About the Department
The Department of Library Special Collections (DLSC) is dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of Kentucky's cultural heritage. It also strives to conserve other rare materials which may enrich researchers. Although each area of the Department differs in types of materials, hours, and accessibility of collections, the mission of serving the University and the general community remains constant. The complementary resources and services of all areas provide researchers, scholars, and visitors with broad-based overview of Kentucky's history, culture, and people.
Timothy Mullin, Head
Department of Library Special Collections
| Collecting Kentucky, the Kentucky Library and Museum serves as a time capsule for Kentucky history. Learn more about the Civil War, World War II, Kentucky authors, Mammoth Cave, early university life, Kentucky ancestors, folklore, South Union Shakers and politics. |
History of The Kentucky Library & Museum
The Kentucky Building was established by Western Kentucky University's first President, Henry Hardin Cherry "to preserve Kentucky's history and heritage." Over 4,000 Kentuckians provided financial support to begin construction of the Kentucky Building in 1931. After a temporary delay caused by the difficulties of the Depression, the facility opened in 1939 as a permanent home for the growing collection of Kentucky materials and artifacts. In 1976, a three-year, two-million-dollar renovation and expansion project began to provide more room for the thousands of books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, museum artifacts, genealogical material, audiotapes and videotapes housed in the KYLM; the building formally reopened on July 4, 1980.
The Kentucky Building houses the Kentucky Museum, Kentucky Library, Manuscripts and Folklife Archives and University Archives. These areas contain thousands of artifacts, rare books, maps, photographs, genealogical materials, unpublished letters, journals, and family and political papers. This unique partnership of museum and library resources provides researchers, scholars, and visitors with a broad-based overview of Kentucky's history, culture, and people.
Go to top
Who's Who in the Kentucky Library & Museum
Go to top
|
