
- Learn more about our billing process
Yes! All patrons can suggest items for purchase
You can suggest items for purchase through your online library account
Open Access means materials or information that is freely available to use for anyone and anything. This includes reading, copying, and using for your purposes, whatever they might be. The Library can help you find these resources and learn more about creating them and supporting open access efforts.
Want to learn more or get involved with Open Access? Contact Phillip Young at pyoung1@vt.edu
VISIT US
Where we're located: Newman Library is our main library in the Blacksburg campus. Branch information is available below for our other locations.
When we're open: Hours for specific libraries and spaces.
Find public computers
- Library Computers may be used by visitors in the library. Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff have priority in the use of computers. Ask at the front desk to see where public computes are located.
Stop by the services desk located on second floor
- Users Services desk and team: One of the main places you can find help is the User Services desk on the second floor. This large desk is staffed with folks who are ready to help answer your questions. If they don’t know the answer, they will find out!
- Visitor Parking
- VT Parking Map
- Downtown Blacksburg Parking Map
- ADA Accessible Parking: Contact parking@vt.edu
Parking fees
Virginia Tech parking
$6.00 for daily parking permit for use 7 a.m. - 10 p.m
Downtown parking meters/pay stations
$1/hour. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Saturday.
Parking is free every day after 5 p.m. and all day Sundays and holidays.
The expired meter fine is $35
Language
At this time we do not offer support for additional languages, or accommodations for sight or hearing impairment.
Map of All Gender Bathrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
Wireless Access
Guest access is a free service for use by visitors requiring short-term access to the wireless network to perform general Internet activities.
Instructions
- Ask staff for a new borrower card
- Present Virginia state identification
- Get yours now!
Cost requirements - It’s free!
Document requirements
A valid Virginia state issued photo ID such as a Virginia driver's license, a Virginia DMV ID card, or a photo ID from another Virginia college.
Take a mobile tour of the library
Tour the studios
Set up a tour for community groups
We love to work and learn with community and school groups. We ask that you reach out at least 2 weeks before the proposed visit by emailing vtulcommunityengagement-g@vt.edu
Chat. call, or message us and we will help you connect to the person or resource you need most!
Art & Architecture Library
- The Art & Architecture is open to walk-ins
- Located on the first floor of Cowgill Hall, adjacent to the Ferrari Archive. 100 Cowgill Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0206.
- Email: artarchlibrary-g@vt.edu
- Phone: 540-231-9271
Veterinary Medicine Library
- If you are interested in visiting the Veterinary Medicine Library, contact Kiri DeBose at kdebose@vt.edu or 540-231-0495
- Location and Library Guide
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Health Sciences and Technology Library
- If you are interested in visiting the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Health Sciences and Technology Library, contact our team at FBRILibrary@vt.edu or 540-526-2362
- For more information, visit the FBRI HST Library guide
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Library
- If you are interested in visiting the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) Library, contact our team at vtcsomlibrary@vt.edu
- Location and Library Guide
Northern Virginia Resource Center
- If you are interested in visiting the Northern Virginia Resource Center, contact our team at nvclibrary@vt.edu or 703-538-8340
Partner with Us
Interested in partnering with us? The Library is always looking for new ways to partner with the community! We provide expertise, space, access, and support to our partners and would love to hear your ideas!
- Plan an event, develop programs, or conduct research with us
- Consultations
- Contact us to learn more about partnerships at vtulcommunityengagement-g@vt.edu
Check out the Staff Directory
- Southwest Virginia Digital Archive
- Special Collections and University Archives
- For more information, email specref@vt.edu
#VTDITC
Digging in the Crates: Hip Hop Studies at Virginia Tech, or #VTDITC, exists to foster community-based learning among hip hop artists, fans, practitioners, and scholars digitally and globally. We aim to model that students, faculty, and staff’s personal interests are worthy of academic study and publication as well as further institutionalize Hip Hop Studies’ presence on Virginia Tech’s campus and in the broader community.
Comunidad Book Club
El club de la comunidad (Comunidad Book Club) es un club de lectura en español creado en colaboración entre la Biblioteca pública de Blacksburg, la Biblioteca universitaria de Virginia Tech, El Centro Latinx (El Centro), la Asociación latina de organizaciones estudiantiles (LASO) y REFORMA (The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking). Comunidad Book Club da un lugar donde la comunidad hispanohablante de los condados de Franklin, Montgomery, y Roanoke se pueden juntar y hablar sobre lectura en español.
Maker Camp
Maker Camp is a camp for students ages 10-14 in the New River Valley. Our mission is to get students engaged in hands-on, creative collaboration and making. Each year, we issue a challenge for campers to build something out of found materials (cardboard, bottle caps, etc.), a Raspberry Pi computer, and small 3D-printed parts practicing design, 3D printing, coding, collaboration, and presentation skills. Maker Camp is made possible by a team of creative professionals from the University Libraries, ICAT, Pamplin College of Business, College of Engineering, and College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences’ School of Visual Arts.
Southwest Virginia Digital Archive
The Southwest Virginia Digital Archive is a collaborative partnership with cultural heritage organizations in the region, with the express purpose of providing display, access, and preservation services for partners' digital assets while enabling partner organizations to retain full rights to their cultural heritage materials.
Current institutional partners include: Montgomery Museum of Art & History, Taubman Museum of Art, Barter Theatre, Reynolds Homestead, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Christ Episcopal Church of Blacksburg, Blacksburg High School, and the Town of Crewe.
Contact dips@vt.edu