Sustaining the Heart of DU through Distinctive Collections

At the heart of every great university is a great library. The University Libraries support all research and education across all majors and programs, so the success of the library and the university are intertwined. Investing in library collections, services, and spaces benefits everyone from a first-year undergraduate to a senior professor.   

Our collections shape the way courses are taught and research is conducted. Our buildings provide space for all who need to study and engage with information. And our librarians work with students and faculty across the disciplines on critical information literacy skills. Supporting the library supports all DU students, faculty, teaching, learning, and research.   

Collections:    

Stronger collections give our students and faculty more opportunities to conduct research at a deeper level. A great university library has collections that are both broad – covering all subjects – and deep – covering a wide range of experiences and interpretations, with a mix of material types. Building collections involves more than just acquiring materials – it requires strategies for preservation, description, discovery, and access – each of which needs ongoing support.   

The University Libraries create positive impact in our local, national and global communities:  

We provide information literacy training, expose students to a broad range of information content and create lifelong learners capable of thinking critically about information resources. This combats skepticism about science and mistrust of news sources, leading to a more engaged and informed citizenry.   

We build collections that are a collective good. We collect for DU, but also for the broader Denver and Colorado community and beyond. We welcome all who wish to use our collections which, within an entire network of libraries, help preserve our cultural heritage.   

We develop diverse collections, making sure that we are preserving the history of all of us. By doing so, we amplify voices that are silenced and provide our students with a broader and richer perspective on the world.  

Support the University Libraries with your gift on 1DAY4DU to preserve knowledge and provide transformational learning and research for students and faculty.