News
Thu, 05/14/2026
KU Libraries student employees recognized with dean’s awards
Two University of Kansas student employees who do vital work in Spencer Research Library's public services and a KU Libraries student ambassador were honored among their peers and supervisors at the 14th annual Dean's Award for Student Employee Excellence (DASEE) luncheon on May 7, at Watson Library.
Tue, 05/12/2026
Former dean Lorraine Haricombe to speak on libraries and digital scholarship
The University of Kansas Libraries will welcome former dean and international library leader Lorraine Haricombe as the next guest in its “Global Conversations in Librarianship” series.
Fri, 05/01/2026
KU Libraries select Sprints Week participants for research and teaching collaborations
The University of Kansas Libraries have selected three faculty and academic staff members to collaborate with specialized teams of librarians during Sprints Week, May 18–22, an intensive program designed to address course development and research challenges.
Wed, 04/29/2026
Prepare for coming changes to KU libraries systems
KU Libraries – including the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, Wheat Law Library, and KU Medical Center – is preparing to launch a new library services platform (LSP), FOLIO, on June 3, bringing backend upgrades and user-facing changes that will affect how students, faculty, and staff search for and access library materials. Users must save legacy data from Bookbag and My Favorites by May 26.
Wed, 04/29/2026
Lost history recovered: KU digital humanities team adds missing pages to The Call archives
In a cardboard box tucked away in an office in the 18th and Vine District, a decade of Kansas City history was slowly turning into a collection of unreadable plastic circles. A KU librarian and three undergraduate students stepped in to preserve the archives from The Call.
Tue, 04/28/2026
Winners crowned at the 68th annual Snyder Book Collecting Contest
The University of Kansas Libraries recently honored 11 student finalists and awarded cash prizes during a reception at Watson Library. Established in 1956, the contest is designed to encourage students to experience the joy of building personal libraries highlighting their unique interests and passions.
Wed, 04/08/2026
KU Libraries to host ALC Spring Meeting, showcase Africa-related resources
For the first time in a decade, KU Libraries will host the spring meeting of the African Studies Association’s Africana Librarians Council. The university community is invited to Africa Day on April 15.
Wed, 04/01/2026
KU Libraries select travel award recipients, prepare to host visiting scholars
Six scholars representing institutions in four states, the District of Columbia and Italy were recently selected as KU Libraries' travel award winners, enabling visiting faculty, students and independent researchers to connect to the Kenneth Spencer Research Library’s rare materials and expert curators.
Thu, 03/26/2026
KU Libraries, CURF open student research gallery at Anschutz Library
A small crowd gathered Wednesday afternoon along with KU Libraries faculty and staff for the opening of the Student Research Gallery at Anschutz Library, marking a new showcase for student research posters.
Mon, 03/23/2026
New student research gallery to debut at Anschutz Library
KU Libraries and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) will open an exhibit featuring Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in a new gallery space in Anschutz Library dedicated to highlighting student research on the Lawrence campus. The community is invited to an opening reception, with light refreshments and brief remarks from CURF and KU Libraries collaborators on March 25 at 2 p.m.
Wed, 03/18/2026
Winter research roundup from journals published by KU Libraries
New research published in KU Libraries-hosted journals explores some of today's most pressing issues in sports, education, health and philosophy.
Tue, 03/17/2026
KU Libraries launch inaugural David M. Bergeron and Geraldo Sousa Exhibit highlighting partnerships, showcasing collections
In a new exhibition in Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas, historical texts and contemporary artwork sit side by side, inviting intergenerational exploration and new ideas about the universal experience of growing older. An opening reception for “Aging, Art, and Activism: Reimagining Our Aging Futures through Creative Representations and Personal Narratives” will take place March 31.
Fri, 03/13/2026
KU Reads Teach-In explores use of ‘Orbital’ in the classroom
KU Reads: A Common Book Experience invites faculty and instructors to join the 2026 KU Reads Teach-In, an afternoon of informal discussion and faculty-led sessions to encourage integration of next year’s book selection, “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey, into curriculum and programming.
Fri, 03/13/2026
KU grant program works to cut textbook costs and boost retention
A recent $225,000 investment from the Office of the Provost into the Deans’ Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant Initiative aims to reduce textbook-related costs for students and support retention by encouraging adoption of free and public educational materials in high-enrollment courses over the next few years.
Thu, 03/12/2026
Submissions now being accepted for 2026-27 KU Libraries LibArt showcase
KU Libraries is now accepting submissions for its annual LibArt student art exhibition, marking its 16th year. Students have the opportunity for their work to be showcased year-round in the libraries’ public spaces and win cash prizes totaling $5,000.
Thu, 03/05/2026
Trevor Rivers named 2026 Textbook Hero for creating open resource to reshape introduction to biology, reduce student costs
Trevor Rivers, associate teaching professor of biology, has been named KU Libraries 2026 Textbook Hero for extending his student-centered, curiosity-driven teaching style into the creation of open educational resources (OER). Rivers’ efforts have reshaped how nearly 2,000 students each year will encounter introductory biology at the University of Kansas, and replaced an $80 commercial text with a free, easily accessible, multimedia resource, creating significant financial savings for students.
Fri, 02/27/2026
KU Libraries to debut Thursday Movie Matinees featuring Studio Ghibli film series
The University of Kansas Libraries invite the campus community to attend Thursday Movie Matinees, a new monthly curated film experience designed to bring cinema and scholarship together. Each screening will take place in The Kettle, Watson Library 325, offering an opportunity to watch movies, participate in optional facilitated discussions, and hear commentary from experts.
Fri, 02/27/2026
KU Libraries work towards improved service platform continues ahead of June launch
KU Libraries is preparing to go live this summer with a new library services platform (LSP), FOLIO, and a suite of integrated products to empower essential backend capabilities and user-facing upgrades. The new open‑source system will enhance functionality for instructors and students, increase efficiencies in essential libraries services, unify systems across the Lawrence campus, Wheat Law Library, and KU Medical Center, and better support library user needs.
Fri, 02/27/2026
Libraries advance strategic collection development, aid scholarly communication through new, renewed agreements
KU Libraries are building bridges and forging new paths as the academic community navigates rapidly evolving information needs and changing publishing practices. A set of new deals and renewals, with more in the works, demonstrates librarians’ ongoing efforts to build collections and resources while carefully managing limited funding, a complex and intricate process.
Mon, 02/23/2026
Library of Congress rare books chief to return to KU for Snyder Book Collecting Contest
Stephanie Stillo’s journey has stretched coast to coast, but it was in Kansas where an extraordinary path began to reveal itself. Stillo, who graduated from KU in 2014 with a doctorate in modern European history, returns to the university April 16 as the keynote speaker for KU Libraries’ Snyder Book Collecting Contest. The contest is now accepting student entries through March 24, celebrating 68 years of encouraging student book collections.
Fri, 02/13/2026
Celebration marks Gorton Music and Dance Library silver anniversary
Alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Gorton Music and Dance Library gathered inside to honor the building’s silver anniversary with a reception and short program Thursday evening. Guests were treated to a performance by Cornerstone String Quartet student ensemble, while enjoying refreshments, conversation, KU Libraries’ Jayhawk Jukebox traveling exhibit, and browsing the stacks, before remarks on the library’s past and future.
Thu, 02/12/2026
BiblioBios: Associate librarian and rare materials cataloger, Dean expands access to Spencer’s collections
For more than a decade, Jason W. Dean has built a career around making rare and often inaccessible materials discoverable, understandable and usable for scholars around the world.
Sun, 02/08/2026
KU Libraries Sprints Week produces research, teaching results
Each year, KU faculty and instructors have the opportunity to turn their own research or teaching project into reality during Sprints Week, with applications for the 2026 cohort open now through March 2. Accepted applicants will be notified by the end of March with Sprints Week taking place during summer intersession – this year slated for May 18-22. Selected faculty receive a $1,000 stipend and dedicated time with expert library teams, tailored to their project.
Mon, 02/02/2026
‘No more excuse’: KU professor launches research journal for undergraduates
After years of seeing strong student theses go unpublished, a KU faculty member started an undergraduate journal to showcase international studies research.
Mon, 02/02/2026
KU Libraries activities to highlight Love Data Week
KU Libraries will host data-related events, activities and learning opportunities during Love Data Week, an international celebration of research data and data management to take place Feb. 9-13.
Fri, 01/30/2026
Gorton Music & Dance Library to celebrate quarter century milestone
For 25 years, the Thomas A. Gorton Music & Dance Library has been a cornerstone of performing arts scholarship, providing a home for learning, creativity and connection in Murphy Hall. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters are invited to a series of events Feb. 12-18 to honor the library’s quarter century of partnership as a pivotal university resource.
Wed, 01/28/2026
KU Reads continues university, community connections with slate of spring events
Several events are planned throughout spring 2026 centered on the KU Reads 2025-26 Common Book, “The Anthropocene Reviewed,” by John Green.
Thu, 01/22/2026
KU Libraries showcase student-curated collections in Watson Library exhibit
As part of ongoing efforts to broaden collections, provide unique learning experiences and incorporate student feedback, KU Libraries will unveil two new student-curated collections. The opening reception for “The Nature of Being Human: Ecology, Identity, and the Stories in Between” will take place Feb. 5 in Watson Library’s Haricombe Gallery.
Wed, 01/14/2026
Libraries’ Winter Welcome events to connect students with resources, community
KU Libraries will host a pair of engaging events during Winter Welcome, Jan. 20–25, designed to help students reconnect with campus and start the spring semester with the tools they need to succeed. The week’s activities invite students to explore library spaces, discover resources, and build community during the first days back on campus.
Wed, 01/14/2026
KU Libraries launches global speaker series on librarianship
The University of Kansas Libraries will launch "Global Conversations in Librarianship," a new speaker series highlighting international perspectives on libraries and information work, with Ukrainian library leader Tetyana Yaroshenko as the inaugural speaker Feb. 26.