Lewis J. Ort Library Building 50th Anniversary

Mar 30, 2026 9:00 AM

Frostburg State University will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of its library building with a special event hosted by the Lewis J. Ort Library on Thursday, April 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The celebration will take place on the library's fifth floor in Room 511.

The program will feature a presentation by librarian and archivist Liza Zakharova, who will share the history of libraries at FSU using materials from the Dr. David M. Gillespie Special Collections.

The original Frostbur State College Library opening on April 8, 1976, following a five-yeaer development and construction period. Designed by Emil Kish of Rogers and Vaeth and constructed by George Construction Company, the facility was described at the time as an "ultra-modern," five-story structure encompassing 112,000 square feet with the capacity to house more than 300,000 volumes. Construction costs totaled $4.6 million.

On October 28, 1990, the building was dedicated as the Ort Library in honor of Lewis J. Ort, a local businessman and philanthropist.

The event will also feature a performance by the FSU Jazz Orchestra, led by Brent Weber. Refreshments will be provided. Faculty, staff and members of the campus community are invited to attend.