Benedictine College’s new Library nears completion

By: Darren Doyle

ATCHISON, Kan. (KQTV) -- Benedictine College's new library is nearing completion, as the multi-million dollar building recreating history is set to continue on the college's pride in the country. 

The previous library was built in 1967 for a much smaller student body. Now, the much larger building, which resembles Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Constitution was signed, will have much more room for books and students. 

"(The building) demonstrates our commitment to academic excellence, and so now we have a place for our students to go. They can study. This knowledge surrounds them; their intellectual senses will be heightened by being in this building," said Stephen Minnis, Benedictine College's president.

Even inside the hall, a recreation of the Assembly Room where the signing of the Constitution happened will be showcased, along with a recreation of the Liberty Bell.

Minnis said a big part of their inspiration to make the library resemble a historical landmark, along with more intricate details about its debut, centers on the college's plan to Transform Culture in America. 

"At our groundbreaking ceremony, our student government president said that the youth of today are taught to hate their country, but we believe in America," President Minnis shared. "We think the last best hope on earth should be celebrated, and that those values of self-government and individual liberty and civic virtue should be passed on from one generation to the next."

The building is expected to be completed on July 4, 2026, with opening celebrations later in the fall featuring reenactors of the founding of our country.

Resources are available to current students in Benedictine's Student Success Center. Other materials are also available online and can be transferred from other libraries to Ravens on campus. 

For more information on this project, click here.