Following last week’s fire on the Hale Library roof, K-State has announced a fundraiser to cover the cost of damage.
The fundraiser, named the “Help for Hale” initiative, has already raised $15,000 according to Jeff Morris, K-State Vice President for Communications and Marketing. Morris told the Mercury recently that all of the funds will be going toward the repairs, though the total cost of those repairs are still unknown pending the investigation results.
It has not been determined if the university will be responsible for its $500,000 insurance deductible and adjusters are still working on their investigation.
Morris told the Mercury that many of the library’s collections were covered due to renovations on the building’s first floor. There was minimal damage to rare and historical books and documents.
Campus officials also reported in K-State Today that they have contracted with Belfor Property Restoration for the repairs and cleanup in the fire’s aftermath. Belfor has already removed 95 percent of the water in the structure and are evaluating books alongside library staff as they are removed from the building.
Officials have also determined the fire started on the northwest corner of the library’s roof caused by ongoing construction.
Most online services for K-State have been brought back online, the student information services being the next priority according to Morris.
To support the restoration fundraiser, visit https://give.evertrue.com/ksu/help-for-hale.
