Department of Library Special Collections

University Archives

The University Archives serves the university's historical, administrative, legal and records management needs by overseeing permanent records created by and about Western Kentucky University. The University Archives also functions as the collective memory of the institution, faculty, staff, students and alumni by preserving and making available to researchers such materials as administrative papers, newspapers, minutes, departmental files, university publications, photographs and memorabilia. To make these materials more widely accessible a new feature called Hilltopper Heritage is being developed.

Use of Archives

Western Kentucky Archives is a closed stack, non-circulating collection open to all WKU faculty, staff, students and interested researchers. Requests via mail, email and telephone are accepted, though personal visits to the research librarylocated on the second floor of the Kentucky Building are encouraged. Visitors are asked to register daily with the staff and abide by the reading room policies. Click here to submit a reference request via e-mail or write to:

University Archives
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd., #11092
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1092

Access to the collections can be gained in a number of ways:

• TOPCAT
• Online Finding Aids
• TopScholar
• Hilltopper Heritage Website

Southbound:
1.   From I-65 South take exit number 28, towards BOWLING GREEN (US-31W).
2.  Merge onto KY-446W.
3.  Take the US-31W SOUTH ramp towards BOWLING GREEN.
4.  Merge onto US-31W/US-68W/KY-80W.
5.  Follow US-68W/KY-80W (Adams Street) into BOWLING GREEN.
6.  Just past 14th Street on the left, make a left-hand U-turn at the traffic island onto Kentucky Street.
7.  Kentucky Building is located in the 1400 block of Kentucky Street. Visitor parking lots are on the left and right. The Kentucky Building is 5.5 miles from exit 28.

Northbound:
1.  From I-65 North take exit number 20 onto the WILLIAM NATCHER PARKWAY.
2.  Take exit number 4 and turn right onto US-31W.
3.  Follow US-31W into BOWLING GREEN.
4.  Turn left onto US-231 (University Boulevard).
5.  Follow University Boulevard to the Kentucky Building located in the 1400 block of Kentucky Street. Visitor parking lots are on the left and right. The Kentucky Building is 4 miles from exit 4.