From the Editor: It’s beautiful. What shall we call it?

We’ve been looking forward to our cover story for five years.

It was in the Spring 2019 Virginia Magazine that we first delved into the ambitious renovation plans for Alderman Library, that venerable 1930s structure with good bones, bad plumbing, and no apparent fear of a fire.

We’ve continued to track the project’s progress closely, including with our Winter 2020 cover about the demolition of the Stacks. Our plans for covering the reopening began almost a year ago. For that, we owe great thanks to the library staff and broader project team. They allowed us tours during construction and near its completion and have served as ready resources throughout.

As topics go, then, this one held all the promise of being relatively straightforward. For the most part that has been the case, except for one fundamental detail: What will the University call the renovated library? As of press time, we don’t know.

The question has simmered for a while, even before the summer of 2021, when University Librarian John M. Unsworth (Grad ’88) formally petitioned to retire first president Edwin A. Alderman’s name from the building. Since then, a blue-ribbon committee has recommended the naming honors pass to UVA’s fourth president, Edgar F. Shannon Jr. Our story “Renovating the name, too” provides background and explains why.

Anticipation of a Board of Visitors decision on the matter has been building for nearly a year. They’ve promised to bring it to a vote by March 1.

For all our planning, that timing hits after we go to press but before print subscribers receive their magazines. That’s why you’ll see this edition continue to refer to the building as Alderman Library, the official name as of press time and pending Board action. Depending on what happens, our nomenclature will seem either quaint or prophetic. Either way, we’ll let you know the latest via our monthly email and online.

Names aside, the new place is stunningly beautiful. With two photographers having had free run of the place for weeks, we can’t wait for you to see it. You should come see it for yourself, just in case you needed an extra excuse to visit Grounds.

Richard Gard (Col ’81)
Vice President, Communications, 
UVA Alumni Association