Su Kim Chung

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Head of Special Collections Public Services, University Libraries
Expertise: Las Vegas and Southern Nevada History, Las Vegas Entertainment, Preservation and Archiving, Showgirls

Biography

Su Kim Chung has been immersed in the history of Las Vegas since she began work in the UNLV Libraries' Special Collections Division in 1999. 

As head of public services, she is in charge of reference, outreach, and instruction for archival collections and photographs about Las Vegas and southern Nevada history. Chung also serves as curator of the UNLV Libraries' entertainment collections, where she works on documenting the history of the showgirls and the Las Vegas production show. As part of this work, she has conducted oral history interviews of former dancers and showgirls and moderated community panel presentations on the history of the Las Vegas showgirl and production shows.

Chung is the author of the popular photo book Las Vegas Then and Now, now in its third edition, and also writes a monthly photo history column for dtlv.com

Education

  • Ph.D., Information Studies, UCLA
  • MLIS, Archives and Preservation, UCLA
  • M.A., History, California State University, Fresno
  • B.A., History, California State University, Fresno

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Su Kim Chung In The News

Nevada Week In Person with Su Kim Chung
P.B.S.
Her job is to collect and document the history of Las Vegas at the UNLV Library, Special Collections and Archives division. Su Kim Chung on the history of Las Vegas and how she is working to preserve it. 
Do You Know These Vegas History-Makers?
City Cast Las Vegas
March is Women’s History Month — and Las Vegas has no shortage of trailblazing women who have helped make our city what it is today. Essentially: If Las Vegas were to have its own Mt. Rushmore of notable ladies, who’d be on it?
The Showgirl: A Las Vegas Story
Nevada Magazine
The Las Vegas showgirl was beautiful, majestic, and larger than life. In full feathers and heels, a showgirl could measure 10 feet tall. She exuded poise and panache, and her revealing costume was bedecked in glimmering Parisian crystals and expensive fur. She was a city icon who helped Las Vegas become the Entertainment Capital of the World.The showgirl is a distant memory for most, but there is hope that she will one day return to the stage.
UNLV ‘We Need To Talk’ series’ focus shines light on Las Vegas’ eastside
Las Vegas Sun
Before Nathalie Martinez graduated from UNLV in 2021, she worked as a student oral historian for the Latinx Voices Project, collecting oral stories in English and Spanish about the eastside of Las Vegas.
All Su Kim Chung In The News

Articles Featuring Su Kim Chung

Happy 150th Nevada!
Arizona Club black and white
Business and Community | October 28, 2014

We're celebrating the state's sesquicentennial with some fun facts and insightful observations from UNLV professors.

All Articles Featuring Su Kim Chung