Wesley J. Chenault is the new Head, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library. He is charged with building VCU Libraries collections with pointed interests in under-represented communities.
According to University Librarian John Ulmschneider, "Chenault will use both traditional and state-of-the-art practices to develop, preserve and provide access to special collections, and help the VCU Libraries create a compelling vision for growing and celebrating these collections in the future. He will bring particular focus to the VCU Libraries' efforts to build world-class collections in fine arts (including comic arts) and community histories (including oral histories)
by cultivating appropriate relationships both with the VCU community and with the larger community of donors and committed supporters in Virginia and the Southeast region."
Chenault brings a firm foundation of education and experience to his new position, with a background that is especially well-suited to the focus and goals of the VCU Libraries.
Previously, he served as a research associate for the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History in the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and collaborated with librarians, archivists, community historians, citizen supporters, and others to build and expand access to collections that focus on the history of the African-American community in Georgia. As archivist at the Kenan Research Center in the Atlanta History Center, Chenault's work on collections that document the LGBT community in the Atlanta region was notable. Earlier professional experiences with the National Endowment for the Humanities and Georgia State University focused on collections related to women's studies, oral histories, and materials documenting business and civic leaders in Georgia.
Chenault holds the B.A. in psychology from Auburn University, the M.A. in Women's Studies from Georgia State University, and the Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico.
According to University Librarian John Ulmschneider, "Chenault will use both traditional and state-of-the-art practices to develop, preserve and provide access to special collections, and help the VCU Libraries create a compelling vision for growing and celebrating these collections in the future. He will bring particular focus to the VCU Libraries' efforts to build world-class collections in fine arts (including comic arts) and community histories (including oral histories)
by cultivating appropriate relationships both with the VCU community and with the larger community of donors and committed supporters in Virginia and the Southeast region."Chenault brings a firm foundation of education and experience to his new position, with a background that is especially well-suited to the focus and goals of the VCU Libraries.
Previously, he served as a research associate for the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History in the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and collaborated with librarians, archivists, community historians, citizen supporters, and others to build and expand access to collections that focus on the history of the African-American community in Georgia. As archivist at the Kenan Research Center in the Atlanta History Center, Chenault's work on collections that document the LGBT community in the Atlanta region was notable. Earlier professional experiences with the National Endowment for the Humanities and Georgia State University focused on collections related to women's studies, oral histories, and materials documenting business and civic leaders in Georgia.
Chenault holds the B.A. in psychology from Auburn University, the M.A. in Women's Studies from Georgia State University, and the Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico.