In addition to books, classrooms, and computers, our library features special collection rooms...

settlers from Poland who since 1856 have made their homes in Wyoming Valley. The stone floor and painted beams are typical of early Polish interiors, as are tapestries on the wall, which used to be hung to hold warmth inside homes.

The rug in our room was handmade and the heavy birch furniture was crafted by Stefan Hellersperk of Dallas Township. Its designs were inspired by wood carvings of the Zakopane area in Poland. Paintings in our collection include pieces of Thaddeus Kosciusko, Casmir Pulaski, Madam Curie, Nicolaus Copernicus, and the Black Madonna. Wooden dolls in native Polish attire and pisanki (See a few of these beautifully decorated eggs above.) are also displayed to further represent the Polish culture.

Gilbert Stuart McClintock, a former prominent local attorney who served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wilkes College. His family home, built by his grandfather around 1840, was donated to Wilkes and serves as the McClintock residence hall on South River Street.

Mr. McClintock had a large collection of autographs, which date back to Charles V of France. His collection also includes autographs of all American presidents from Washington to Eisenhower.

Eleanor Coates Farley, the wife of the first president of Wilkes College, Eugene S. Farley, after whom our library is named. She was an accomplished pianist. This room reflects her interest in music, fine arts, and human relations.

An antique piano was specifically purchased to enhance this room. Three of the walls are covered with handpainted silver leaf from Hong Kong while the fourth typifies paneling of 200 years ago. Mrs. Farley's favorite shade of blue predominates the furnishings of this formal music drawing room.

Admiral Harold Raynsford Stark, a Wilkes-Barre native who was Chief of Naval Operations in Washington at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He later served as the Commander of the European Naval Forces in 1942, and as a liason between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. After his retirement, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wilkes College.

This room is decorated in the Navy's (and Wilkes') blue and gold. It is furnished with the desk and chair Admiral Stark used while serving as the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, personal scrapbooks and books, flags and other memorabilia.

In addition to this room, Stark Hall, and later, Stark Learning Center were dedicated in his honor. Chase Hall was the home of Admiral Stark's sister, and was also given to the College through his efforts.

one of the most well-known major living writers. He has published 39 books (including 11 novels). He has also written plays, screenplays, and poems and is a winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. This collection contains his personal dining room table, books he has published, and awards he has received.