The UncommonWealth – Voices from The Library of Virginia

Picturing Where Stories Live: A Look Inside

Founded in 1928, Massanutten Regional Library (MRL) is a seven-branch system that serves over 160,000 residents in the city of Harrisonburg, Page County, and Rockingham…

Your Local Public LibrarianSeptember 14, 2026

The Stacks

Transforming the Future of Libraries & Archives 2026

For college students, summertime is invaluable. This period away from school can take many forms. It’s perfect for catching up on sleep, scheduling those oft-ignored…

Rachel Murphy-WeastSeptember 9, 2026

Archives Digital Projects

Old School Tech

Many school librarians now-a-days take care of more than just books. Some have even been given the title “Media Specialist” (rather than the more traditional…

Jessi BennettSeptember 2, 2026

Archives Digital Projects Manuscripts & Special Collections

Six Bills of Sale, Seven Enslaved People

When I first listened to a voicemail from Boyd Greever back in March of this year, I assumed he just wanted to chat about his…

Lydia NeurothAugust 26, 2026

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections

More Than a Policy: Enslaved Life Insurance and Virginia’s Industrial Economy

Many of us know what a life insurance policy looks like. Even if we have never owned one, we understand its basic purpose: a person…

Michelle Evans OliverAugust 24, 2026

The Stacks

Storing Isn’t Managing: The Government Records Problem Hiding in Plain Sight

The evolution of the management of government records has surpassed the complexities of paper formats. Government entities are taking measures to facilitate digitization projects, which…