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Spencer Research Library is located at 1450 Poplar Lane, behind Strong Hall, on the University of Kansas main campus in Lawrence. The easiest way to reach the Library is from Jayhawk Boulevard. Visitors should walk through the rotunda of Strong Hall and cross the terrace connected to the library. Please note that snow and ice may close the terrace during the winter months.

A second entrance is located on Spencer's ground floor, beneath the terrace to Strong Hall and adjacent to the covered parking area off Poplar Lane.

There is no entrance to Spencer Research Library on the north side of the building, along Memorial Drive.

Directions

By Car

The easiest way to reach campus by car is by taking I-70 to Exit 202 in Lawrence. You will need to pay a toll; more information about rates and methods of payment is available from the Kansas Turnpike Authority. From the toll booth, drive south on McDonald Drive. Stay in the left lane to merge onto Iowa Street. In about one mile, turn left onto 15th Street/Bob Billings Parkway.

By Public Transit

Spencer Research Library is accessible via the Lawrence Transit system. You can find bus routes and other information on the Lawrence Transit website. All buses are free.

Parking

Library Parking Space

Spencer Research Library has one reserved parking space for researchers, visitors, and donors. The space is free and located on Poplar Lane near the library building. To request the parking space, please complete and submit our parking request form.

• We must receive the form before 9 a.m. one business day (Monday through Friday) in advance of your visit. Library staff needs to forward your information to KU Parking, as traffic in the central campus area is usually restricted and only authorized vehicles may enter.
• Reservations for the space are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend that you submit your request as early as possible.
• You will need to complete and submit a new/separate parking request form for each library visit.
• Spencer Research Library's parking space is not available to visitors with a KU parking permit.

A Spencer staff member will follow up with you after receiving the completed form, providing directions for finding the space or notification that the space is unavailable. Please do not consider the space reserved until you have received verification.

Contact Caitlin Klepper, Head of Public Services, at cklepper@ku.edu or 785-864-4456 if you have any questions.

Other Campus Parking

On-campus parking is generally restricted to KU faculty, staff, and students.

Spaces along Poplar Lane and under the terrace connecting Spencer Research Library to Strong Hall require a staff permit 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The closest parking option for visitors coming to the library during regular weekday business hours is the Mississippi Street garage. It is adjacent to the Memorial Union.

• Parking in the garage is $1.75 for the first hour or any portion of an hour, and $1.50 per hour for all subsequent hours. Visitors should proceed to the pay station within 15 minutes of entering the garage or use one of KU’s phone payment apps to pre-pay for parking. Garage pay stations accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or cash. Be sure to have exact change if paying by cash.
• Spencer Research Library is a five- to ten-minute walk from the Mississippi Street garage. Alternatively, visitors may use any bus to get around campus, which is a fare free zone. Bus stops can be found in or near most parking lots; routes and schedules are available on the Lawrence Transit website.

Visitors who come to the library on Saturday or attend an evening library event can park for free along Memorial Drive, which runs along the north side of the building. There is a sizeable staircase between Memorial Drive and Spencer Research Library. Parking along Memorial Drive is sometimes limited in the evenings, and it isn’t available on Saturdays in the fall when there is a home KU football game. Be sure to check all signage before parking on campus.

Accessible Campus Parking

There are several accessible parking spaces near Spencer Research Library:

• two on Poplar Lane immediately before (to the west of) the terrace,
• two underneath the terrace right outside the building’s ground-level entrance, and
• several further along Poplar Lane behind Bailey Hall.

An official state-issued ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) license plate or placard is required and must be displayed to park in standard accessible (marked with the international wheelchair symbol) and limited mobility parking spaces.

Visitors parking in accessible spaces during the week (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) need to first follow these additional steps:

1. Stop at a traffic control booth at an entrance to Jayhawk Boulevard or go to the KU Parking office.
2. Present your ADA wallet identification or registration and your driver’s license.
3. Purchase a half-day ($1.50) or full-day ($3.00) permit.

Pick-up/Drop-off Information

Visitors

Library visitors (including researchers and donors) who will be dropped off at and/or picked up from the library are strongly encouraged to contact Caitlin Klepper, Head of Public Services, in advance. Library staff needs to forward your information to KU Parking, as traffic in the central campus area is usually restricted and only authorized vehicles may enter.

Donations

Donors dropping off collection materials at the library must first stop at a campus traffic booth. Let the attendant know the purpose and destination of your visit; they will issue you a free short-term parking permit. You can pull up to Spencer under the terrace, across from the parking spaces. Please bring donations to the third-floor reception desk. Be sure that someone is with your vehicle at all times.

Accessibility

The ground floor door (in the covered parking area off Poplar Lane) of Spencer Research Library is approached by sidewalks with curb cuts and has powered doors activated by clearly marked buttons. These are particularly useful for visitors using wheelchairs or carrying awkward packages.

All public areas of the library are wheelchair accessible and have braille signage.

All floors of the library are served by an elevator located just inside the entrance doors.

Accessible, gender neutral restrooms equipped with changing stations are located on the ground floor.

Spencer Research Library has a wheelchair available for researchers, visitors, and donors. Ask at the Spencer reception desk about using the wheelchair during your library visit, or contact Caitlin Donnelly Klepper, Head of Public Services, at cklepper@ku.edu or 785-864-4456.

Summer Campus Construction

Streets on and around campus are frequently closed each summer due to construction projects. Check the KU Facilities Planning and Development construction closures page for more information.