In this season of gratitude, there is so much to be thankful for, including the many people who have been involved and instrumental in the library renovation project thus far. A BIG thank you to …
- Senator Moran and Tisa Mason for securing the federal NIST grant as the base funding for this project. This was the first sign that the renovation that will make such a huge impact on FHSU and western Kansas was finally happening!
- FHSU’s Facilities Planning Office for spending countless hours preparing the initial program plan documents to put the project out to bid and working with the architects and construction management teams in a smooth manner according to project timelines.
- The Forsyth Library Renovation Committee for providing their ideas and insight early on in the process. Without such a great team we couldn’t have developed the program as effectively as we did.
- PGAV Architects who have plugged architectural expertise into every nook and cranny of the building plans. Every square foot will be utilized to its full potential to provide beautiful, functional spaces for our students and patrons.
- Representative Wasinger for helping us navigate design approval with state agencies so that we could honor our students’ number one request: more natural light!
- FHSU’s Grounds and Custodial teams who helped move every piece of furniture and shelving out of the building in preparation for construction.
- A. Arnold of Kansas City for expertly relocating each and every one of our books! Some had to move downstairs and some moved offsite for storage. We could not have launched the project without your help.
- FHSU’s Technology Services Team who helped advise with the specs and selection of new technology and helped repurpose, rehome, or recycle technology that was removed from the library.
- PWC Construction Crew for managing the construction site so well and making all of the plans come to life. Thanks for letting Dean Williams explore the site freely (and go on the roof!) so she’s aware of all the progress being made.
- All of the interested stakeholders who have attended library tours or presentations to learn about the renovation. Some have seen presentations given to alumni groups, at library conferences, and at department meetings. Others received a tour when the old library was still operational with only a few renderings and verbal descriptions of the future of each space to help fill their imaginations with what is to come. Others have been invited behind the scenes to the hard hat areas to see the construction progress. All have shown enthusiasm and genuine interest in the project and its lasting impact on the university and the community. Your excitement is contagious and we feel it!
- The many donors who have financially contributed to the project, whether they’ve committed to naming a space in the library or contributed to the library renovation fund through FHSU’s Annual Giving Day and other fundraisers. Every gift, no matter the size, will benefit FHSU students as we create this incredible space for the University!
- The FHSU Foundation for their advocacy and enthusiasm for fundraising for the project. Thank you for giving us so many opportunities to collaborate and share the story of this historical project with our community.
- Our students, faculty, staff, and patrons who are inconvenienced by the different phases of preparing for the renovation and the current limited use of the library during the renovation – we can’t wait to serve you at full capacity again soon!
- The Division of Student Affairs team who have offered extended hours in the Student Union and Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success to accommodate students’ late-night study needs.
- University Police and the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science for being such welcoming neighbors while many of us are temporarily housed in Custer Hall.
- Our amazing Forsyth Library staff and Honors College, Writing Center, Institute for New Media Studies, and MakerSpace partners who have been extremely flexible and adaptable at every stage of this project – from squeezing planning meetings into busy schedules to moving across campus in temporary offices and service locations, to ensuring continuity in providing library services for our patrons, even though that might mean having an office inside a noisy construction zone. Some of you have truly been asked to step up and do more or do differently – and you have exceeded that call. Thank you for responding to unanticipated and often unseen demands of this project.
This is such a HUGE project, and so many people have been involved in getting it where it is today. Even if you haven’t been directly involved, we can feel your support and enthusiasm and we appreciate you!
