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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Memorandum regarding shelving for Forsyth Library
Marc T. Campbell
A memorandum written by Marc T. Campbell, director of Forsyth Library, to W.E. Keating regarding new shelving for Forsyth Library.
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Request for Quotation: Library shelving
Purchasing Division, State of Kansas Department of Administration
A request for quotation for new shelving for Forsyth Library.
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Department Requisition: Remington Rand Office Systems
Business Office, Fort Hays Kansas State College
A department requisition from Remington Rand Office Systems of Kansas City, Missouri for library equipment.
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Letter from Paul Moore to Norman Moody regarding problems with the climate control system at the new Forsyth Library building
Paul Moore
A letter from Paul Moore, engineer with Woods and Starr Architects, to Norman Moody, Mechanical Engineer at the Kansas State Architect's Office, regarding problems with the climate control system at the new Forsyth Library building.
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Memorandum regarding noise in the library
Marc T. Campbell
A memorandum written by Marc T. Campbell, director of Forsyth Library, to college leadership regarding noise in the library.
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Shipping List: Hoover Brothers
Monroe Industries, Inc.
A shipping list for library equipment from Hoover Brothers, Inc. send by Monroe Industries, Inc. of Wichita, Kansas.
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American Mat Corporation Invoice
American Mat Corporation
An invoice from the American Mat Corporation in Wapakoneta, Ohio for library equipment.
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Department Requisition: Fort Hays Kansas State College Buildings
Business Office, Fort Hays Kansas State College
A department requisition for labor and materials related to the construction and installation of newspaper racks at Forsyth Library.
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Department Requisition: Grinnan Fixture Company
Business Office, Fort Hays Kansas State College
A department requisition for library equipment from Grinnan Fixture Company of Minerva, Ohio.
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Purchase Voucher: Fort Hays Kansas State College Buildings
Business Office, Fort Hays Kansas State College
A purchase voucher for construction and installation of newspaper racks at Forsyth Library.