FHSU University Communications
Fort Hays State University’s Scholars Repository has achieved a major milestone, surpassing 3,000,00 total downloads as of April 9, 2026.
The FHSU Scholars Repository serves as a digital platform that collects, preserves, and shares the creative and scholarly work of Fort Hays State University faculty, staff, and students. Since its launch in January 2016, the repository has grown to include more than 35,000 works, all accessible to a worldwide audience.
This milestone reflects the growing global impact of FHSU scholarship. Works housed in the repository have been downloaded more than 3 million times by researchers, educators, and students worldwide, demonstrating both the reach and relevance of the university’s academic contributions.
“I am so proud of the work our library faculty have put in on creating, maintaining, and expanding the FHSU Scholars Repository,” said Ginger Williams, FHSU dean of library services. “This milestone should encourage even more faculty to host their articles with us so that they can be found and read by researchers all over the world.”
A key factor in this widespread visibility is accessibility. Each work added to the repository is indexed by Google Scholar, making it easily discoverable and freely available to users across the globe. This open-access model ensures that FHSU research can be used to inform studies, support teaching, and inspire innovation far beyond campus.
The FHSU Scholars Repository features content from the University Archives, Master’s Theses, the Doctor of Nursing Practice projects, faculty publications, and more.
“Our goal is to provide the university with a variety of digital content for students and researchers,’ said Crystal Hutchinson, digital curation librarian. “Thank you to our students, faculty, and librarians for all your contributions to the repository.”
Visitors can explore FHSU scholarship through an interactive map available on the FHSU Scholars Repository website, which highlights where research is being accessed worldwide: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/
Among the most frequently downloaded materials are open textbooks authored by FHSU faculty. These resources support the university’s commitment to affordability by providing zero-cost (Z-Course) textbook options, helping students avoid the rising costs of traditional course materials while maintaining high-quality educational content.
This milestone underscores Fort Hays State University’s ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge, supporting student success, and contributing to the global academic community.
“Having worked closely with library and university colleagues to establish the FHSU Scholars Repository 10 years ago, it is a thrill to reach this milestone,” said Jennifer Sauer, scholar services & E-resources librarian. “We began this journey with two works, one journal and one Open Education Resource, and a dream that the FHSU teacher, scholar, learning community would embrace sharing their important research and scholarship with the world.”
“Thirty-five thousand works and three million downloads later, we are excited to continue contributing and freely sharing the fruits of FHSU’s mission globally.”