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Special Collections and Archives

Special Collections and Archives

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We acquire, preserve, and provide access to primary sources and rare materials that support the teaching and research programs of Kent State University. The collections, totaling nearly 21,000 cubic feet, are comprised of sources in all formats including manuscripts, archival materials, and 135,000 books and periodicals. To learn more about our collections, please view our Spotlight on Special Collections exhibit.

News

NEW EXHIBITION OPEN

LGBTQ+ Voices in Special Collections and Archives

Marovitz Gallery, 1st Floor, University Libraries

During a time when libraries and schools are facing censorship and book banning, particularly of LGBTQ+ literature and authors, this exhibit seeks to highlight some of the many LGBTQ+ authors and their writings in our collection. The authors featured in this exhibit write on a full spectrum of topics, including love, mortality, loss, spirituality, social justice, politics, oppression, family, parenthood, and identity. In doing so, they grant us access to their authentic voices. While this exhibit contains only a small portion of the works by LGBTQ+ authors in our collection, it aims to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ voices in literature.

Welcome, Kristin Silvestro, University Archivist!

Kent State University Libraries Special Collections & Archives is thrilled to welcome Kristin Silvestro as the new University Archivist. Kristin joins our team with nearly 10 years of experience in the archives field. Regarding her new position, Kristin writes, “As the University Archivist, I look forward to working with the rest of the Special Collections & Archives team to improve access to and discovery of previously collected university records, while also working with the campus community to ensure the preservation of the diverse stories of the students, faculty and staff that are happening today.” We look forward to all the work Kristin will do towards collecting, preserving, and providing access to the history of Kent State University.

Read the full press release, or learn more about Kristin’s role and goals as the University Archivist in the Kent Wired article, “New university archivist brings experience, plans for greater engagement.”

 

 
Exhibitions

Exhibitions

Check out our latest exhibitions on campus and online.

Spotlight on Special Collections

Spotlight on Special Collections

Explore major collections held in the department through this online exhibit.

Explore Digital Collections

Explore Digital Collections

Historical Kent State images, maps, campus newspaper and yearbooks; thousands of May 4 archival photographs, recordings, documents, oral histories; and primary and secondary sources related to the true crime genre.