<p>MANHATTAN —Fire on May 22, 2018 caused significant damage to Hale Library on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan. The university celebrated with a virtual&nbsp; grand reopening Thursday evening.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nLQ4-q3uMo4?start=2102" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>Chair of the University Library Committee, Amy Rosine, said to save the building several hundred thousand gallons of water flooded the building. "While the fire was contained to the roof smoke and water caused damage throughout the building. All of the books needed to be removed and cleaned, and about 85% of the library was in dire need of renovation and repair."</p><p>KSU Libraries administrators launched a recovery process immediately. "Soaked books were&nbsp; frozen in an effort to further stop damage and prevent mold growth. " Rosine added that "damaged ceilings and carpet were removed, walls demolished and library services were relocated and made operational. " Library personnel worked from different locations on campus.</p><p>K-State libraries and the KSU Foundation launched a campaign that resulted in more than $330,000 for Help for Hale. The support was considered important for the reimaging during Innovation and Inspiration, the $1.4 billion campaign for K-State. Major gift donors provided support to help the library.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618536864265.jpeg" alt="Photo - KSU showed improvements made during the Library renovation period." />
                        <figcaption>Photo - KSU showed improvements made during the Library renovation period.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The renovated first floor of the library opened on Jan. 25 of this year and the remaining floors on Feb. 15. Improvements range from a new first floor entrance, many spaces to collaborate, quiet study spaces, the Great Room restoration, new technology including digital media production, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence to meet needs of students for the future. There is also a cafe that offers snacks plus&nbsp; a new meditation space and wash basin, a children's area and a location for multicultural and community studies. There are two new reading rooms with natural light in the historic Farrell Library&nbsp;</p>

K-State celebrates the grand reopening of Hale Library