Where can I find 1940 census records?

Beginning April 2, you can find individual 1940 U.S. Census records free online. You could learn your ancestors' street addresses, occupations, places of birth, home values, their parent's birthplaces, and more. Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for the link, or the National Archives site. --Roxanna Jones

What are SPEC Kits and where do I find them?

SPEC Kits are periodically published reports from the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) which "gather information from ARL member institutions on current research library practices and policies. SPEC Kits combine the survey results and documentation from ARL member institutions to guide libraries as they address the ever-changing challenges facing libraries. These guides help libraries learn about current practice in research libraries, implement new practices and technologies, manage change, and improve performance" (http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/spec/index.shtml).

A full list of SPEC Kits dating back to SPEC Kit 1 (published in October 1973) is available from ARL.

UK Libraries has a subscription through the ARL Digital Publications website, which includes the Kits published during and after 2006. Earlier volumes are available via the HathiTrust Digital Library and are open access. At the HathiTrust site, click on "Collections" and type "SPEC" in the search box.

For UK Instructors - Course Reserve Reminders

From Carrie Poll, UK Libraries new Head of Reserves -->

Hello Instructors!

As you may have heard, Miranda Hines has accepted a position as the Professional and Organizational Development Manager at BCTC and is no longer with UK as the Head of Reserves. Effective immediately, I am the new Reserves Supervisor and will be handling course reserves for Young Library. I may already be acquainted with a few of you, as I was previously positioned in the Fines Office at WTYL. I look forward to working with each of you, as well as providing you with the most up to date information on copyright law and fair use practice.

At this time I would like to take the opportunity to remind you of a few important reserve deadlines.

1.      July 18 (Fall): If you would like to place new material on reserve for the fall semester, please submit your requests by this date to ensure that it is available by the first day of class for the fall semester.

2.      November 12 (Spring Renewals): The deadline for renewing fall 2012 course reserves for the winter 2012 and/or spring 2013 semester(s) is Friday, November 12^th. 

3.      November 19 (Spring and/or Winter ): The deadline for requesting new course reserves for the winter 2012 and/or spring 2012 semester(s) is Friday, November 19^th.

Please note that new requests may be submitted after the deadlines above.  However, it may take 2-3 weeks to process late requests depending on the workflow at the time your request is submitted. For information regarding the types of items that may be placed on reserve and how to submit those items, please see the “Introduction” on our website: http://libraries.uky.edu/YLReserves. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Carrie D. Poll

Head of Reserves

William T. Young Library

500 S. Limestone

Lexington, KY 40506

859.257.0500.2070