‘We have all the neat stuff’

VCU’s James Branch Cabell Library has a history as rich and diverse as the city of Richmond itself.

The library reserves a section on the fourth floor for special historical artifacts and documents that can be observed or used by students.

This section, known as the Special Collections and Archives, features the best of the 20th century as it pertains to the university and to Central Virginia.

Ray Bonis, assistant archivist, explained what is housed in the special collections section.

“We try to collect stuff and materials that other institutions in Richmond weren’t collecting,” Bonis said. “We have records mostly – or organizations – from the 20th century documenting Richmond’s development.

“We have a large collection of everything from Style Magazine,” he said, “and the Richmond Free-Press to lots of alternative newspapers that have existed in Richmond over the years.”

John Ulmschneider, the University Librarian in charge of special collections at the James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus and the Tompkins-McCaw Library on the MCV Campus, said special collections contains many interesting artifacts.

“The special collections represent unique items,” Ulmschneider said.

One thing that makes this historical collection different is its comic book collection. Ulmschneider said this collection was a big draw to students in the field of fine arts.

“These comic book collections are used by students in the creative arts, students who are in graphic design and those who want to be writers or novelists,” he said.

Although a comic book collection may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Special Collections and Archives, Bonis points out that there is more than one way to look at the comic strips in the collection.

“These cartoons can be approached two different ways,” Bonis said. “One is in looking at these cartoons from 60-plus years ago, they give you another way of looking at American history.

“Another thing is just from the perspective of art,” he said. “We have a number of art students that come into special collections.”

Not only does this collection have the typical comic books with superheroes, but it also features political and editorial cartoons from the past, including a display of presidential cartoons from over the years. Last November, some of the works were displayed during the presidential elections.

“We thought that it was timely,” Bonis said. “We showed some of the books and collections that have editorial cartoons, as well as displays that had “Mad” magazine and things.”

The archives also feature books on art exhibitions and sculptures. Ulmschneider said the exhibition collection is one of the most important in the archives.

“Whenever there’s an art exhibit in the United States, a catalog is published for that exhibition, Ulmschneider said. “We have one of the leading collections of such catalogs in the country. They’re very important for our School of the Arts.”

There are also books that may appeal to other majors on the VCU campus.

“We have a lot of books in art and history,” Bonis said. “Another significant thing is the collections of architectural history in Virginia.”

The Cabell Library also includes another piece of architectural history in the archives: a representation of James Branch Cabell’s study and ante room including some original furniture and some of Cabell’s works. In observing these rooms, students get a history lesson on the works of Cabell.

“James Branch Cabell was a prominent Richmond writer in the 20th century,” Ulmschneider said. “He wrote over 40 books and was a well known American writer in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s.”

Bonis briefly explained how the library on the Monroe Park Campus came to be called the James Branch Cabell library.

“When they created MCV and VCU, the state said that VCU had to build a library. As they were planning the library,” he said, “they asked Cabell’s wife if they could name the library after him.

“They also asked if they could get his personal library. It was 2,000 volumes of his work. We also managed to get his personal manuscripts and papers as well.”

Ulmschneider said renovation plans are in the works for this historic room.

“We’re in the middle of a capital campaign,” he said. “A fundraising campaign that we hope will generate enough funds for us to complete renovation of the room. We’re going to improve the lighting and expand the ante room.”

This expanded space, he said, will be used as a study area for students and a meeting place for faculty and visitors.

“When I came here, this room was treated more like a museum piece,” Ulmschneider said. “We’re making more use of it now.

“I think that’s what James Branch Cabell would have wanted – highlight the room, expand it and making it useful to the students.”

In all, Bonis said the archives have a special purpose for students, as well as the university.

“Today, most libraries tend to have the same old things,” he said. “What makes this library unique is the stuff that tends to be up here, like the comic collection, book art collection, manuscripts of Richmond civic groups and politics.

“That’s what’s so interesting about working up here,” he said. “We have all the neat stuff.”

Special Collections and Archives also strives to maintain VCU’s commitment to diversity in the VCU community.

“We have things that say something about us,” Ulmschneider said. “Our focus on 20th century history and the history of other documented communities is consistent with VCU’s commitment to its community and its diversity.

“That is the spirit we are trying to embody in our special collections.”