Now Open to Serve SF Researchers
Resources include a diverse library of SF scholarly works, novels, magazines, photographs, recordings, and much more.
The Center was founded
in 1982 as a focus for the science-fiction programs that James Gunn created at the
University of Kansas beginning in 1970. For most of that time, we have served the SF
community as a virtual resource center, except for the large
SF Special
Collection at the Spencer Library. This was the Library's fastest-growing
special collection, mostly through gifts. However, when the libraries recently
changed their acquisition policies, we found ourselves having to reject
donations of materials that the Library could no longer accept. Additionally,
much of the Library's SF collection has gone uncatalogued due to space and labor
limitations.
All this changed with the recent Wescoe Hall move, when the Center finally found a
physical location in 3081 Wescoe Hall (the former English Department FSE office). Starting with the
Summer
2007 semester, scholars researching SF have access to materials and work
space, including a desk and computer; our
AboutSF
student employee also has a work space; our Campbell and Sturgeon Awards can be
on display; and donations unsuitable for the Library finally have a home.
Already we have filled six bookshelves, part of a file cabinet, and various
surfaces with materials, and visiting scholars from around the world have
stopped by to take advantage of our resources. Come visit us and take advantage of our research resources!
If you would like to donate materials for SF scholars and writers to use in this new space, let us know. We collect and make available media materials, art, photographs, audio materials, and of course books and magazines. So if you have something taking up space in your attic that an SF researcher might find useful, send it to us!
Here is our physical address if you wish to visit:
Center for the Study of Science Fiction
3081 Wescoe Hall
1445 Jayhawk Blvd.
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
Note that our
mailing address is slightly different, as mail goes to the English Department
office:
Center for the Study of Science Fiction
Department of English
Wescoe Hall
1445 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 3116
Lawrence, KS 66045-7590
Normal open hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 11am – 5pm
Wednesdays: 2pm – 5pm
Other days and times by appointment.
If door is closed, you may enter through James Gunn’s office, next door to the left (3081A).
On Thursday, Nov. 29, the Center for the Study of Science Fiction hosted an Open House, replete
with snacks, beverages, and of course research resources. Our little
house-warming celebrated science fiction in grand style; thanks to everyone who stopped
by to check out what the Center has to offer!
As we complete the finishing organizational touches over the next two
weeks, we'll continue to update this page.