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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Hand Drawn Floor Plan - Card Catalog & Index Area
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays Kansas State College
This black and white one page document features a hand drawn floor plan for the card catalog and index area of Forsyth Library.
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Hand Drawn Floor Plan - First Floor Work Room & Circulation Desk
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays Kansas State College
This black and white one page document features a hand drawn floor plan of the first floor work room and the circulation desk at Forsyth Library.
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Space Requirements for Seating and Books
Forsyth Library, Fort Hays Kansas State College
This black and white two page document details the space requirements for seating and books in the new building for Forsyth Library.
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The Alumni News
Fort Hays Kansas State College
This black and white one page document features an edition of The Alumni News containing the article "New Library on the Way" about the new Forsyth Library building.
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FHS Receives OK On Plans for New Library
Hays Daily News
This black and white three page document features a clipping from the Hays Daily News regarding the new building for Forsyth Library.
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Letter from W.A. Lambertson of Perry Turnstiles to Marc T. Campbell
W.A. Lambertson
This black and white two page document features a letter from W.A. Lambertson to Marc T. Campbell regarding suggestions for traffic control devices at the entrance of Forsyth Library. An illustration is on the second page.
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Letter from Whitley Austin to Chairman Danenbarger Regarding the Library Layout
Whitley Austin
This color one page document features a letter from Whitley Austin to Chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, William F. Danenbarger, regarding the building layout of a new building for Forsyth Library.
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Letter from Marc T. Campbell to Ralph Ellsworth Regarding Dr. Ellsworth's Recommendations
Marc T. Campbell
This color one page document features a letter from Marc T. Campbell, director of Forsyth Library, to Dr. Ralph Ellsworth, Director of Libraries at the University of Colorado Boulder, regarding a request for Dr. Ellsworth's recommendations on a new library building for Forsyth Library.
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Letter from Ralph Ellsworth to Marc T. Campbell Regarding Dr. Ellsworth's Recommendations
Ralph E. Ellsworth
This black and white one page document features a letter from Dr. Ralph E. Ellsworth, Director of Libraries at the University of Colorado, Boulder, to Marc T. Campbell, Director of Forsyth Library, indicating that Dr. Ellsworth was not retained as a consultant and therefore had no recommendations regarding a new building for Forsyth Library. Handwriting is on the document.
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Letter from Richard R. Starr to James C. Canole Regarding Whitley Austin's Letter of March 11, 1964
Richard R. Starr
This black and white two page document features a letter from Richard R. Starr of Woods and Starr Architects, to James C. Canole, Kansas State Architect, regarding Whitley Austin's letter of March 11, 1964.