Geneva College's Library is named in honor of Dr. Clarence Edward Macartney, an influential evangelical minister of the early twentieth century. Built in the collegiate Gothic style, the stone structure was erected in 1930 and enlarged in 1965.

Along with its main collection, which helps to support the curriculum of the College, the Library's holdings include several special collections, among them the Covenanter Collection, which is comprised of materials about the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America and its origins in Scotland; the Geneva Author Collection, a collection of the writings of the College's faculty, staff, alumni, and students; and a collection of Dr. Macartney's own books and memorabilia. The Gerstner Collection consists of Dr. John H. Gerstner's papers, publications, personal library, and media recordings. Together these special collections provide fertile ground for students, faculty, and visiting scholars to explore Presbyterian history and biblical theology through several perspectives and time periods.

McCartney Library is committed to providing equal access to library resources and services for all library users. For library collections that are not accessible, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and timely access for users with disabilities. For more information, visit the Student Success Center.

McCartney Library is a member of OCLC, the Online Computer Library Center, through which it has access to 50 million library holdings worldwide. The Library also is a member of the Keystone Library Network consortium of academic and research libraries.

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Features of the building

Stained Glass

The Library provides space for students to read, study, and write papers at tables and carrels throughout the building.  The two large reading rooms on the first floor are the most inspiring. Soaring ceilings end with eighteen-panel stained glass windows that depict two famous works of Christian literature: Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (1678) and Milton's Paradise Lost (1667).

The windows were produced by Henry Lee Willet (1899-1983) of the Willet Studio of Philadelphia. Drs. Shirley Kilpatrick and the late Howard Matteson-Boze, professors in history and humanities, interpreted the meaning and beauty of the windows in two books with detailed images of each pane.

Copies of the books are available for purchase by contacting the Library Circulation desk by calling 724-847-6563 or by emailing libcirc@geneva.edu

Bells

One of the library′s most recognizable features is the tower above the entrance which houses the bell carillon. Quarter-hour chimes ring across campus and the solemn bass note tolls the hours. The 14-bell set, ranging from 350 to 3,000 pounds, was fashioned in 1930 by Baltimore′s McShane Bell Foundry, and they would be nearly impossible for Geneva to afford in today's market. Each bell has two inscriptions: one from the Psalms and the other from "Ring out, Wild Bells," a part of Tennyson's poem In Memoriam. 

Learn more

Read about the inspiring history of the library in a blog post by Dr. William Edgar.

The Bell Tower newsletter provides updates on collections and people in the library.

• Fall 2018, v.10, # 1
• Spring 2017, v.9, # 1
• Fall 2015, v.8, # 1
• Fall 2014, v.7, # 1
• Fall 2012, v.6, # 1
• Spring 2012, v.5, # 2
• Fall 2011, v.5, # 1
• Spring 2011, v.4, # 2
• Fall 2010, v.4, # 1
• Spring 2010, v.3, # 2
• Fall 2009, v.3, # 1
• Spring 2009, v.2, # 2
• Fall 2008, v.2, # 1
• Spring 2008, v.1, #2
• Fall 2007, v.1, # 1

If you have questions about the library, or anything else, please don't hesitate to Ask a librarian!