Center for the Study of Science Fiction
Book and Manuscript Research Collection

The University of Kansas Spencer Library houses the Center for the Study of Science Fiction's special collection of books, magazines, manuscripts, fan publications, and other materials available for SF scholars. Our collection is the the North American repository for World SF, the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA), the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA), and the Science Fiction Oral History Association.

Other highlights include large manuscript collections of the work, including the new Theodore Sturgeon acquisition and many others:

• Brian Aldiss, Helliconia Manuscripts Collection (writer)
• Harry Altshuler (journalist, literary agent, writer)
• Eric Temple Bell (mathematician, writer)
• Lloyd Biggle (writer)
• Algis Budrys (writer)
• Thomas A. Easton (writer, critic, scholar)
• James Gunn (writer, critic, scholar)
• Russell Randolph Hays (inventor, writer)
• Joan Hunter Holly (writer, Science Fiction Writers of America officer)
• Lee Killough (writer)
• P. Schuyler (Peter Schuyler) Miller (writer, critic)
• Robert Mills-Richard Curtis Agency (organization)
• Science Fiction Oral History Association (organization)
• Science Fiction Research Association (organization)
• T. L. Sherred (writer)
• Cordwainer Smith (writer)
• Theodore Sturgeon** (writer)
• A. E. van Vogt (writer)
• Donald A. Wollheim (publisher, editor, writer)

Check with Spencer Library to see if they have catalogued the work you wish to study (note that some of their collections are still uncatalogued).

Did you know that the Center now has a physical space? Our office contains a large (and growing) collection of fiction, nonfiction, critical collections, magazines, photos, audio, video, and much more. Check it out! We are currently cataloguing our books on LibraryThing.

For more information about SF research, check out the KU Libraries Guide to SF, Fantasy, and Horror Literature reference page.

We are looking for a few volunteers with library or cataloging experience to help catalog decades of unprocessed SF materials. If you are interested in this, please contact us for more information!

Chris McKitterick ( cmckit@ku.edu )

Also, if you are interested in donating manuscripts or other materials to the special SF research collection, drop us an email or write to:

Center for the Study of Science Fiction
Department of English
Wescoe Hall
1445 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 3116
Lawrence KS 66045-7590