A love letter to Willy T.
Video produced by UK Public Relations and Strategic Communication and Marketing and Brand Strategy. To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click on the “thought bubble” in the same area.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2025) — For many years, the William T. Young Library, or “Willy T.,” has been at the heart of the University of Kentucky’s campus. Since 1998, the library has housed academic and social encounters for many Wildcats.
When UKNow asked the campus community what its favorite location was, many students, alumni, faculty and staff members highlighted Willy T. at the top of their list. For some of them, it’s been a place of transformation — from an unsure freshman to a confident professional. For others, it has been the space where they have developed their most treasured friendships.
For others, Willy T. is beloved because of the memories tied to it. This is the story of Trevor Sebek, a sophomore majoring in history. Sebek and his girlfriend, Regan Bowen, a sophomore electrical engineering major, are the proof that the UK library is a place where connections are made — whether it is forming meaningful college friendships or even finding love.
“Willy T. is the first place I brought my girlfriend for a date,” Sebek said.
“It was kind of my destination spot — the reason why I came to Kentucky,” Bowen said. “And when I heard Trevor hadn’t gone yet, I said, ‘We have to go to Willy T.’ I wanted to show it to Trevor.”
We met with the couple to find out more about how Willy T. is woven into their story and why they love to spend time at the library. You can watch their full conversation above.
The main library on UK's campus is not just a place for academic success — it is also a meaningful part of the Big Blue Nation experience. For Madelene Dietrich, an undergraduate student majoring in landscape architecture in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Willy T. is “the most special place, as it was the part of campus that really drew me in during my tour,” helping her feel confident that this was home for the next four years.
“I was able to study, grow and learn with some of my very best friends in Willy T.,” said Raven Hudson, a 2019 UK alum. “Although we were supposed to be quiet, some of our most fun late nights were had at this library.”
Equally beloved in Willy T. is the Starbucks.
“It offers a space for meaningful connections,” said Hayley Hoffman, a 2022 UK alum and a lecturer in the College of Communication and Information. “Some of my favorite conversations about my students’ coursework and future plans have taken place in this space.”
Willy T.’s five-story setup accommodates everyone, offering spaces for both collaborative group work and individual study. As Jen Zimmerman, a 2023 alum of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment said, “Willy T. provided every space I needed to study and succeed. There was always a place no matter how I felt that day.”
Apart from offering access to a collection of more than a million books, journals, databases, microforms and more, Willy T. offers spaces that have contributed to the education of thousands of UK students. That includes the Student Media Depot, offering spaces for audio and visual recording for all students; The Study, which offers math, science and English student tutoring; and Presentation U, a space that offers free peer tutoring for writing and speaking assignments.
“There are so many resources and multiple floors for different environments of studying,” said Isabella Born, an undergraduate student majoring in marketing and integrated strategic communication. “I love going there and getting work done and using the resources they offer. Willy T. is one of the many ways UK sets students up for success.”
On a day dedicated to love, it is fitting to celebrate a place that has meant so much to so many. More than just a library, Willy T. is a space where Wildcats find inspiration, support and a sense of belonging — proving that some of the best college experiences happen in the most unexpected places.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.