Archive for April, 2011

Penrose Library is on the move!

Monday, April 25th, 2011

“April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks go!” wrote American journalist, novelist, essayist, and poet, Christopher Morley. Like flowers bursting into bloom, we are beginning the herculean task of preparing for our renewal as the future Academic Commons at Penrose Library.

On Monday, April 18th movers arrived early to begin re-locating the collection to the off-campus climate-controlled storage facility at the Hampden Center.  Microforms, government documents, bound journals, and lower-use books are the first to go. Movers can be seen hauling books constantly between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily.  The first part of the move will continue through this week, with an estimated end date of April 30th.

Packing up

Because the lower-use materials are moving first, chances are slim that study will be affected.  However, should you have any trouble locating books or other materials in the affected areas during this springtime disruption, be sure to use the “Request it” button in the Penrose library catalog.  The “Request it” button can be used either for materials that are located in the Hampden Center or for those that are still here in Penrose Library.  In either case, paging systems are in place to retrieve your materials within a few hours.  And, of course, the fine and knowledgeable folks at the Access Services Desk and the Research Center are happy to help with your requests as usual.

Once construction actually begins in July, we will create a study location using the Driscoll Ballroom and Gallery space surrounded by academic support services, re-creating the main floor of Penrose library.  This will include a pick-up desk for books as well as the Research Center, the Writing Center, the Math Center, and a computer lab. Other services, including Special Collections, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Writing Program faculty offices, will relocate to Aspen Hall (currently called Aspen Apartments, map).  The UTS computer help desk will be relocated to the UTS building (at 2100 S. High Street, map) and the Quick Copy Center will be relocated to the Bookstore.

Penrose Library is a dynamic place where change is most definitely in the air.  We thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding during this exciting time of rejuvenation.

Explore our New Database Listings Page

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Penrose Library will be changing the way databases are presented on the website. To start using the new page and preparing yourself for the adjustments take the following steps:

1. Go to the library website at library.du.edu
2. Click on the “Databases (new view)” link


3. You will retrieve a page from which you can access the databases by alphabet or subject.

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4. Click on a subject as illustrated below to get a list of options. For instance, if you clicked on General / Interdisciplinary, start with “Most Useful” to get an alphabetical list of annotated databases that fit this category and start your search.

Exhibit – “Ballet Struck: Lillian Covillo and Colorado Ballet” April 22-July 1

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Lillian Covillo, late 1930s-early 1940s. Photographer: Cesare Morganti. Courtesy of University of Denver Special Collections and Archives, Carson-Brierly Dance Library

For those who love to bask in the romance of eras gone by, you won’t want to miss: “Ballet Struck: Lillian Covillo and Colorado Ballet,” a special exhibit of vintage dance memorabilia on the main level of the Penrose Library at the University of Denver (DU). The free exhibit kicks off in step with National Dance Week, beginning April 22.

Lillian Covillo, late 1930s-early 1940s. Photographer: Cesare Morganti. Courtesy of University of Denver Special Collections and Archives, Carson-Brierly Dance Library.

This exquisite trip down memory lane offers an opportunity to learn about the history of dance in the Rocky Mountain region through programs, clippings, publicity stills, costumes and a 50-year history of the Colorado Ballet. The exhibit also showcases a tribute video to Covillo, who passed away last November. Lillian Covillo was one of the co-founders of Colorado Ballet.

The exhibit reception will be held on May 19 at 7 PM, and will include remarks by Ms. Covillo’s former students and colleagues from the  dance community, as well as light refreshments.

The exhibit is FREE and open to the public during library hours from April 22 – July 1, 2011.

For more information about the exhibit/exhibit reception, the Carson-Brierly Dance Library, or Penrose Library at DU, contact Karen Nozik: (303) 871-3958, karen.nozik@du.edu.

For information about parking near Penrose Library, visit: http://library.du.edu/goodanswers/where-can-i-park-near-the-penrose-library.

Happy Birthday to William Shakespeare

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Penrose is celebrating William Shakespeare’s 447th birthday by showcasing some of our collection relating to the famed poet and playwright.  You can find film adaptations to his comedies and tragedies as well as books relating to his works on display.  These materials can be checked out.  Here is a list of the items (PDF).

Shall We Tango? Explore the Dance Collections Through Tango!

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Did you know that Penrose Library has a dance collection?  It comprises books (both in the book stacks and Special Collections), periodicals, and video.  Last summer the Women’s Library Association awarded grant money to strengthen the tango portion of this collection, by providing funds to buy materials on Argentine tango.

How do you find these new acquisitions?  In the “Find Books and More” search box, type in

tango danc*

You will discover books and DVDs that Penrose Library already owned, as well as the new acquisitions.  Use the facet links on the left of the screen to limit by format (books or DVDs), by language (Spanish or English or French), or by geographic area (tango in the United States or Buenos Aires or Argentina).  Want to see which titles are in Special Collections?  Limit to the Special Collections location.

Interested in other types of dances?  Try searching ballet danc* or ballroom danc* and explore the results to find materials on how to dance, discussion of the dance, and fictional accounts that incorporate the dance.  Use the facets to limit by location in the library, format (book, DVD, periodical), language, and place (location where the dance takes place).