University Press of Kansas
The University Press of Kansas opened its doors in 1946 within the state of Kansas. It began as a single entity under the University of Kansas. By 1976, the press had evolved into a consortium representing six state universities. These institutions include Emporia State University and Fort Hays State University. The group also encompasses Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, and Wichita State University. This structure allows representation from each participating university to guide operations today. The press currently resides on the west portion of the KU campus. It has maintained membership in the Association of University Presses since its founding year.
Fred Woodward became director of the press in 1981 with a specific vision for growth. He noticed that aside from a successful series on US presidents, few works about political science existed in their catalog. Woodward decided to focus on building a list exploring the politics of the United States. This shift established specialty areas including American politics and military history. The press now publishes works on environmental policy and Indigenous studies alongside traditional topics. They cover American history, film studies, law, and legal history. Regional focus remains strong with dedicated sections on Kansas and the Midwest. Cultural and intellectual histories form another core pillar of their output.
Kevin Smith held the position of dean of the University of Kansas Libraries in 2021. That same year leadership of the press was incorporated into his responsibilities. Following Smith's departure from KU Libraries, Mike Haddock took over as interim director in 2022. Haddock served as associate dean for research, education and engagement at K-State Libraries before this appointment. These administrative shifts reflect changing oversight models within university systems. Current operations fall under library administration rather than independent press governance. The transition marked a significant change from earlier decades when directors operated with more autonomy.
The Mellon Foundation provided funding for the Kansas Open Books initiative project. The National Endowment for the Humanities also contributed financial support to this effort. The goal involves scanning out-of-print books published by the University Press of Kansas. These digitized titles are offered for free download to the public. This program ensures that older works remain accessible despite being out of print. It represents a major commitment to open access scholarship in the digital age. The project targets specific backlist items to maximize reach and utility for researchers.
Modern War Studies stands as one of the most prominent series in their catalog. Landmark Law Cases and American Society covers legal history through key court decisions. The American Presidency series explores the office of the US president. Congress Leaders documents the lives and work of congressional figures. CultureAmerica examines cultural topics across the nation. Environment and Society addresses environmental policy issues. Kansas Nature Guides focus on regional natural history. Modern First Ladies highlights the roles of presidential spouses. Constitutional Thinking analyzes legal frameworks and judicial philosophy. US Army War College Guides to Civil War Battles provide historical military analysis.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did the University Press of Kansas open its doors?
The University Press of Kansas opened its doors in 1946 within the state of Kansas. It began as a single entity under the University of Kansas before evolving into a consortium by 1976.
Which universities are part of the University Press of Kansas consortium?
The University Press of Kansas represents six state universities including Emporia State University and Fort Hays State University. The group also encompasses Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, and Wichita State University to guide operations today.
Who became director of the University Press of Kansas in 1981?
Fred Woodward became director of the press in 1981 with a specific vision for growth. He decided to focus on building a list exploring the politics of the United States which established specialty areas including American politics and military history.
What happened to leadership of the University Press of Kansas in 2022?
Mike Haddock took over as interim director in 2022 following Kevin Smith's departure from KU Libraries in 2021. Current operations fall under library administration rather than independent press governance after these administrative shifts.
How does the University Press of Kansas support open access scholarship?
The Mellon Foundation provided funding for the Kansas Open Books initiative project to scan out-of-print books published by the University Press of Kansas. These digitized titles are offered for free download to the public to ensure older works remain accessible despite being out of print.