Please join us in welcoming our newest archivist: Anastasia Scholze-Wang. We are so excited to have her! Continue reading to learn a little bit about her.

Anastasia (she/her) joins the Special Collections Technical Services team as a processing archivist. In this position, she will work to survey, process, describe, and build finding aids for various collections. She has a BA in Music Performance (Voice) and an MLIS, both from the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. In her free time, Anastasia enjoys reading, singing with her guitar, and taking meandering walks at dusk.

What was your first ever job with books or libraries?

I was lucky enough to secure a job at Iowa’s music library right as I began my freshman year of college! I needed a job badly, and they had one open slot on Wednesday evenings. I picked up more shifts as the semester went on, and then worked as much as I could all through undergrad and my masters.

What was the first thing you collected as a child? What do you collect now? (oh, c’mon, admit it).

Maybe basic, but I think it was just books (or maybe the occasional rock) as a child… Now I’m building a vinyl record collection. It’s small, but growing. I would love to own more physical media – I have a fear of losing access to my digital music collection!

Hopefully you’ve been roaming Grounds and Charlottesville a bit since your arrival. What’s your favorite new discovery other than Special Collections?

The trees and hills! The hills can be brutal (especially if you’re still waking up as you walk into work), but I love seeing the mountains on the horizon. The trees are also so much taller than what I’m used to; they’re beautiful. It’s hot here, but there’s a lot of shade from said trees, which I really appreciate.

Tell us what excites you about your job?

Getting to know the materials and the people who make up the collections. At my last archives position, I worked on one specific project organizing the papers of an orchestra conductor who previously taught at the University of Iowa. I loved getting to know him through his letters, photographs, and other materials, and I’m very excited to get to do that here. I’m excited to learn more about Virginia and UVA history, and to be able to do it in a supportive environment that values reparative work.

Tell us something about Special Collections or UVA that is different from what you expected.

I didn’t realize how peaceful it would feel on campus. I started in the summer, so there’s not as much going on as during the school year. I love taking my lunch outside and finding new nooks and crannies to just sit and enjoy the sun for a while.

If you could be locked in any library or museum for a weekend, with the freedom to roam, enjoy, and study to your heart’s content, which one would you choose?

So many! I think my top two would be the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City to see a favorite artists’ (Remedios Varo) works and archive, and the LoC to spend time in the Music Division!