The cornerstone for the University of Virginia was laid two years prior in 1817, and the university was officially founded in 1819. The first class of students entered the University in 1825. Thomas Jefferson designed the University with the idea of an “acedemical village” in mind. His design incorporated learning and academic pursuits into everyday life. The university library was situated at the head of the common grounds and was a central part of the campus. The university’s library was undoubtedly important to Jefferson, as he developed a strong collection development policy, which included the acquisition of one copy of every American scholarly work, something that was relatively unheard of during this period.

Sources:

Joanne E. Passet, “United States of America library history,” in Wayne A. Wiegand and Donald G. Davis, eds., Encyclopedia of library history(New York: Garland, 1994).

http://www.virginia.edu/