Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About the Renovation Process:

How long can I reserve current library spaces?

We will stop accepting new reservations for and will soon begin closing down the South Study Area, conference rooms, the computer lab, and group study rooms by the end of the semester.

    • South Study Area
      • We are currently accepting reservations for the South Study Area through March 31, 2024, after that it will be unavailable for reservations but will remain an open study space.
      • It is our goal to keep the South Study Area open and functional for as long as we’re able – ideally this would be until the end of the semester. However, we have competing demands to meet renovation timelines and maintain continuity of spaces for as long as possible.
    • Conference Rooms (FL 210 and FL 217)
      • We are currently accepting reservations for the upper level classroom (FL 217) through March 31, 2024 and for the upper level conference rooms (FL 210) through April 18, 2024.
      • The caveat of keeping these spaces open is that there will be a major relocation project for the collections occurring just outside the doors so there may be more noise and activity than usual.
    • Computer Lab (FL 116)
      • We are currently accepting reservations for the Computer Lab (FL 116) for library instruction and lab use through April 9, 2024. After that time, it will be unavailable as technology needs to be removed.
    • Group Study Rooms (FL 012, FL 016, FL 142, FL 132)
      • We are currently accepting reservations for group study rooms through the end of the semester.

If you have any inquiries about a specific reservation for Spring 2024, please feel free to email libspaces@fhsu.edu with any questions or to confirm details. We can’t wait to have you back in our newly renovated space in 2026!

What will change in Forsyth Library during Spring 2024 semester?

Overall, Forsyth Library will begin to look different during the Spring 2024 semester:

      • In February 2024, 13 of our 18 staff offices moved out of Forsyth Library and relocated to the second and third floors of Custer Hall.
        • The library partners have also relocated:
          • The MakerSpace moved to Picken Hall 102
          • The Writing Center moved to Rarick Hall 157
          • The Honors College moved to Picken Hall 123
      • Beginning March 18, a vendor will be moving the collections as we prepare for renovation. Our phased renovation requires us to move our bound periodicals and government documents into offsite storage. Once accomplished, our general collection books will move to the lower level compact shelving until the bulk of the renovation is completed. The juvenile collection will move from the upper level to the main level for temporary storage. These tasks must be completed before the building temporarily closes on or around May 13th and for the duration of the summer.
      • After Spring Break,  please do not require students to use print books, bound periodicals, and printed government documents. Instead, encourage students to use the electronic resources available through our catalog or Interlibrary Loan. Although staying in Forsyth Library, even the general collection books will be unavailable at times while books are moving down two stories.
      • Near the end of Spring 2024, we’ll also have to move the furniture, technology, artwork, and other items from the meeting rooms and open study areas out of the building
      • By this point, the library will begin to look and feel quite empty.

We apologize in advance for the noise, dust, and inconvenience this site preparation stage will cause but just know it’s all being done so that we have a wonderful, newly renovated library that will serve our university and community for decades to come.

When will the library be closed for construction?

The library plans to close starting May 13, 2024 for the duration of the summer for heavy demolition and the initial construction of the north and south entrances. While we hope to reopen in a limited capacity in Fall 2024, we won’t know an approximate timeline until it gets closer.

During that time, use the library website to:

      • Access our electronic resources through the library catalog
      • Ask a librarian for research help
      • Request a book, book chapter or article through interlibrary loan to pickup at our temporary location in Custer Hall 304
      • Use the digitized archives online and special collections online

What will go in the café space on the main level?

Forsyth Library doesn’t have control over what food vendor goes into the café space, that contract is managed at the broader university level and is yet to be determined. The one thing we do know is that it will not be a Starbucks since the building is located in such close proximity to Memorial Union.
During the campus listening sessions, there was a strong demand for a simple, lower cost coffee offering in the café in the newly renovated Forsyth Library that wouldn’t compete with Starbucks and their specialty coffee options. An announcement will be made once a vendor has been secured.

Why aren’t you building a new building?

The physical location of Forsyth Library on campus is ideal and the current building has good bones and provides adequate space, it just needs to have the space redistributed for modern uses and major updates to the aging systems such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. By renovating the existing structure, we’re able to spend less on the overall project.

When will more detailed timelines of the project be announced?

The construction document phase is coming to a close at the end of fall 2023 and the project will go to bid in January 2024. Once the construction bid has been awarded, the construction company will be able to confirm and project the dates of the various construction phases. This blog will continue to be updated throughout the process as more details are solidified, please also check the renovation status page on the library website as any many of the library partners, spaces, collections, and library staff offices will begin moving to temporary locations to prepare the building for the construction that will begin Summer 2024.

Are you getting rid of all the books?

No. One of the most common things we heard from the campus input sessions was that students like to study in the library because they like to be surrounded by books. Prior to the renovation, the library weeded the collection as a part of regular collection maintenance to make sure that the books we have are relevant and in good condition to support the research activities of our university community.

During the construction process, the periodicals in compact shelving and the government documents will be transported to off-site storage. They are coming back once the renovation is done.

Will we still have a quiet floor after renovation?

The upper level of the renovated library will continue to serve as a quiet zone. Depending on how students use the main and lower levels of the renovated library, other sound zones may be established.

What will actually change? Are you just putting in new carpet and paint?

This project is a major remodel. While the exterior of the building will look similar to the existing structure, after the renovation, the interior of the building will barely be recognizable. Nearly every wall except the elevator walls will come down to create new space allocations and improve the flow and function of the space.

There will be an open, amphitheater staircase and an additional cutout from the main level to the lower level to bring natural light into the lower level and create a more open space. The north and south stairwells will have a major transformation, integrating them into the space.

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