WMU Zhang Legacy Collections Center

10/20/2026

Today our collaboration with the Richmond Center for Visual Arts and Kalamazoo Book Arts Center opened, showcasing some stars from our artist's book collections. Exhibitions like this take a lot of planning, organization and construction. Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the construction of vitrines and shelving for the materials by the staff at the Richmond Center. Photo credit: Morgan Lutz

10/19/2026

We will have adjusted hours during fall break, starting Wednesday, Oct. 21. All library locations will be closed on Friday, Oct. 23. 🍂

Waldo Library Fall Break Hours
Wednesday, Oct. 21: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23: Closed
Saturday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25: Noon to Midnight

Zhang Legacy Collections Center Fall Break Hours
Wednesday, Oct. 21: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23: Closed
Saturday, Oct. 24: Closed
Sunday, Oct. 25: Closed

10/17/2026

Let's go, Broncos! Western Michigan Football faces off against the Central Michigan today in Mount Pleasant. These days, you can get team stats and player information online, but back in the day, they used football programs for attendees to get the scoop.

10/12/2026

Minimalist tour of newly-installed exhibit case preparing for Julie Chen's guest lecture on November 5 at 5 pm at the WMU Richmond Center for Visual Arts in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center. Each location will have an exhibit up and available by October 21.

10/05/2026

There is something special about working with something that has a direct connection to what you are learning. Students from History 3160 explored civil war diaries from the Regional History Collections today. The diaries have been digitized, so the class will also work with online versions to puzzle out the handwriting, but this is an experience they will not forget.

09/30/2026

It's starting to look like fall. And, as usual, we are well-served by the landscaping crew at WMU.

09/18/2026

Thanks Lynn, for all you do for our community!

We want to give a special shoutout to start the school year!

Have you enjoyed learning about KPS's history over the past year in our "Throwback Thursday" posts?

It's thanks to Lynn Houghton with the WMU Zhang Legacy Collections Center. She researched and shared weekly photos and information. We learned so much, ranging from a KPS school named after Peter Pan, to a look at the buildings we still know today in decades past.

Thank you Lynn, for your dedication and enthusiasm for sharing this history!

09/18/2026

Our students think through interesting problems, like how to protect odd and fragile items in our collection. This artist’s book will be on display at the Richmond Center starting Oct. 20.

09/16/2026

Our local cultural historical institutions are so strong in Kalamazoo! Congratulations Ladies’ Library Association!

07/21/2026

Nothing makes us prouder than a 5-star shout out for our team. Thank you for trusting us with your questions, and thank you, Lynn, for being such a valuable resource to our community! 🙌

Review:
"I wrote the regional history curator, Lynn Houghton, at the Zhang Legacy Collections Center with a request about researching the history of my neighborhood and house in Kalamazoo. Wow, I was blown away by her in-depth response and insights regarding the neighborhood and the families that lived in our house and others nearby. Many thanks Lynn for your assistance. The Zhang Legacy Collections Center is an outstanding resource for Kalamazoo and Michigan."