Kenney, Louis A., 1917-

Biographical Note

Born February 28, 1917 in Dorchester, NE, Louis A. Kenney received his BA from Nebraska State College, Kearney in 1939. He completed a BS and a MS in Library Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana. He spent a year studying abroad in Switzerland from 1949-1950 and was awarded his PhD in History from the University of Maryland in 1960. His thesis was titled "The Censorship Edicts of Emperor Charles V in the Low Countries, 1515-1550."

Kenney served as San Diego State's University Librarian from 1961 to 1980. During his tenure, Kenney played an instrumental role in planning for a new library building; the Malcolm A. Love Library which opened in 1971. As a result, the library's collection tripled in size and Kenney was able to play a key role in establishing the Special Collections department. He also helped form the Friends of the Malcolm A. Love Library in 1964 and served on its Board.

Kenney was an avid collector of rare books. In 1967, he purchased the Zinner Collection for Special Collections. Kenney retired from San Diego State in 1980 but remained active with the Friends of the Library and various other organizations. He was named Emeritus Librarian upon his retirement. He died in December of 1993.

From the guide to the Louis A. Kenney Papers, 1950-1992, (Special Collections & University Archives: Finding Aid Database)