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.

Throwback Thursday: Card Game Edition

December 28th, 2017

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 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

It’s National Card Playing Day! Follow the lead of the KU students in this week’s photograph and celebrate with a game or two.

Photograph of KU students playing cards, 1900

KU students playing cards, 1900. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 71/0 1900 Prints: Student Activities (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Holiday Lights Edition

December 21st, 2017

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 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Wishing all of our researchers, visitors, donors, friends, and supporters the merriest of holidays!

Photograph of Hoch Auditorium with holiday lights, 1954

Hoch Auditorium with holiday lights, 1954. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/22/33 1954 Negatives: Campus: Buildings: Hoch Auditorium (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Spencer Research Library will be closed from December 23rd through January 1st.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Hal Sandy Edition

December 14th, 2017

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 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We were saddened to hear about the death of Harold “Hal” Sandy, who created the Happy Jayhawk logo while a student at KU in 1946. Sandy’s Jayhawk is still in use today, seven decades later.

Photograph of Hal Sandy with Baby Jay, undated

Hal Sandy with Baby Jay, undated. Personal Papers of Hal and Wilda Sandy.
Call Number: PP 506. Click image to enlarge.

You can learn more about Hal Sandy by exploring the digital version of Spencer Research Library’s 2012 exhibit, 100 Years of the Jayhawk.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Study Session Edition

December 7th, 2017

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 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Good luck, Jayhawks, on final exams next week!

Photograph of a student studying, 1970-1971

A KU student studying, 1970-1971. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 56/0 1970-1971 Prints: Housing (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

You can find additional photos of KU students studying in a previous blog post from 2014.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Volleyball Edition

November 30th, 2017

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 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

KU’s volleyball team will begin its sixth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance tomorrow night with a first-round match against Missouri. Good luck, Jayhawks! Rock Chalk!

Photograph of KU volleyball player Julie Woodruff, 1989-1990

KU volleyball player Julie Woodruff, 1989-1990.
University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/20/32 Julie Woodruff 1989/1990 Prints:
Athletic Department: Women’s Volleyball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services