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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: Football Program Edition

November 5th, 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!

Who’s excited to cheer on the Jayhawks this Saturday as they play the University of Oklahoma?

Cover of The Jayhawk Gridster for the KU football game against the University of Oklahoma, November 9, 1940
The cover of The Jayhawk Gridster souvenir program for the KU football game against the University of Oklahoma, November 9, 1940. University Archives. Call Number: RG 66/14/1: Athletic Department: Football: Programs. Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Beat Oklahoma Edition, Part III

October 3rd, 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!

A covered wagon in front of Strong Hall with a “Sooner Late Jayhawk Sooner” banner, 1938-1939. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/66/14 1938/1939 Negatives: Student Activities: Sports: Football (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Victory Celebration Edition

January 7th, 2016

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 17,900 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We’re still smiling about the Jayhawks’ victory over the University of Oklahoma on Monday night, so this week’s photo highlights another dramatic meeting between these two teams.

Photograph of KU basketball game against OU, 1971

A KU basketball player cuts down the net after a
win against Oklahoma, 1970/1971. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/13 1970/1971 Games Oklahoma:
Athletic Department: Basketball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

The game was presumably the one that took place at Allen Fieldhouse on March 6, 1971. The Jayhawks defeated the Sooners in overtime, 54-52, on their way to winning the Big 8 conference.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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