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.
Get Started
Location, Parking, and Accessibility
Get details about finding the library on KU's Lawrence campus.
Aeon Login
You need a current user account in our online system, Aeon, to access collections on-site at Spencer.
Spencer Collections
Find information about, and digitized surrogates of, materials in a variety of places.
Citation Guide
Get help citing Spencer materials, especially archival collections, using APA, MLA, and Chicago styles.
Current Hours
January 17-May 13
Building and Exhibits
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Reading Room (In-Person Research)
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
- Sat., Mar. 11: Closed, KU Spring Break
- Sat., Mar. 18: Closed, KU Spring Break
- Sat., May 13: Closed, Summer Break
New at Spencer Research Library
Current Exhibition
Discover Leavenworth's rich history through a traveling exhibit of post-Civil War photographs paired with items from Spencer's holdings. Open in the Exhibit Space through June 30.
New Blog Series
Check out "That’s Distinctive!" for a more lighthearted glimpse into the diverse and unique materials at Spencer – including items that many people may not realize the library holds.
Statement on Potentially Problematic Description
Learn how Spencer staff are addressing harmful language in our finding aids, catalog records, and digital descriptions.