Fun Facts

The State Library is a depository for federal and state government documents.

The brass railing in the foyer features a sunflower design.

The second level contains 383 glass panes and the glass is nearly 1” thick.

The library’s stacks are made of steel and support the glass floor.

Two historic book lifts continue to be used to transport books between the first and second levels of the library.

A bird’s head, a pineapple, and a face with an ornamental headdress can be found in the library’s stenciling.

The oldest book in the library is “Law Tracts” by Sir Francis Bacon, published in 1741

The first state librarian, Rev. David Dickinson M.D., served for four years and received an annual salary of $500.

Annie Diggs was the fifth state librarian from 1898 to 1902. She was known as a Populist orator, politician, and social reformer.
The Traveling Libraries Commission and the Kansas Library Association were established while Annie Diggs was the state librarian.

Annie Diggs helped design the State Library. Her desk is presently displayed in the library’s foyer. Diggs had this to say about the newly opened library in September 1900:

“The new rooms are not only spacious and commodious but delightfully attractive as well. The frescoing is exquisite in color and the woodwork fine of finish. There is no convenience known to the modern library which is unsupplied.” -from “The Kansas State Library” by Allen Gardiner

Ray C. Walling is the 18th and current state librarian, beginning his tenure in 2022. Tasked with supporting the state government's information needs and expanding information access to all Kansans, Walling holds to the motto of his alma mater,   ‘connecting people, information, and technology in more valuable ways,’  through thoughtful leadership.