Moritz Library in D’Aniello Hall
In addition to housing Benedictine College’s entire book collection, Moritz Library in D’Aniello Hall features a museum-quality replica of the Liberty Bell and the Assembly Room where the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed, as well as extensive student study space, sacred art and statuary, and a coffee shop.
- Over 1,500 saw a preview of the new library during a July 4 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The building will be dedicated on September 26, 2026.
- Benedictine College is also hosting an exhibition of rare historical documents, including key documents from the colonial and early post-revolutionary eras of the country.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday
Library open 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Assembly Room & Exhibits open Noon to 4:00 PM
Friday
Library open 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Assembly Room & Exhibits open Noon to 4:00 PM
Saturday
Library open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday
Library open Noon to 11:00 PM
News & Stories
Library Services
Moritz Library supports the educational and research needs of faculty, students and staff at Benedictine College, as well as the monastic communities of Saint Benedict’s Abbey and Mount St. Scholastica Monastery. Through resource sharing and cooperative agreements, the library’s collections are accessible to the community of Atchison, Kansas and the world at large. As heirs to more than 1500 years of Benedictine tradition, we are committed to preserving, expanding and making available our historical and contemporary collections in various formats.
Students, faculty, and staff should use RavenZone login and password for off-campus database access.
Research
Library Services FAQs
Where are the books located within the library?
Books are located on all levels of the Moritz Library.
- The first-floor Study Room houses U.S. History books.
- The second-floor Study Room and Reference Area (next to the circulation desk) include:
- Current periodicals and newspapers
- Children’s books
- Course reserves
- Reference books (for in-library use only)
- The Haverty Reading Room houses books in theology, philosophy and literature.
- On the lower level, down the hall from Holy Grounds, the Compact Shelving area houses bound periodicals, oversize reference books, the rest of the collection and government documents.
- Rare books are located in a special display room on the second floor in the east wing.
How do I get a book out of Compact Shelving?
There are multiple options for accessing books in the compact shelving area.
- Place a hold on the book and you will be notified by email when the book is ready to be picked up at the first-floor circulation desk.
- Visit the second-floor circulation desk and a staff member will go with you to Compact Shelving to retrieve the book.
- Browse books during Compact Shelving open hours, Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- Set up an appointment with library staff for a specific time to browse the collection in Compact Shelving.
Exhibits and Civic Education
The Moritz Library is the home of Benedictine College’s Center for Constitutional Liberty, which coordinates civics education and related events and programs. For inquiries into school trips, museum tours and civics programs, please contact us.
Central Hall and The Assembly Room
The Central Hall houses a replica of the Liberty Bell and provides access to the Assembly Room. The walls feature portraits of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton — along with Declaration signer Charles Carroll and his cousin John Carroll, the first American bishop.
The replica of the Assembly Room at Independence Hall is the centerpiece of Benedictine College’s new civic education space, opened on July 4, 2026, during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It is the room where the Declaration was debated and adopted in 1776 and where the Constitution was drafted and signed in 1787—making it one of the most significant sites in American self-government. The Assembly Room serves as the flagship space of the Center for Constitutional Liberty, which promotes understanding of America’s founding principles and their harmony with the Catholic intellectual tradition. Through tours, exhibits, and educational programs, the Center invites students and visitors to explore the enduring relevance of constitutional government.
Celebrating the American Experiment Hosted Exhibition of Early American Documents
In partnership with The Remnant Trust, the college is featuring an exhibition of centuries-old documents from the British Empire and the American Colonies. The collection is in the Schell Room across from the Assembly Room, and includes some notable documents which demonstrate the move toward independence and underlying influences.
Library Staff
If you have questions about facilities and programs at the Moritz Library in D’Aniello Hall, please consider us at your service. Send a Message
