Kenneth Spencer Research Library

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 5,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Strong Hall construction, 1917. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/22/87 1917 Prints: Campus: Buildings: Strong Hall (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Strong Hall construction, 1918. Note that the photograph
was taken almost exactly ninety-seven years ago.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/22/87 1918 Negatives:
Campus: Buildings: Strong Hall (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Strong Hall construction, 1918. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/22/87 1918 Prints: Campus: Buildings: Strong Hall (Photos).
Click on image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt, Megan Sims, and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

This is the third installment in what will be a recurring series of posts introducing readers to the staff of the Kenneth Spencer Research Library. In this post we posit questions to Beth Whittaker, Assistant Dean for Distinctive Collections and Director of Spencer Research Library.

Beth M. Whittaker

Where are you from?

I grew up in Overland Park, KS, attended KU, and have lived several different places before returning to Lawrence.

What does your job at Spencer entail?

My position description says I “provide leadership, vision, and direction for the distinctive collections programs, services, and resources of the Libraries, enhancing and promoting the unique research, teaching, and learning opportunities these collections offer.”

Essentially I am here to help my colleagues get what they need to make our collections available for students, scholars, and the public. I set priorities and help get exciting initiatives off the ground.

How did you come to work in special collections and archives?

I actually began working in special collections as a student assistant here at the Spencer over twenty years ago. I came in one day to examine a manuscript for my master’s thesis, and I saw a job announcement. Within a year, I decided that special collections libraries were where I wanted to be. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in several different libraries before returning to where it all began, the Kenneth Spencer Research Library!

What part of your job do you like best?

I get to tell the story of the Spencer Library every day, in some way or another. I love talking to people; no one who knows me would argue with that!

What are your favorite pastimes outside of work?

I love being outdoors, and am an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer around the house. I spend most of my time outside of work with my family. I’m also very excited when I can get somewhere on my new scooter.

What piece of advice would you offer a researcher walking into Spencer Research Library for the first time?

Probably what I’m sure most of my colleagues have said in previous posts: we are here to help. I remember what it’s like the first time you walk into a research library like this. These are YOUR collections as much as they are ours.

Beth M. Whittaker
Assistant Dean for Distinctive Collections
Director of Spencer Research Library

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 5,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Three women sitting under Potter Bridge, 1920s. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Potter Bridge 1920s Prints:
Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt, Megan Sims, and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

In honor of National Running Day on June 3^rd, we’re highlighting our collection of one of KU’s most talented and famous milers, Jim Ryun. Starting his career at Wichita East High School, where he became the first high school student to run a mile in under four minutes, Ryun continued to break records at the University of Kansas. Not only did he set a new world record while running for KU in 1966 with a 3:51.3 minute mile, but he also won a silver medal at the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968. To learn more about Ryun’s extraordinary life and running career, check out “Ryun’s Run” by KU History’s Mark D. Hersey.

Ryun running at Wichita East High School, where he became the first high school student to run a mile in under four minutes. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/19 Ryun, Jim Prints: Athletics: Track and Field (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

A portion of an article from KU’s Alumni Magazine reporting on Ryun’s mile time that broke the world record in 1966. University Archives. Call Number: Biographical/Morgue File Jim Ryun. Click image to enlarge.

This document, created by Jay Simon, the Sports Information Director at KU in 1967, lists Ryun’s mile times that were under four minutes. University Archives. Call Number: Biographical/Morgue File Jim Ryun. Click image to enlarge.

Ryun in his KU track uniform with the Campanile in the background, circa 1967. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/19 Ryun, Jim Prints: Athletics: Track and Field (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Ryun signing autographs at the 1969 Kansas Relays. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/19 Ryun, Jim Prints: Athletics: Track and Field (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Ryun running in the Kansas Relays in 1987. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/19 Ryun, Jim Prints: Athletics: Track and Field (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Mindy Babarskis
Spencer Research Library Public Services