About

The Special Collections Research Center Digital Services implements digital preservation and access initiatives that support student success and creative and scholarly research. These initiatives include digitization of rare and unique collections and publications, management of born-digital resources, and administration of several online databases and digital libraries. Digital Services also manages system infrastructure, generates metadata, and develops tools and interfaces for digital preservation and access.

Contact Information

Sarah Dorpinghaus, Director of Digital Services

Digital Lab
110 Margaret I. King Library
University of Kentucky Libraries
Lexington, KY 40506-0039

Special Collections Research Center Online Resources

Explore UK: Features a growing collection of digital objects created from the rare and unique holdings of the University of Kentucky Libraries and its campus partners.

John C. Wyatt Lexington Herald-Leader Photographs: over 10,000 digitized photographic images spanning the years 1939-1960s. The LHL photographs are an unparalleled source of photographic evidence of the many historical, cultural, and industrial changes that have shaped Lexington and its surrounding region. 

SPOKEdb: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History: Database of UK Libraries oral history holdings, including digitized oral histories, transcripts, and indexes.

Kentucky Digital Newspaper Program: Search digitized Kentucky newspapers dating from the late 1700s to the early 2000s.

Notable Kentucky African Americans Database: Offers biographical and historical information about African Americans in and from Kentucky, including places and events.

The Lomax Kentucky Recordings: Search and listen to documentary sound recordings of rural Kentucky music made by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax between 1933-1942. 

James Still Correspondence Database: Lists letters received by Still and, in some cases, copies of his outgoing correspondence. Entries include such information as the date and place from which a letter was sent, its sender (correspondent), and Still's relationship with that person (when known). 

University of Kentucky Libraries Microfilm Holdings Database: Provides access to the University of Kentucky's holdings of microfilm masters, including newspapers as well as other primary sources.

Bert T. Combs Appalachian Collection: Topical lists of collection guides and digitized materials from the Special Collections Research Center documenting the culture and history of Appalachia. [currently under construction]