Finding Resources on the History of KSU

You can find information about the history of KSU's schools and departments in a few ways:

You can search for books about Kennesaw State University in the library catalog. Kennesaw State University: The First Fifty Years, 1963-2013 by Thomas Scott covers the history of the entire university from 1963 to 2013. In addition, you may find other books with historical information about KSU in the catalog.

Another option is to make an appointment with the KSU Archives.

KSU and SPSU Yearbooks

KSU yearbooks are available in the Sturgis Library reference collection, call number LB2310.M65. The Archives has back issues of all these publications. 

The first yearbook was published in 1967 and published annually (with the exception of 1991) until 1992 under the name Montage. In 1993 the students changed the title to Talisman. The yearbook ceased publication after 1995, and was replaced by the student feature magazine, Talon. 

Some SPSU yearbooks are available in Johnson general collection with call number T171.S66 T435X. The volumes available are:

1950, 1952-1970, 1974-1976, 1980-87, 1990-1994, 1996    

The complete set of the SPSU yearbooks (1949-1997) is available at the KSU Archives.

The SPSU yearbooks were published under the name of The Technician's Log (some yearbooks with the name of Log on spine). SPSU ceased the yearbook publication in 1997.

Oral History Project

The KSU Oral History Project was initiated in 1973 by Dr. Thomas Scott, professor Emeritus of History at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Scott began the project by conducting interviews focusing on Cobb County. Over the years, the project has grown immensely and now includes nine series:

Series 1: Cobb County Oral History Series, 1973 –
Series 2: Kennesaw College Oral History Series, 1978 – 1985
Series 3: Kennesaw State University Oral History Series, 1986 –
Series 4: Cherokee County Oral History Series, 1992
Series 5: Georgia Government Oral History Series, 1998
Series 6: North Georgia Oral History Series, 1998 – 2000
Series 7: Cobb NAACP/Civil Rights Series, 2009 – 2010
Series 8: Marietta Housing Authority Series, 2011
Series 9: Southern Polytechnic State University Series, 2014-

Interviews may be available in a variety of formats, including sounds and video recordings as well as paper transcripts.

Methods for Research

There are three main ways to access KSU’s oral history interviews:

Method 1: ArchivesSpace Database

What is ArchivesSpace?

ArchivesSpace is a database that provides access to finding aids for collections in the KSU Archives.

When do I use ArchivesSpace to access oral history interviews?

Patrons can use ArchivesSpace when they would like to browse the oral history project holistically, or when they would like to search the collection more specifically, perhaps using a keyword search. The ArchiveSpace database is especially useful for patrons who have a topic, subject, geographic area, or interviewee in mind but would like more information about to take advantage of the oral history collection as a whole.

How do I search for oral history interviews in ArchivesSpace?

1. Go to archivesspace.kennesaw.edu
2. Type “oral history” into the search box, select "Limit to collections” from the drop-down menu, and click Search. Select Kennesaw State University Oral History Project or another oral history collection from the search results.
3. To search within a collection, use the search box to the right of the collection description. The menu below the search box will allow you to browse different series within a collection.
4. For contextual information about the collection, consult the tabs at the bottom of the page.
5. If an oral history interview is digitally accessible, a red button will appear on the interview’s individual page. Click the red button to be directed to the digital content in SOAR.
6. To access interviews that have not been digitized, fill out a Service Request Form on the KSU Archives website to consult an archivist.

NOTE - Patrons who identify and would like to digitally access oral history interviews that have not yet been digitized should allow two weeks for the material to become available. If patrons must have access to the digitized material earlier, payment may be required. Please be aware that the auditory quality of interviews may vary.

Method 3: KSU Archives Reading Room

Where is the KSU Archives reading room?

The KSU Archives reading room is located on the second floor of the Sturgis Library, inside the Archives, Rare Books, and Records Management space (rooms 209-227).

When do I use the reading room to access oral history interviews?

The reading room contains bound transcripts of most oral history interviews. These transcripts are in alphabetical order according to the interviewee’s last name. Patrons should use the reading room if they know the name of the interviewee they are interested in or if they want to browse and read hard copies of interview transcripts.

How do I search for oral history interviews in the Archives reading room?

Interview transcripts are arranged according to the last name of the interviewee.

NOTE - Not all oral history interviews have transcripts. Some interviews dealing with interesting subjects such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the history of aircraft manufacturing lack transcripts. Patrons should consult an archivist regarding access to these interviews.

KSU Archives Contact Information

Kennesaw State University Archives
Sturgis Library Building, second floor
385 Cobb Avenue, Kennesaw, GA 30144
470-578-6289
archives@kennesaw.edu