News
Tue, 03/11/2025
KU Libraries expands LibArt program; now accepting student artwork submissions
Students from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to submit artwork to KU Libraries LibArt program for a chance to become part of a year-long juried exhibition inside the libraries’ public spaces and win cash awards, which have been recently expanded.
Thu, 02/27/2025
University of Kansas and Frontiers renew flat fee open access agreement for 2025
The University of Kansas and open science platform Frontiers have renewed their open-access publishing partnership for an additional year. Initially established in 2024, this agreement maintains its terms to provide KU researchers with seamless, cost-free access to publish in all Frontiers journals.
Wed, 02/26/2025
Presentation at KU Libraries to highlight impact of open education
Virginia Clinton-Lisell, associate professor in educational foundations and research at University of North Dakota and lead researcher of the Open Education Group, will visit KU’s Lawrence campus to deliver a public lecture about her research on open education at 10 a.m. March 14 in Watson Library 3 West.
Thu, 02/20/2025
Student feedback, picks meet in new collection to debut in Watson Library
A collection curated by students, “Page Turning Tropes: Your Favorite Narratives, Themes, Cliches, Archetypes,” will debut with a reception and curator talk in Watson Library’s third floor lobby on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m.
Tue, 02/18/2025
'Marvelous Medieval Marginalia' exhibit set for Spencer Library debut
Pens, markers and highlighters are among the items not allowed in Kenneth Spencer Research Library’s Reading Room due to their ability to damage materials, but a new exhibit set to debut in March welcomes an observation of the scribbles and doodles made years ago in medieval manuscripts.
Fri, 02/07/2025
KU Libraries looking for 2025 Sprints partners
Faculty and academic staff of the University of Kansas looking for a partner in solutions to research or pedagogical challenges are encouraged to submit applications for Sprints Week, a five-day intensive collaboration with KU Libraries.
Thu, 02/06/2025
Snyder Book Collecting Contest open for student submissions
KU Libraries’ Snyder Book Collecting Contest, celebrating 67 years of encouraging student book collections, is now accepting entries through March 25. The annual contest recognizes KU undergraduate and graduate students for their collections of books and complementary pieces – such as digital items, music, and film -- that share a particular subject, topic, or theme.
Tue, 01/21/2025
Cottonwood finds online home in KU Libraries partnership
Sixty years’ worth of issues full of original poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction in Cottonwood, a literary magazine, has recently been made available in digital format through partnership with KU Libraries.
Thu, 12/19/2024
Center for Certification & Competency-Based Education publishes new research journal
The Achievement & Assessment Institute’s Center for Certification & Competency-Based Education has launched the Competency-Based Education Research Journal, which serves to advance knowledge of competency-based education through empirical investigations, theory development articles and integrative conceptual reviews.
Mon, 11/18/2024
Watson Library Centennial time capsule to be displayed, archived
The contents of a Watson Library Centennial time capsule will be displayed at a reception 3-4 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Spencer Research Library prior to submission into University Archives.
Wed, 11/06/2024
LibArt winners crowned among program’s largest turnout
KU Libraries’ LibArt program, a year-round, juried exhibition of student art in library spaces, celebrated its 14th year with a reception recognizing student artists and awarding cash prizes. This year’s show, which runs August to May, features 146 pieces throughout five KU Libraries locations, the largest display in program history.
Fri, 10/25/2024
Reducing barriers nets Raj Bhala 2024 Shulenburger Award
Spurred on by a desire to increase affordability for students and to broaden access for international colleagues shut out by costly paywalls, Raj Bhala worked with a team at KU Libraries to openly publish his widely used textbook on international trade law. He is the recipients of the 2024 Shulenburger Award for Innovation & Advocacy in Scholarly Communication.
Mon, 10/21/2024
KU Libraries activities to recognize Open Access Week
KU Libraries will mark International Open Access Week (Oct. 21-27) with a trio of activities demonstrating the importance of open access resources and their availability at KU.
Thu, 10/10/2024
Community invited to celebrate Watson Centennial at Library on the Lawn
In its continued celebration of Watson Library’s centennial anniversary, KU Libraries welcomes the campus and greater communities to enjoy live music, food,and fun at Library on the Lawn from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 23 on the front lawn of Watson Library.
Wed, 10/09/2024
Centennial gift highlights support for Watson Library
With its celebratory dinner, “Rhapsody in Jayhawk Blue,” held September 19, KU Libraries set out to honor the centennial anniversary of Watson Library and show appreciation for its most stalwart supporters. But, in a surprise twist, donors expressed their own deep gratitude for the libraries by presenting Dean of Libraries Carol Smith with a $100,000 gift.
Fri, 09/27/2024
Data services librarian trains researchers in data management
Jamene Brooks-Kieffer, data services librarian, provides resources to help faculty understand the data they collect.
Thu, 09/05/2024
BiblioBios: Music and Dance Library operations manager combines musical skills and lifelong connection to community
It’s not surprising Gorton Music and Dance Library Operations Manager Chris Bohling feels at home on the Hill. As a kid, on snowy days he would trek up to where the west wing of Murphy Hall now sits, trailing his sled behind him. Before the addition of the library to that slope, Bohling repeatedly slid through the very spot that now occupies the library’s circulation desk – where he spends a good deal of time, making sure library processes flow smoother than a sled down a hill.
Wed, 09/04/2024
KU Libraries call for proposals for new exhibit program highlighting faculty research
KU Libraries are calling for proposals for the 2025/2026 David M. Bergeron and Geraldo Sousa Exhibit Program, which showcases the research of KU faculty using the extraordinary resources housed within Kenneth Spencer Research Library’s collections.
Tue, 09/03/2024
Re-creations of 1870s railway photos reveal profound change to Kansas, Colorado plains
A fascinating new book chronicling transformation on the plains of Kansas and western Colorado uses repeat photography — contemporary re-creations of 1870s photos — to reveal startling changes to the landscape.
Mon, 09/02/2024
A link to the global south
A productive year for African Studies and international activity for the Institute for Digital Research in Humanities (IDRH) in KU Libraries.
Tue, 08/27/2024
KU Libraries now accepting nominations for the Shulenburger Award for Innovation & Advocacy in Scholarly Communication
KU Libraries’ Shulenburger Office of Scholarly Communication & Copyright is now accepting nominations for the annual David Shulenburger Award for Innovation & Advocacy in Scholarly Communication through Sept. 20.
Tue, 08/13/2024
KU Libraries announce centennial celebration of Watson Library with fall activities, website
A Jayhawk Boulevard landmark and perpetual place of discovery and welcome, Watson Library will celebrate 100 years at the heart of the KU community with a slate of fall activities and programs.
Tue, 07/16/2024
Spencer Library visit yields insights, connection for 2024 Whayne Scholars
Since 2016, the Alyce Hunley Whayne Visiting Researchers Award has forged meaningful connections between selected scholars and the distinctive African American collections in Kenneth Spencer Research Library -- but in 2024 with two award recipients, an additional bond was built. Alyssa Cole and Brooke Thomas took part in overlapping visits to the library that sparked key moments of insight for their individual research projects as well as timely professional connections.
Tue, 07/02/2024
Nicodemus descendent, historian to speak at KU Libraries on July 10
A descendant of the original settlers of the town of Nicodemus, Angela Bates has worked for over 30 years to honor the community’s legacy, establishing regional and national partnerships including collaboration with KU Libraries and the Kansas Collection.
Tue, 06/25/2024
New edition of book updates changing world of international trade law in free, open-access format
Raj Bhala's sixth edition of "International Trade Law: A Comprehensive E-Textbook" updates many topics ranging from Brexit to the U.S.-China trade war. This is the first version to be made freely available in an open access format.
Fri, 06/21/2024
KU Libraries name 2024 Rubinstein/Mason Award recipients
University of Kansas Libraries have named Katherine Bryan and Connor Reazin recipients of the 2024 Rubinstein/Mason Award. The scholarship supports current and former KU students in graduate study in librarianship and archival studies in honor of the late Joseph Rubinstein and the late Alexandra Mason, commemorating their years of principled service as KU librarians.
Thu, 06/06/2024
KU Libraries announce 2024 Whayne Scholars; visiting researchers’ presentations set for June 26
Alyssa Cole, assistant professor of African American studies at the University of Florida, and Brooke Thomas, African American history postdoctoral scholar at Pennsylvania State University, are the recipients of the 2024 Alyce Hunley Whayne Visiting Researchers Travel Award from KU Libraries. They will visit KU from June 24 to 27 with a joint public presentation at 3 p.m. June 26 in the Johnson Room.
Tue, 06/04/2024
BiblioBios: Handled with care, Richey delivers mail and more
As KU Libraries’ Business Coordinator for Mail Services, Jim Richey is at the center of a constant flow of information and people. Since starting as a student employee in the 1980s, Richey has helped manage the daily operations of campus mail and the transportation of library materials with a meticulous approach and a kind, courteous manner.
Mon, 05/06/2024
KU Libraries selects 2024 Sprints Week participants
The University of Kansas Libraries have selected Patrick Ploschnitzki, Assistant Teaching Professor of German in the Department of Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies, and Anurag Garg, Assistant Professor of Analytics, Information and Operations Management, as 2024 Sprints Week participants.
Fri, 05/03/2024
KU Libraries honors student employees at Dean’s Award luncheon
Leaders at the University of Kansas Libraries hosted the annual Dean’s Award for Student Employee Excellence (DASEE) award luncheon on Thursday, May 2, recognizing the essential contributions of student workers and highlighting outstanding student employees and ambassadors. ...