Hale Library is the main academic research library of Kansas State University. The original library building (named Farrell Library in 1955) opened in 1927 in the heart of the K-State campus nearly 100 years ago. Additions constructed in three decades - 1950s, 1970s and 1990s – had increased the size of the library to more than
400,000 SF. The library embarked on plans to remodel and reconfigure the first floor of the library to create a 24/5 learning commons in 2017. Those plans were paused following a devastating fire at the library in May 2018. The fire was contained to a limited area; however, the fire burned for over four hours which resulted in water and smoke damage to the entire facility. It became apparent that every inch of the library would require reconstruction. This was a watershed moment – an opportunity to not only repair the damage that had been done, but to thoughtfully transform Hale Library into a 21st century academic research library replete with the spaces, amenities, technology, and power demanded by today’s students and library staff.

Working closely with library leaders and with input from students and staff, PGAV Architects developed a master plan to guide the transformation and reconstruction of this landmark library and to bring the library back into service as quickly as possible. Key goals of the master plan included reducing the library’s collection from approximately 1.3 million to 750,000 volumes, increasing student seats from 1,600 pre-fire to 2,000, better integrating services and collaborative student spaces on Levels 1 and 2, and improving Library staff workflow and patron/staff proximity to services. Construction was fast-tracked with the Learning Commons opening to students at the beginning of the 2019 Fall semester. Close attention was paid to the use of the new space and amenities and observations used to adapt plans for the other four floors.

Design concepts outlined in the plan and implemented in the ensuing transformation included the following.

- A new entrance

- Dave and Ellie Everitt Learning Commons

- Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab

- Historic Farrell Library restoration

- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - gender-neutral and family restrooms, a wudu wash station, and lactation and meditation rooms

- Student success center

- Restructured shelving and archives

- Historic preservation and restoration including the removal, repair, restoration, reinstallation and/or repurposing of historic elements from the original library

- Celebrating and embracing the history of the building by exposing several areas of limestone, a mainstay on the K-State campus

- Access to power and increased bandwidth

- Installation of LED lighting

- A mix of furniture to support individual, small group and large group study and collaboration

- Building-wide accessibility and life safety improvements

- Integration of high-performance/sustainable building systems and materials with existing central plant infrastructure for increased energy efficiency

- New open office environments for staff

PROJECT INFORMATION

PROJECT SCOPE

SERVICES PROVIDED

405,460 GSF Renovation

Architecture, Programming, Space Planning; Interior Design, FF&E Procurement, Graphics, Sustainable Design