Tucked away into the bowels of Alderman Library is a special room. Although rarely unvisited by many students, it is one of U.Va.'s greatest treasures. It is the McGregor room -- host to the University's Special Collections Library.
This weekend, though, the McGregor room welcomed a second -- but certainly not less important -- group.
Here, the Undergraduate Reading Series conducted its monthly meeting.
Pockets of people are scattered between the plastic chairs and the more desirable real-estate of the plush sofas in the back.
Some swagger in with confidence of someone who knows he belongs. Others, scared they might become the next poor soul to starve to death, lost in Alderman's massive stacks, or perhaps feeling they don't belong amongst the group of artists and authors, shuffle through the door and find a solitary seat.
Sitting in the room, though -- with its dark wood paneling, caged manuscripts and historic displays -- one cannot help but feel the tradition exuding from the walls.
New and old patrons alike speak a little quieter in the presence of these relics of genius. Brought together by a common interest and nourished by the history of the room, the spectators ready themselves to share an experience.
There are no superiors or inferiors here, whether someone wears plaid shorts, flip-flops and a hat with hair wings or 50s style shirts and pants with Diesel designer bowling shoes.
This event is the undergraduate reading series. It provides an opportunity for undergraduate poets and fiction writers to share their work with peers.
Lisa Russ Spaar, faculty advisor to the Undergraduate Reading Series, expressed "gratitude to the library for support and providing a venue for literary resources."
"It's great to be in such a historical setting," Spaar said.
When the series originally began, in 1995, the readings were conducted at the local Barnes & Noble, Spaar said. Although she said she was grateful for the venue and local support, Barnes & Noble had some limitations.
The youthful atmosphere, Spaar said, often led to self-censoring by the poets and authors.
"The family audience with kids walking by and people buying Bibles behind you" was always a challenge, Spaar remembered.
That room "is like a book womb," third-year College student Kelly Ramsey remarked, with deep awe in her eyes.
The importance of location becomes even more apparent as individual readers approach the lectern. The torch of artistic endeavor and accomplishment moves from the pages of literary masters to the personas of the readers.
Third-year College student Penn Whaling, series organizer said she tries to make this experience as broad and available as possible by choosing two poets and two fiction writers for each reading.
Along with the variation of form and style, Whaling said she also chooses two men and two women to read in the monthly exhibition.
This variation draws an eclectic group of readers and spectators. This past Monday night, for example, the works ranged from one man's comical and stirring courtroom defense to a collection of shorter poems about a midget named Lucky with trees growing from his arms.
Each of the readers also possessed a different style. While one aimed for a more rugged look with the unbuttoned river-driver shirt, scarf and headband, another wore sports jeans and a tee-shirt. Yet another decided that retro is the look of the day.
Despite the differences, both in style of writing and in person, the series provides an opportunity for students to gather and share their work.
"Its great to get to know undergraduates that aren't in my classes and give them an opportunity to showcase their work and humor," Spaar said.
The readers also expressed their appreciation of this arena.
For most of the readers, the undergraduate reading series is their first time reading in a public forum. Despite writing for five years, fourth-year College student Will Lucas said he had cold feet.
"I was definitely nervous at first, but you get over that during first paragraph," Lucas said. "It was a good time."
Ramsey agreed.
"I was super-nervous, but it was good," she said. "I had invited a bunch of my friends, so I felt kind of like I was cheating."
Inviting her friends, Ramsey inadvertently demonstrated the forum's desire to be open to everybody -- from the avid writer, hobbyist and non-writer to everyone and anyone in between.
Falling somewhere between master and hobbyist, fourth-year College student Niko Schutte said, while he admits he would love to be published, it's not his ultimate ambition.
Ramsey, on the other hand, commenting on her reintroduction to writing in college, said her passion didn't leave room for other academic endeavors.
"Everything was downhill from there," Ramsey said. "I'm gonna be a poet. I need to move to California or Greece. How do you write poetry in Ohio?" Despite their different goals, though, each was equally well received.
When all is said and done, the reading series is about community. It strengthens the existing bonds within creative writing circles and offers people wishing to be a part of that community a very accessible inlet.
And whether there to read or listen, the group has one thing in common.
As Whaling said, "Its really fun to make my friends read, and then we go get drunk."
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