General Info

McPherson College’s Miller Library houses a collection of over 90,000 print materials with special collections, including an archive of periodicals, an automotive technology collection featuring many rare and hard-to-find items pertaining to vintage and classic cars, and the Brethren Collection, a wealth of primary source material documenting the history of the Brethren Church and of McPherson College.

Students visiting the library will also find private and group study spaces, ample computer lab space, a music collection, and a collection of feature films on DVD. In addition, we offer comprehensive access to numerous online journal databases and participate in an inter-library loan program, making it possible for us to get just about anything you might need to complete that research project!

Whatever your library needs, just visit one of our librarians or student staff to begin exploring what Miller Library has to offer.

Library Services

Catalog

Our online catalog is available on all library and campus computers and can be accessed from off-campus as well.

Circulation

All items are checked out at the Public Services Desk. Present your college identification card. Non-campus patrons may obtain a card with proper identification.

Collections

Most materials in Miller Library are in the General Collection.

000s-500s – Upper Level, south side
600s-900s – Upper Level, north side

AV Audio-Visual (non-print) interfiled with General Collection
B Brethren (college and church history) Lower Level, room 101
C Control (ask at Public Services Desk)
J Juvenile (materials for teacher education) Lower Level, north side
Q Quarto (oversized) interfiled in General Collection, lower shelves
R Reference East side of Music Room
S Center for Science and Religion, Melhorn
T Auto Restoration Technology Special Collection Main Level, south side

Periodicals: Issues of most current volumes are on shelves on the main level. Past volumes are on the Lower Level either bound, loose, or in microform. Many full-text articles are available on the online databases. Please ask for assistance in locating periodicals.

Online Databases: Miller Library subscribes to many online databases, most of which contain full-text articles. Click here for a complete list.

Loan Periods

Periodicals – one day
Reserves – as specified by faculty member; usually 2 hours
Interlibrary – as specified by lending library; usually 3 weeks from the time the item arrives at Miller Library from the lending library.
Audio Visual materials – 3 days
All other materials – 3 weeks
Any item that has been out for one month is subject to recall if needed by another patron.

Fines

Overdue Interlibrary Loan materials are fined $1.00 per day.
Miller Library charges no fines for any other overdue materials; however, replacement costs and a processing fee will be assessed for any item damaged or not returned. Students will not be able to enroll for the next term until materials are returned and/or charges paid.

Interlibrary Loan

Books or periodical articles that you wish to use but are not available in Miller library may be requested on interlibrary loan. Request forms are available at the Public Services Desk or you may use the form on the library’s web page. Allow at least four days to two weeks. You will be notified when the item you have requested has arrived. It can be picked up at the Public Services Desk and must be returned to the desk by the due date. This date and possible renewals are at the discretion of the lending library.

Computers/Photocopies/Audio-Visual Equipment

The computers in Miller Library are available to McPherson College students, staff and faculty, and wireless access is available on the main level. All McPherson College policies regarding computer use must be followed. A photocopying machine is available near the Public Services Desk. The charge is 10 cents per exposure or 40 cents for transparencies.

Binding and lamination services are available. Velobinding is $ .50 for 1-inch, $ .75 for 2-inch, and $ 1 for 3-inch binding. Lamination is $ .50 per pouch or $ .25/foot for large items. The library has most standard audio-visual equipment ready for check-out for college use, including projectors, players, recorders, cameras, and laptop computers. Please ask at the Public Services Desk or call extension 2488 to reserve equipment.