Welcome to the Forsyth Library / Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center Digital Repository of Space Exploration. Forsyth Library and the Kansas Cosmosphere have the mission of providing access to rare, one-of-a-kind archives and artifacts related to the exploration of outer space.
| The Digital Repository of Space Exploration project has the mission of creating a new and unique digital resource of primary source materials related to human space exploration that occurred between 1959 and 1975 -- the time period designated as the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The collaborative effort between Forsyth Library, the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, and Fort Hays State University will also create educational opportunities for K-12 and post-secondary students as well as professional development opportunities for teachers. |
During 2003 and 2004, representatives from Forsyth Library, the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center (KCSC), and Fort Hays State University (FHSU) began discussing methods for collaborating on the cataloging, research, documentation, and on-line display of archival materials and artifacts held by the KCSC. The need for cataloging the archive and for providing digital access to the archive materials and artifacts became evident through queries to the Cosmosphere from researchers located around the world, the general public, and educational institutions; interviews with KCSC staff; and the increased interest in topics involving human space flight illustrated through museum attendance. Discussions also focused on the selection of a topic and collections for a digital preservation project.
Forsyth Library at Fort Hays State University
Forsyth Library is an award-winning outcomes-oriented State University Library that serves Fort Hays State University, the local community, the Western Kansas region, the State of Kansas, and learners from across the globe. The Library received one of 32 Kansas Award of Excellence “Commitment to Excellence” Awards for 2003. Eighteen staff members occupy administrative, academic support, and administrative support positions within the Library.
The Library is housed in a three-story building with a seating capacity of 430 and includes three mediated computer labs. Library resources include 562,901items in the general collection, 26,367 items in the reference collection, 24,832 items in the juvenile collection, 1,571,850 items in the government documents collection, and 1,600 on-line journals and 100 on-line databases. In addition, the Library features an electronic reserve system, a video-on-demand systems, and a Copyright and Intellectual Property Center, and a Writing Center. The Library celebrated its 75th anniversary as a federal government documents depository during 2002.
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University was established in 1902 on the grounds of the abandoned Fort Hays military post southwest of Hays and remains as the only public four-year university primarily empowered to serve the residents of the western half of Kansas. The University is located about equidistant between the larger metro areas of Kansas City and Denver and is accessible directly via Interstate 70 as well as through regional airlines. The service area for FHSU spans 61 counties in western Kansas.
The university is separated into four academic colleges, and divisions of student affairs and administration and finance FHSU is classified as a Carnegie Master’s Level I university and is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to offer Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Specialist degrees. In the State of Kansas degree requirements at all Regents schools are set by the Board of Regents. All Associate degrees require 64 credit hours of coursework.
The university has adopted the expression “Mission centered, market smart” to reflect our strong commitment to the traditional student base, while allowing ourselves the opportunity to explore other market opportunities through our Virtual distance learning operation. Over the past three years this philosophy has allowed the university to expand educational opportunities to our traditional student base as well as expanding the scope of offerings to students around the globe through our Virtual College offerings. Students come to the university from every county in the state, from 37 different states, and 30 foreign countries.
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