Next job: Chairman of the Bard

Stephen Enniss, director of special collections and archives for the general libraries of Emory University, has been named chief librarian of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington.

Under Enniss’ leadership, Emory has built one of the major literary archives in North America. Acquisitions include the papers of major American, British and Irish writers, such as Ted Hughes, Alice Walker, Seamus Heaney and Flannery O’Connor. Among the greatest coups are the 75,000-volume Raymond Danowski Poetry Library in 2004 and the papers of Salman Rushdie in 2006.

Ennis, 48, an Atlanta native, joined Emory shortly after earning his Ph.D from the University of Georgia. He says he was not looking to leave when the Folger came courting but was impressed with the collection and staff and won over by the opportunity to try something new.

“The Folger’s scope encompasses British literature from 1500-1750,” he says. “At Emory I’ve been working with modern literature.

“Part of the attraction was developing another side of my brain.”

Folger director Gail Paster cites not only Enniss’ “amazing track record” for bringing in major papers as a factor in recruiting him, but also his effective advocacy for the value of the research library.

“Stephen has had a remarkable career building Emory University’s Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library into a formidable collection and a thriving intellectual center,” she says. “I know he will be just as successful at the Folger, overseeing the world’s largest Shakespeare collection and reaching out with passion and conviction to booklovers in Washington and around the world.”

Enniss, who leaves Emory Oct. 31, will oversee library operations and acquisitions at the Folger and lead its digitization initiative.

“We are proud to see him take on this new endeavor at the Folger,” says Rick Luce, vice provost and director of University Libraries at Emory.

Assistant director Naomi Nelson has been named Emory’s interim director. There will be an international search to fill the position.