Jones, Virginia Lacy, 1912-1984

Virginia Lacy Jones (b. 1912 - d. 1984) was a librarian, educator, author, and – among library educators – known as "the Dean of Deans." She dedicated almost fifty years of her life to the library profession, thirty-six of which she spent as Dean of the School of Library Service at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University). Her career began at Atlanta University in 1939 as Catalog Librarian in Trevor Arnett Library. Dr. Rufus Clement, President of Atlanta University invited her to join the faculty when the library school opened in 1941. Virginia remained a member of the faculty until she received a fellowship to pursue a Doctorate degree from the University of Chicago. She received her degree in 1945, becoming the second African American to receive a Ph.D. in Library Service. She returned to Atlanta University to serve as the second dean of the School of Library Service (later named the School of Library and Information Studies) – a position she held until her appointment in 1981 as the first Director of the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library.

The daughter of Edward and Ellen Lacy, Virginia was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Virginia was especially close to her mother and her mother's sister, Leila Bowman; she became Leila's primary caretaker during her senior years. In 1941, Virginia married Edward A. (E. A.) Jones, a professor of French at Morehouse College. They were married for forty years, until his death in 1981. She was the step-mother to E.A.'s two sons, Edward Jones Jr. and Carl Jones. Photographs, correspondence, and other personal information throughout the collection provide a glimpse into the close relationship Virginia shared with her relatives.

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