Mountain Quest Institute

About the Library

The Mountain Quest Library, an affiliate of the West Virginia State Library System, is at the core of the Institute. The 35' by 25' two-level room that houses the library is a combination of cherry and antique white. A spiral staircase in the corner connects the main library with the upper-level walkways.

The Library combines simplicity and elegance with a brass chandelier, a lighted punched tin ceiling tray, and matching sconces situated against cherry wood beaming. Above the double-door entrance and on the ceilings of the alcoves are winding vines and flowers accented with a serpent (representing knowledge) and the Phoenix (representing emergence from the ashes, or rebirth) stenciled by a local artist. A group of leather burgundy couches and chairs offer comfortable seating. A black ebony baby grand player piano offers a selection of background music ... or crank up the old record player and hear the crooning tones of Bing Crosby ... or gently create the vibrating mellow tones of a crystal bowl.

The MQI collection of approximately 14,000 volumes housed in this facility is non-fiction. Focus areas of content range from leadership and organizational theory to biological sciences and physics to consciousness and spirituality to psychology and sociology to individual and organizational learning to philosophy and religion to history and warfare to information and knowledge management to systems and complexity theory, and much more. In addition, there is a hefty reference section that covers a myriad of topics. By appointment all materials are available to researchers for use on-site (call 304-799-7267). Cataloging of the collection is currently underway by the West Virginia State Library System. The library is also available for use by guests staying at the Mountain Quest Inn (see www.mountainquestinn.com )

This Web Site copyright 2005 by Alex and David Bennet. For educational and knowledge sharing purposes in the context of knowledge management, permission is given to copy and distribute materials on this web site with attribution.

Send mail to adean@mountainquestinstitute.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/11/05