Eric D.M. Johnson has joined VCU Libraries as Head of Innovative Media, a key initiative of the libraries.

Johnson will take an immediate role shaping a state-of-the-art innovative media studio for the new library building on the Monroe Park Campus, which is scheduled to open in 2015. In addition, he will establish strategic relationships with faculty and staff at VCU to design services and educational programs to support students' curricular requirements in creating, disseminating and using all forms of media.

"Working collaboratively with faculty colleagues in the VCU Libraries and throughout the university, Mr. Johnson will ensure that VCU's library system is at the center of new and evolving uses of media for course-related and research needs," said University Librarian John E. Ulmschneider.

Said Johnson: "I'm excited to have the opportunity to help build a community of diverse producers and users of media from across campus, welcoming them to a new space in the library in which they can explore creative ways to tell the stories--through sound, image, animation and more--that they want to tell." 

Johnson brings a strong foundation of education and experience his new role, with a background that is especially well-suited to the VCU Libraries' emerging efforts with innovative media. His professional experience includes two years as Head, Outreach and Public Services at the Scholar's Lab at the libraries of the University of Virginia. Prior to that, he served in several librarian and social media positions at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in Charlottesville. He holds a B.A. in History from the College of William & Mary, the M.A in U.S. History from George Mason University and the M.S. in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University.     

Members of the VCU community are invited to reach out to Johnson and share their interests and ideas. Contact: edjohnson@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2802.