In 1926 a new building was built specifically for the library and it was named “Forsyth” after Brevet Brigadier General George Alexander Forsyth. General Forsyth had been stationed at Fort Hays in the 1880s. When the library was dedicated on July 10, 1928, Forsyth Library contained 14,000 volumes. This collection sustained major damage when the flood of May 1951 flooded the first floor of the library with 16 inches of water. When the library moved to its present location the original building was renamed and still stands as McCartney Hall.
The present building was completed in 1967 at a cost of $1,192,321, with one-third of the funds supplied by the Federal Government. It encompassed 105,414 square feet with an unfinished basement, two floors, and a structural capacity for a future third floor. The basement level of the building was finished at a cost of $384,000 in 1974.
In 2017 Forsyth Library housed 506,746 volumes in the physical collection as well as 279,866 electronic books available online.
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Description of Journalism Collection
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays Kansas State College
This black and white four page document features a document detailing the scope and purpose of the Forsyth Library Journalism collection. Rosemary McDonough, Bibliographer, is listed at the bottom of the document.
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Description of Speech and Drama Collection
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays Kansas State College
This black and white four page document features a document detailing the purpose and scope of the Forsyth Library Speech and Drama collection. Rosemary McDonough, Bibliographer, is listed at the bottom of the document.
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Academic Facilities Program Equipment List
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This black and white twenty three page document features a list detailing the general requirements for the steel book stack equipment and shelving for Forsyth Library.
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Forsyth Library Basement Floor Plan
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color one page document features an early version of the Forsyth Library basement floor plan.
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Forsyth Library Bibliographic Instruction Flyer
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color one page document features a Forsyth Library flyer providing information on bibliographic instruction and distance services.
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Forsyth Library Ordering Resources Flyer
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color one page document features a Forsyth Library flyer that provides information on ordering resources at Forsyth Library.
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Interlibrary Loan
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color three page document provides information on Forsyth Library interlibrary loan policies and procedures.
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Library Departments, Staff, and Descriptions
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color three page document contains information on Forsyth Library departments and associated staff.
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Periodical Reading Area
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color three page document provides information on periodicals available at Forsyth Library.
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The Ethnic Studies Collection
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University
This color four page document features a short informational pamphlet describing the materials available in the Forsyth Library Ethnic Studies Collection.