Are you wondering how we are collecting feedback and suggestions on the new library?  Plans for the building project thus far have taken into account feedback gathered over the past ten years on library services and facilities through LibQual surveys distributed to the campus community, emails and comment cards from library users, and outreach to campus groups by library faculty.  As plans for the new library evolve, library staff and the architectural team are gathering additional input from students and faculty through surveys and focus groups.

The first phase of the current feedback cycle was completed during Winter Quarter just prior to finals, when Penrose Library saw a record number of visitors.  This effort gathered student input through point-of-use feedback boards in study areas throughout the building.  At the start of Spring Quarter, all students on campus will be emailed a detailed survey asking their opinions on study spaces, technology, and library furniture preferences.  Focus groups are planned for Spring Quarter as well.

Faculty have been involved in library renovation planning over the past several years through the Faculty Senate and the Library Liaison Advisory Group, which include representatives from all academic departments.   Faculty are encouraged to submit questions or additional feedback on the building project to their library liaison.

DU staff, alumni, and visitors are also encouraged to submit their questions and feedback to Karen Nozik (karen.nozik@du.edu) or to the Research Center by email, phone, chat(IM), or text.   Just click on the “Ask Us!” button found on the library homepage and throughout the Academic Commons website for all the ways to reach the Research Center.

Finally, if your questions about the building project are not answered on our Academic Commons Frequently Asked Questions page, submit your questions to us so that we can respond to you and, when appropriate, add these questions to our list of FAQs.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Welcome to our new web site!  With plans for our magnificent new library moving full steam ahead, we’ve created this site as your one-stop spot for the latest news and information.

Bookmark this page and plan on visiting regularly for answers and for updates about the Penrose Library building project.

As you can probably tell, we can barely contain excitement about moving forward with plans for a dramatic improvement in our ability to meet the needs of students and faculty — now and into the future.

Those who work at Penrose field a lot of questions vis-à-vis the new Academic Commons at Penrose Library. To address one of the more common questions– why is Penrose Library renovating?  Consider just a few of the wonderful features that we have to look forward to in the new library:

• Increased seating and more comfortable work spaces
• Deep quiet study areas
• Plentiful group study rooms in a variety of sizes
• ADA compliant book stacks
• Enhanced technology in all areas
• A new multimedia software support service
• A  larger café with patio seating
• Well-appointed spaces for events, lectures, and to showcase exhibits
• More power outlets throughout the whole library
• Increased natural light
• Energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems…

And that’s just the beginning of the parade! The Academic Commons at Penrose Library will create a beautiful new library in our current location, at the heart of the DU campus. Improvements to the physical space will make the library more inviting and energy efficient, and will create a library of the future that better supports student learning and faculty research.

Help us share our enthusiasm for the new library building project by forwarding this link to others!

If you have questions or concerns that aren’t answered elsewhere on the site, or if you’d like to share feedback about the Penrose Library building project, send ‘em on through the convenient “Ask Us” button featured prominently. We’d love to hear from you.

And be sure to visit us again, soon.