The University of Kansas

Inside Spencer: The KSRL Blog

Books on a shelf

Welcome to the Kenneth Spencer Research Library blog! As the special collections and archives library at the University of Kansas, Spencer is home to remarkable and diverse collections of rare and unique items. Explore the blog to learn about the work we do and the materials we collect.

Portal to the Past: KU’s Yearbook

September 20th, 2012

I find the KU yearbooks to be one of the most informative and entertaining resources in the University Archives. When you open the covers you are transported back to the 1930s, 1960s, or even the 1900s. The yearbooks span from 1873 to the present and depict student life, campus growth, and university history as it was happening.  By 1901 the University’s yearbook was given the name “The Jayhawker.”  The name was chosen by a committee of student representatives from each class with the hope that “The Jayhawker” would become the permanent name of the Annuals of Kansas University.  Their wish came true and the yearbook retains that title today.

The covers on display below have been chosen because they are indicative of the years they represent and are just plain fun – Enjoy!

Becky Schulte
University Archivist

Jayhawker: A Record of Events of the University of Kansas for the Year…
Spencer Library Call Numbers: LD2697 .J3 (Reading Room Reference Collection copy);
UA Ser 69/1 (University Archives copy). Click images to enlarge.

Image of 1902 Jayhawker  Image of 1926-27Jayhawker Yearbook

Above: 1902                                                         Above: 1926-1927
Below: 1927-28                                                       Below: 1930-31

Image of cover of 1927-28 Jayhawker Yearbook      Image of cover of 1930-31Jayhawker Yearbook

Image of cover of 1933-34 Jayhawker Yearbook      Image of Cover of 1934-35 Jayhawker Yearbook

Above: 1933-34                                                Above: 1934-35
Below: 1935-36                                                     Below: 1949

Image of Cover of 1935-36 Jayhawker Yearbook      Image of cover of 1949 Jayhawker Yearbook

   Image of Cover of 1958 Jayhawker Yearbook     Image of cover of 1959 Jayhawker Yearbook

Above: 1958                                                Above: 1959
Below: 1969                                                    Below: 1985

Image of cover of 1969 Jayhawker Yearbook     Image of cover of 1985 Jayhawker Yearbook

Want to browse more yearbooks in person?  Copies of  all of KU’s yearbooks are housed with the reference collection in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library Reading Room (you don’t even have to fill out a paging request). Come in and travel back in time with a KU yearbook!

Happy Birthday, Aeon!

August 30th, 2012

Late August marks the one year anniversary of the launch of Aeon at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library.  Aeon is an online researcher account system that replaces the library’s old paper registration cards and call slips.  All researchers who want to view materials in Spencer’s reading room should create an Aeon researcher account and use it to submit item requests.

Getting started is easier than ever.  The library now has two new video tutorials that will help you navigate creating your Aeon account and submitting paging requests.

Video Tutorial on Creating Your Aeon Account:

 

Video Tutorial on Requesting Items through Aeon:

 

You may also access these tutorials through the “Library Use and Policies” section of the Kenneth Spencer Research Library website at http://spencer.lib.ku.edu/using-the-library/library-use-and-policies (click on the tab for “Creating an Account and Registering through Aeon”).

Aeon offers several advantages to you as a researcher:

  • Aeon enables you to have a lasting record of all items you view in our reading room  (click on the “All requests” link on the main page of your Aeon Account).  This is particularly handy when you want to look at a book or manuscript collection that you’ve examined in the past, but whose precise title or call number you can no longer remember. Gone are the days of  “I remember that it was a big blue book with gold ornaments…”  Now you can simply login to your account and review what you requested the last time you were here.
  • Aeon allows you to submit paging requests from the comfort of your own home.  In fact, you can even “auto-populate” requests through KU’s online catalog.  Simply click on the “Get at Spencer Link” next to the location field in the online catalog record (see image below), and  you will be prompted to login to your Aeon account.  Once you do, Aeon will automatically transfer information, such as the title and call number,  from the catalog record to an item request. All you have to do then is scroll down and click “submit.”  Once you arrive on site in our Reading Room and show a photo ID, we will page your request.
  • Your Aeon account is not tied to your KU online ID, which means that researchers not affiliated with KU can create accounts and that KU faculty and students are able to retain their accounts (and continue to access them!)  after they leave KU.

Image of Online catalog record with "Get at Spencer" link highlighted

Above: Online catalog record with the “Get at Spencer” link circled in yellow

 

The system is a great example of how new technology can help facilitate the delightfully hands-on work of conducting research with archives, rare books, and manuscripts.  Happy first anniversary, Aeon!

Elspeth Healey
Special Collections Librarian

 

Join Our Team! (Position Opening: Head of Public Services)

June 29th, 2012

The Kenneth Spencer Research Library is hiring a new Head of Public Services.  To read more about this exciting opportunity, please take a look at our position announcement pamphlet:

Kenneth Spencer Research Library Head of Public Services Position Announcement (click on link for PDF File)

Image of Instruction at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library

Image of Entrance to the Spencer Research Library

Already sold? To apply, please navigate to KU’s Employment Opportunities  website (https://jobs.ku.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp) and search for position number 00007827. Applications are due by July 6th, 2012.