William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library

William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library is the central academic library of Hampton University, a premier historically black university in Hampton, Virginia. Named in honor of the university's long-serving president William R. Harvey and his wife, the facility serves as a critical hub for research, learning, and community engagement. It houses extensive collections that support the institution's diverse academic programs and preserves unique materials related to the African diaspora.

History

The library's origins are intertwined with the founding of the university itself, then known as Hampton Institute, which was established in 1868 by leaders of the American Missionary Association including Samuel Chapman Armstrong. The original library collections grew under the tenure of figures like Robert Russa Moton. The need for a modern facility culminated in the construction of the current building, which opened in 2009. This project was a cornerstone of the university's strategic development during the presidency of William R. Harvey, whose transformative leadership and philanthropic support, alongside his wife Norma B. Harvey, were formally recognized through the naming.

Architecture and facilities

The library is a modern, four-story structure designed to blend functionality with aesthetic appeal, prominently located on the university's historic Quadrangle. Its architecture incorporates large windows and open spaces to create an inviting atmosphere for study. Key facilities include the University Archives, specialized reading rooms, numerous group study areas, and a state-of-the-art Information Commons with extensive computer workstations. The building also features climate-controlled vaults for preserving rare materials and hosts the Emancipation Oak Room, a space dedicated to the university's legacy.

Collections and resources

Its collections encompass over 1.2 million volumes, including a substantial number of electronic resources, academic journals, and multimedia materials. The library is renowned for its distinctive holdings in the Hampton University Archives, which contain invaluable manuscripts, photographs, and artifacts documenting the African American experience. Special collections focus on areas such as the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Harlem Renaissance. It also provides access to major academic databases and maintains the NASA-affiliated Hampton University Research Center.

Services and programs

The library offers a comprehensive suite of services, including research assistance from professional librarians, information literacy instruction integrated into the curriculum, and interlibrary loan programs. It hosts regular exhibitions drawn from its archives, public lectures by scholars like Henry Louis Gates Jr., and cultural events that engage both the campus and the wider Hampton Roads community. Dedicated programs support student success through tutoring centers, writing labs, and workshops on digital scholarship tools, fostering a collaborative academic environment.

Role at Hampton University

As the intellectual heart of the campus, it is indispensable to the university's mission of providing a "student-centered, values-based education." It directly supports the research endeavors of faculty across schools such as the School of Business and the School of Science. The library is central to preserving the institutional history celebrated by alumni like Booker T. Washington and serves as a living monument to the philanthropic vision of the Harvey family. Its resources and programs are critical to maintaining Hampton University's status as a top-tier HBCU and a leader in higher education.