Funds slide away from Visual Resource Center

Amid looming speculation that budget cuts have led to the closing of VCU’s slide library, Richard Toscan, dean of the School of the Arts, asserts that there are no such plans. However, one thing is certain – Jeanne Boone will no longer oversee it.

Boone’s position as director of the Visual Resource Center has been eliminated in the latest of several cutbacks. The center, however, will not close.

This isn’t the first time the Visual Resource Center has experienced cuts.

“When I took over as director for the Visual Resource Center we had to significantly downsize to accommodate the budget situation, yet [we] continued to operate at optimum level,” Boone said. “I have learned that despite any adverse situations good can come out of anything that may appear devastating.”

In her 23 years at the Visual Resource Center, 12 as its director, Boone has overseen the collection’s growth to nearly 500,000 35mm slides, making the extensive slide library one of the top five largest in the nation.

Located on the second floor of the Pollak Building, the center’s slide collection encompasses the history of pre-historic art and includes art of ancient Egypt, pre-Colombia, North American Indian, Asia and African-American art history. Haitian art and Jewish art also are represented. VCU faculty, students, staff as well as citizens of Richmond, utilize the Visual Resource Center for research, class presentations and teaching. On average, the slide library circulates about 90,000 slides to approximately 700 patrons yearly.

As the only full-time professional in the center, Boone expresses some concern for her responsibilities and commitment to the slide library once she is gone. However, she said, she supports Toscan’s decision, referring to him as “a good leader with a smart business sense.” Hiring a part-time supervisor or allowing students to run the library have been propounded as possible staffing solutions.

“The School of the Arts is fortunate to have the caliber of committed faculty and staff who are creative, intelligent and dedicated to their profession,” she said. “I just want to encourage everyone not to worry. It will all work out for the good.”