Kansas Colleges & Universities
Top college and university libraries in Kansas
These college and university libraries stand out for their collections, special collections and archives. Public access varies, so each entry says how visitors can use the library.
University of Kansas LibrariesUniversity of Kansas
KU Libraries' Kenneth Spencer Research Library, established in 1968, houses the university's rare books, manuscripts, Kansas history collections and University Archives, and is open to the public. Among its holdings is the Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements, established in 1965 and one of the biggest collections of left- and right-wing political literature.
Hale LibraryKansas State University
Hale Library, the largest building on the K-State campus, was officially dedicated on October 5, 1997, joining new construction to the original library. As of 2018 it held 1.5 million items plus special collections and archives. The library suffered smoke and water damage in a 2018 fire, and the building was renovated afterward.
Ablah LibraryWichita State University
Ablah Library opened in 1962 as the main library of Wichita State University. The University Libraries serve as a regional federal government documents depository and as the State of Kansas only Patents and Trademarks Library, a collection open to the public. Special Collections hosts the Wichita Photo Archives.
Emporia State University Libraries + ArchivesEmporia State University
Emporia State University Libraries + Archives is the starting point for research on the Emporia campus. Its Special Collections and Archives, including Room 119 and the Exhibit Hall on the 1st floor, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
The most beautiful college library in Kansas
Hale Library Great RoomKansas State University
Hale Library's Great Room, in the original library building, is known for its murals by David Hicks Overmyer. The murals suffered water and smoke damage in the 2018 fire and were restored in the renovation that followed.
Last verified: November 2, 2026. Visitor rules, hours and borrowing policies change, so check the library's website before you go.
About colleges and universities in Kansas
The public colleges and universities in the State of Kansas are governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. This group of elected officials manages six universities, 19 community colleges, 11 technical schools and colleges and also a municipal university. State-funded University of Kansas, informally known as KU, has the largest student body of all the colleges and universities in the state. Its main campus is located in Lawrence, Kansas but there are also several other extension campuses that are located in the capital city of Topeka, Kansas.
One unique fact about Kansas higher education is the fact that the first chartered universities and colleges in the state were all privately-funded in 1858. There were 10 institutions of higher learning that were chartered at the time, but only three of those institutions continue to operate today. It has been determined that the longest-operating university and therefore the oldest university in Kansas is Baker University, which was founded in February 1858. Baker University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and it is located in Baldwin City, Kansas. It is a small residential school with four main colleges.
The first publicly-funded university was founded in 1863. Kansas State University, which is the second-largest university in the state, is located in Manhattan, Kansas. It is a research university that has one extension campus in Salina, Kansas and another campus in Olathe, Kansas. Kansas State was originally founded under the Morrill Act as an agricultural college, but it has grown to include many other notable academic programs such as architecture, aviation and veterinary medicine. In addition to providing quality academic programs to students, Kansas State is also considered a premier research institution. Much of its research focuses on its long-term interest in agriculture and farming, but professors from Kansas State produce research in a wide variety of areas.
Notable alumni who graduated from Kansas colleges and universities include Nobel Prize Winner Frank Sherwood Rowland, who went to the University of Kansas, William H. Avery, a former Governor of Kansas also is an alumni from the University of Kansas. The President and CEO of the Hershey, Co., John Bilbrey, was a graduate of Kansas State University, as was United States Archivist John Carlin. Another Kansas State Alumni of note is Herbert Dimond, who invented the snooze alarm allowing people across the globe to wake up slowly as they wished.