Established by Charles Inglis, the founder of the university, the King's Library had accumulated a significant collection of books by 1802 covering classics, history, foreign languages, literature, natural sciences, and theology. The Library continued to add books throughout the 19th century, including several incunabula (books printed before 1500). It also acquired medieval manuscripts, natural history specimens, historical artifacts, and artworks.
The Library's award-winning building was erected in 1989 to commemorate the bicentennial of the university. Holdings of 70,000 volumes support the curriculum, with particular emphasis on materials relating to the Contemporary Studies, Early Modern Studies, History of Science and Technology, and Foundation Year programs and the School of Journalism.
The Library is also a museum with art, artefacts, and one of the oldest collections of ceramics in Canada. The Archives, which contains the university's inactive records of permanent value, is on the lower floor. It has honours theses, student publications, and extensive holdings of King's Students' Union records. The special ambiance in the Library's award-winning building creates an elegant, peace-filled study space.
King's students also have access to the Novanet consortium of libraries, including libraries at Dalhousie University.
The University of King's College is committed to the work of reconciliation, implementing changes based on the Calls to Action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in 2015, with emphasis on the recommendations that specifically impact post-secondary institutions. The Library in particular is committed to carrying and providing resources that build upon student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect, as outlined in recommendation 63. iii. of the document (p. 7, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action).
For more information on what learning and dialogue is happening within King's College and the services being provided to ensure a respectful environment for Indigenous students, staff and faculty, visit the University's page on Reconciliation Resources.
Visit Ta’n Weji-sqalia’tiek: Mi’kmaw Place Names Digital Atlas and Web Site for insight on the connection between language and the ancestral landscape.