Hale Library
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Hale Library is an award-winning, 400,000-square-foot library featuring a 24-hour study area and numerous research resources.
Building offices
- Antivirus Software, 214 Hale Library, helpdesk@k-state.edu, 532-7722
- Education Abroad, 353 Hale Library, overseas@ksu.edu, 532-5990
- IT Service Desk, Hale Library, 532-7722
- Libraries, K-State, Hale Library, libhelp@k-state.edu, 532-3014, fax 532-7415
- Movies on the Grass Film Series, Hale Library, mog@k-state.edu, 532-7436, fax 532-6144
- Scholarly Publishing, Center for, 118 Hale Library, cads@k-state.edu, 532-7444
History
Hale's architectural design features a seven-arch loggia entrance and finial-topped towers rising six and seven stories high. Interior design features include oak hardwood floors, brass handrails, sculpted metal banisters, carved and etched limestone facings, and door ornamentations depicting native Kansas plants and wildlife. The original library, named Farrell Library in honor of Francis David Farrell, the university’s eighth president (1925-1943), was completed in 1927, making it the first building on campus devoted solely to housing the library. A second addition to the southwest was completed in 1970.
Growth of collections and services, combined with a severe reduction in quality student space, led to the need for further expansion. With dwindling state resources for construction projects, three components came together to fund the project: a federal windfall of funds to the state allowing Governor Joan Finney to allocate $18 million; K-State students passed a referendum to provide $5 million; and Joe and Joyce Hale, impressed with the financial commitment by the students, came forward with $5 million. Dedicated in 1997, the building was named Hale Library in their honor. To acknowledge the importance of the original library and its namesake, the 1927 structure retains the designation of “Historic Farrell Library,” and the main entry to Hale is known as the Farrell Entrance.
