Interview with Stuart Forth, December 1, 1977

Interview Summary

Stuart Forth, former Dean of the University of Kentucky libraries, recalls his tenure at UK. He was the Associate Director of Libraries at the University of Kansas when he heard that the University of Kentucky was looking for a new dean. He recalls his first impressions of the campus when he came to UK for an interview stating that there was a wonderful sense of growth and excitement. Forth also talks about some of the faculty members at Kentucky whom he already knew, namely, Thomas D. Clark, Paul Nagle, and A.B. Kirwan.

Forth compares the University of Kentucky libraries with those of the University of Kansas. He describes his relationship with UK President John Oswald, and his feelings about the role of the University Librarian. Forth explains the most urgent needs of the library system when he was appointed. He states that his first priority was to bring some kind of rational administrative leadership. He recalls the proposal for the building of a separate undergraduate library which he felt was completely unnecessary. Forth also describes departmental libraries, especially the home economics library and the life sciences library.

In September of 1968, the Vice President of Student Affairs left the University of Kentucky, and AB Kirwan asked Forth if he would be willing to take the interim position. He describes the situation on campus at this time recalling student protests. He remembers the attempt of a student group called the Free University to become an official student organization and Singletary's refusal to allow this to happen due to the group's radical nature and their offensive acronym. He describes the administration's reaction to other student protests including the burning of the ROTC building in May of 1970. In the summer of 1970 Forth returned to his job with the library. He discusses the plans for an addition to the library, and the acquisition of the large manuscript collections of John Sherman Cooper and A.B. "Happy" Chandler. He also discusses his work at Penn State and his dealings with the library school at UK.

Interview Keyword

University of Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Forth, Stuart Forth, Stuart--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.