About the Library

About the L. Nelson Bell Library

The L. Nelson Bell Library is an integral part of Montreat College’s academic program. The staff, collection and services support the educational program and information needs of the faculty and students, both on and off campus. The library is named in honor of Dr. L. Nelson Bell, who was an outstanding missionary, surgeon, author, and a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.

Services include a library instruction program for undergraduate and graduate students, reference services, access to online databases, and interlibrary loan. Staff members provide orientation to the library for students and work closely with the faculty to offer instruction to individual classes. Librarians are available to assist students in locating information via the Internet and in the use of electronic reference sources.

The library’s collection offers access to information in all formats. Resources include books, periodicals (print and electronic), online databases, videos, DVDs, and compact disks. The audiovisual department provides materials and equipment to support and supplement the instructional program. Online services include NC LIVE, JSTOR, and many other databases. Through the Appalachian College Association shared online catalog, faculty and students have access to thousands of volumes from academic libraries throughout the region.

The building is equipped with study and research areas for individual and group work. Available within the facility are a computer lab, an art gallery, a calling and career center, and the nurses station.

Special collections include the memorabilia of Dr. L. Nelson Bell and the Crosby Adams Music Collection.

The main campus library is the hub for library services at the Charlotte and Asheville campuses. Services for the School of Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS) are designed specifically to meet the needs of the adult student population. Provision is made for computer-based information services, reference assistance, library instruction, agreements with university libraries, interlibrary loan, remote access to databases, and document delivery. Arrangements with area academic libraries offer borrowing privileges to AGS faculty and students. Faculty and students have remote access to databases that contain full text journal articles. Students can connect to those databases from computers at the Charlotte or Asheville campuses or from their office or home computers.

Additionally, the main campus library makes all of its services available to AGS faculty and students. The online catalog and databases can be accessed from the Charlotte and Asheville sites. Requests for library services may be transmitted to the main campus library by phone or e-mail. The Librarians provide interlibrary loan and reference services and instruction on the use of the library’s databases. Library orientation sessions are conducted for all new cohorts.

The Library will be closed during some special holidays. Dates to be determined for this upcoming academic year.

View historical library photos in the Historical Archive Building Photos.