As one of the oldest and most prominent state libraries and archives in the nation, the Library of Virginia serves as a cornerstone of knowledge about the Commonwealth’s rich history, government, and people. Over the span of this storied legacy, new technologies,  greater access to information, a growing emphasis on collaboration and content creation, and increased community participation have meaningfully shifted the function of the library—prompting a renovation that strengthens its role as both a research center and a civic gathering place.

Under the thoughtful leadership of the Virginia Department of General Services and in collaboration with consulting designer Shepley Bulfinch, Baskervill is bringing renewed attention to the building’s potential as a public research space—reimagining its perception from a fortress that preserves historical records to an agora for the public. The future renovation will open the institution to the community, shifting it into a living center of knowledge that connects local heritage with wider networks of discovery.