Kenneth Spencer Research Library
We welcome everyone to discover stories from KU, Kansas, and around the world within Spencer's remarkable and diverse collections. Here you can encounter rare and unique items ranging from 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets to more than one million historical photographs of KU.
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Service Updates
We are ready to welcome you safely for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Research Appointments
You can schedule an appointment to use the Reading Room. Appointments are not required.
Aeon Login
You need a current user account in our online system, Aeon, to access collections on-site at Spencer.
Spencer Collections
You can find information about, and digitized surrogates of, materials in a variety of places.
Current Hours
Spring 2022
January 17-May 14
Hours may change based on evolving COVID-19 circumstances and campus, local, state, and federal guidelines. Please check this page for updates before visiting Spencer.
Building Hours
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Reading Room Hours
Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Requests for collection materials are accepted until 30 minutes before the Reading Room closes.
Exceptions
- Mon., Jan. 17: Closed, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
- Sat., Mar. 12: Closed, KU Spring Break
- Sat., Mar. 19: Closed, KU Spring Break
- Sat., May 14: Closed, Summer Break
New at Spencer Research Library
Common Book Guide
Discover archival collections and print sources at Spencer that relate to the 2021-2022 KU Common Book, "Braiding Sweetgrass."
Citation Guide
Get help citing Spencer materials, especially archival collections. You'll find guidelines and examples for APA, MLA, and Chicago.