February 2019 Newsletter

Michael Strom to Join Library as New State Archivist of Virginia

The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Strom as the State Archivist of Virginia and director of the Library’s Government Records Services Division. Strom, who will join the Library in mid-March, has served since 2011 as State Archivist of Wyoming, where he successfully implemented a digital archive for state agencies and increased public awareness of and access to Wyoming’s archival collections.

Strom holds a master’s degree in history from Central Washington University and a master’s degree in library and information science with a specialty in archival enterprise from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked at Yale University and Texas Christian University before joining the Wyoming State Archives. Strom has been active within the archival field and has served on the boards of the Society of Southwest Archivists and the Council of State Archivists.

“I am delighted that Michael will soon be joining us to lead our outstanding archival staff,” said Librarian of Virginia Sandra Treadway. “He will be a tremendous asset to the state archives program at the Library and to the wider archival community in the commonwealth.”

Seven Trailblazers Named 2019 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History

In observance of Black History Month, the Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy celebrated the achievements of seven African American leaders during the seventh annual Strong Men & Women in Virginia History awards program held Thursday, February 7, 2019, at the Richmond Marriott Hotel. The program honors prominent African Americans past and present who have made noteworthy and admirable contributions to the commonwealth, the nation, and their professions.

This year’s honorees are:

Biographies of the honorees are displayed in an exhibition at the Library each February; featured on materials that have been sent to schools, libraries, and museums across Virginia; and included on an educational website for teachers and students. Further information about distinguished African Americans from Virginia can be found in the Dictionary of Virginia Biography (Library of Virginia, 1998–2006).

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the Library Merge Databases of Records of Enslaved Virginians

The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture are collaborating to provide greater access to a database of records documenting the lives of enslaved Virginians. In early January of 2019, the Library’s Virginia Untold database (more than 10,000 records) was merged with the VMHC’s Unknown No Longer database (more than 500 documents, and close to 12,000 names), providing researchers with unprecedented access to an expanded collection of resources on the history of enslaved African Americans in Virginia. The combined database can be found at www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan/search-the-narrative.

“Joining forces with our friends at the Library of Virginia will make work we’ve done even more accessible and useful,” said VMHC’s president and CEO Jamie O. Bosket. “We are proud to contribute to the remembrance of so many people from our past whose names were forgotten for far too long.”

Both Virginia Untold and Unknown No Longer are sponsored in part by generous grants from Dominion Energy. Virginia Untold also receives federal funding through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Collaboration with Chesterfield County Public Library Improves Access to Genealogical Resources

A new collaboration with Chesterfield County Public Library has not only produced a model program partnership, but has also resulted in new patrons for the Library of Virginia. Ginny Dunn, the Library of Virginia’s archives and library reference services manager, recently spoke to attendees at a beginner genealogy class at Chesterfield County Public Library’s Central Library about research resources (digital and physical) available at the Library of Virginia. A week later, the class group visited the Library for an orientation session and a tour of the reading rooms. Many of the participants said they probably wouldn’t have made the trip to downtown Richmond without the ride provided by a Chesterfield County Public Library shuttle. Librarian Lori Purcell, who coordinates the Chesterfield County Public Library genealogy classes, reported that the visit was such a hit that the county will now sponsor shuttle trips to the Library once a month for research purposes. The Library of Virginia will use this as a model program for other public libraries that sponsor genealogical classes and clubs.

Find Fascinating Virginians on Changemakers Web Page

Students, educators, researchers, and history lovers can now find biographies and images of remarkable Virginians (past and present) on a new web page, Virginia Changemakers. These individuals have been honored through two of the Library of Virginia's signature programs, Strong Men and Women in Virginia History (celebrating Black History Month in February) and Virginia Women in History (celebrating Women's History month in March), and featured in our exhibition New Virginians: 1619–2019 & Beyond (exploring the state's increasing diversity).

Easily searchable by keyword, era, theme, or location, the site provides information and educational resources in a user-friendly central location. Students can search for biographies by themes such as arts and literature, civil rights and reform, and sports and media; researchers can explore a map of Virginia to find notable people across the state's regions; and teachers can download history month posters for classroom use. The section on New Virginians includes excerpts from the videotaped interviews with the recent immigrants to Virginia featured in the exhibition.

For more information on the Library's resources for students and educators, visit edu.lva.virginia.gov or contact Catherine Fitzgerald Wyatt at catherine.wyatt@lva.virginia.gov or 804.692.3999.

We Love Our Donors!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, the Library of Virginia extends a heartfelt thanks to our members and donors for their support. Thank you!

Not sure what to get your Valentine this year? Consider a gift membership. Donations starting at $50 provide all the benefits that come with membership, including an annual print subscription to Broadside, our quarterly magazine; 10 percent off all purchases at the Virginia Shops; and invitations to special members-only events and programs. Whether it’s time for you to renew or you want to join us for the first time, it’s easy to donate. You can print and mail the form located on the Library's website, visit us online at www.thevirginiashop.org/foundation-membership.aspx, or call Dawn Greggs at 804.692.3813.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Ellen and Orran Brown

Ellen and Orran Brown established the Brown Teacher Enrichment Fund at the Library of Virginia in 2009 in honor of his parents, Anne and Ryland Brown of Forest, Virginia, as a legacy to their lifelong belief in the power of education to improve an individual’s well-being and that of his or her family. The fund supports two annual programs, the Anne and Ryland Brown Teacher Institute and the Brown Teacher Research Fellowship. The Library of Virginia extends our thanks for their continued support of this teacher initiative.

The 9th Annual Brown Teacher Institute, to be held August 1–2, 2019, will focus on the woman suffrage movement in anticipation of our exhibition on the same topic opening next year. More details will be available soon.

The Brown Teacher Research Fellowship provides Virginia educators the opportunity to study a specific aspect of Virginia history and produce educational resources to support the Library of Virginia’s exhibition and education programs over the course of two weeks during the summer.

For more information about either program, visit http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/brown.

Save a Piece of the Past through the “Adopt Virginia’s History” Program

Adopting of a piece of Virginia history is a great way to honor a friend or family member. Your gift helps save a piece of the past by enhancing conservation efforts for the preservation of items from the Library of Virginia's unrivaled collections. These materials tell the story of Virginia and Virginians. You can help us protect them for future generations to study and enjoy. Our archivists are available to help you find the right item to adopt based on your specific interests.

We will acknowledge your generous adoption or contribution of $100 or more with a certificate and will note your gift in our online catalog according to your wishes—in celebration of a birthday, in memory of a loved one, or for another reason. You will be invited for a personal visit to Special Collections to see your adopted item after conservation.

We welcome donations to our general conservation fund in any amount. You can be proud of your contribution to this important cause, which is tax deductible.

For more information, visit www.lva.virginia.gov/involved/adopt.asp or contact Dawn Greggs at dawn.greggs@lva.virginia.gov or 804.692.3813.