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: Team Portrait Edition

January 9th, 2020

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!

Photograph of the KU women's basketball team, 1902-1903
The KU women’s basketball team, 1902-1903. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/20/13 1902/1903: Athletic Department: Women’s Basketball (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

See Spencer’s online exhibition Women’s Athletics at KU: From Physical Education to Recognized Athletic Program for more information about the history of women’s basketball and other sports at the university.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Jayhawk Buffet Edition

January 2nd, 2020

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!

Happy National Buffet Day, Jayhawks!

Photograph of the buffet at a KU event for the Orange Bowl, 1969
The buffet at a KU event during Orange Bowl festivities in Miami, Florida, January 1969. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/66/14 1969: Student Activities: Sports: Football (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Togetherness Edition

December 26th, 2019

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 hope all Jayhawks are enjoying a very merry holiday season with their families and friends!

A portrait of a group of KU students, 1912-1913
A group of KU students, 1912-1913. Note the KU pillows on their laps. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/0 1912/1913: Student Activities (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Holiday Lights Edition, Part II

December 19th, 2019

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!

Photograph of Strong Hall with holiday lights, 1952
Strong Hall with holiday lights, 1952. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/22/87 1952 Prints: Campus: Buildings: Strong Hall (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Hit the Books Edition

December 12th, 2019

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 to KU students as they wrap up the Fall 2019 semester today and take final exams next week!

Photograph of KU students working in the Undergraduate Reading Room at Watson Library, 1962
KU students working in the Undergraduate Reading Room at Watson Library, 1962. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 32/0 1962 Prints: University of Kansas Libraries (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services