Frequently Asked Questions - Academic Commons

Books and other materials requested online are delivered to the library from the Hampden Center.  By using delivery vans running in a continuous loop during library operating hours, we deliver books within two to four hours of request. 

We encourage you to use our book and DVD paging service  by clicking the “Request it” button in the online catalog.

Black and white and color printing will be available at Driscoll during the building project.

We understand the role Penrose Library plays in providing space for study and academic work on campus; that's why we are building a "new" Penrose!

In addition to study space in Penrose@Driscoll, over 20 additional designated study spaces are now available.  The complete list of Study Spaces on Campus can be found online on the Students page of the library’s website.  This chart allows you to look for space based on the type study (group or quiet) and lists amenities available in each area such as food services and printing.  Note that the entire Driscoll building is open library hours, including 24 hours a day from 10 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (complete hours).

Construction has begun and is anticipated to last until December 2012. We created a study location using the Driscoll Ballroom and Gallery space surrounded by academic support services, re-creating the main floor of Penrose Library.  This includes a pick-up desk for books as well as the Research Center, the Writing Center, the Math Center, and a computer lab.

Books and other materials requested online are delivered to the library from the Hampden Center within two to four hours of requesting an item.

Other services, including Special Collections, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Writing Program faculty offices, relocated to Aspen Hall.  The UTS computer help desk is currently in the UTS building, and the Quick Copy Center is in the Bookstore.

Information for accessing collections and services is provided by the web page at http://library.du.edu/site/academicCommons.  During the construction phase, we update information on the library’s main website to reflect changes to services or procedures.

The project began in July 2011.  A certificate of occupancy is expected around the beginning of February, 2013.  After that computers, furniture and books will be moved in, and academic service units, offices and a cafe will be prepared for the opening in March, 2013.

During construction, a temporary Penrose Library has been created in the Driscoll Ballroom, in the center of campus. The temporary library offers the Research Center, the Writing Center, the Math Center, and a computer lab in one convenient location, along with a book pick-up and drop-off location at the Access Services Desk.

Books and other materials requested online are delivered to the temporary library from the off-campus location.  We deliver requested materials within two to four hours using delivery vans running in a continuous loop during library hours.

Other services, including Special Collections, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Writing Program faculty offices, relocated to Aspen Hall on campus.  The UTS computer help desk relocated to the UTS building and the Quick Copy Center relocated to the DU Bookstore.

Find updates on the project website http://library.du.edu/site/academicCommons. Additionally, during construction, we update information on the library's main website to reflect service and procedure changes.

The Research Center, along with other services from the Main Level of Penrose Library, moved to Driscoll Ballroom during construction.  The Research Center functions as always, answering questions received in-person, by phone, by email, through Instant Messaging (IM) and from texts, as well as providing one-hour, individual and group consultations with subject specialist librarians.  Students and faculty can make a consultation appointment using the Research Consultation Request Form.

Most library services are available to you at the Driscoll Ballroom, including an Access Services Desk for circulation, interlibrary loan, and reserves questions.  You may request all reserves (traditional, e-reserves, streaming video) through a single form, accessible through our Faculty Guide to Reserves page, as is currently the case.

Plans for the building project took 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. 

Even now, as plans for the new library continue to evolve, library staff and the architectural team gather input from students and faculty through surveys and focus groups.

We gladly accept book donations to the University Libraries. In addition, the Women’s Library Association (WLA) supports DU libraries through an on-campus used book store called The Book Stack. Book donations are reviewed to evaluate whether the materials should be in the University's academic libraries.  If not, they are directed to the used book store for sale, and all proceeds from the sale of donated, used books are used to purchase new materials for the University Libararies.

We accept gifts approved by the Curator of Special Collections or the Collections Librarian:

• Rare or valuable books
• Strong collections of scholarly material in the humanities
• Books that fit into one or more special collections (cook books, dance books, history of the book, artists' books)

Please contact Michael Levine-Clark, Collections Librarian (michael.levine-clark@du.edu or 303.871.3413) or Kate Crowe, Curator of Special Collections (kate.crowe@du.edu) with questions. For book donation information please call (303-871-2665) or email wlabook@du.edu.

Book pick-up is available for large donations.  Please allow two to three weeks for pick-up.

The Penrose Library Academic Commons building project will create an entirely new library in the same location, physically at the heart of DU's campus. Improvements to Penrose will make it more inviting and energy efficient. We are enhancing information technology tools and clustering academic support services with the print and digital resources of the library. The interior physical space will be configured with study rooms, technology support, research services and furniture that enable students and faculty to research, study, and learn comfortably, individually or in groups.

• Increased seating on the upper and lower levels
• Addition of deep quiet study areas
• More group study rooms in a variety of sizes
• ADA compliant book stacks and elevators
• Enhanced technology in all areas
• A new multimedia software support service
• A larger café with patio seating
• An academic events space
• Increased number of power outlets throughout the building
• Increased natural light
• Energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems

The total project cost at this time is projected to be approximately $32 million.  This includes the cost of renovating the current library, creating the storage and retrieval system at the Hampden Center, and retrofitting the Driscoll Ballroom/Gallery and Aspen Hall for use during the construction phase. Fundraising for this project is ongoing through the University’s Ascend Campaign.

The building project is underway and the new Academic Commons at Penrose Library will open on March 25, 2013 for the start of spring quarter.  A certificate of occupancy is expected at the beginning of February.  After that, furniture, computers, nearly eight miles of books will be moved in, as well as set up of a full-service restaurant and academic support service points. 

Most staff, including those of Classroom Support, have offices in Aspen Hall during the building project.  Our updated  Library Directory  reflects the location of various staff throughout the project.  Classroom Support can still be reached at 303-871-3595.

Coffee! Snacks! They are available with other Penrose services in Driscoll North during construction.  Jazzman’s and The Pub offer drinks and dining near Penrose@Driscoll.

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), along with Special Collections, Classroom Support, and many library staff offices, relocated to Aspen Hall during the building project.  Main floor library services such as the Access Services Desk, the Research Center, the Writing Center, the Math Center, and a computer lab relocated to the Driscoll Ballroom and Gallery.

Staff at the Access Services Desk at Driscoll provide assistance with circulation, interlibrary loan, and reserves.  Reference librarians are available at the Research Center in Driscoll.  Most staff offices, including those of the subject-specialist librarians, relocated to Aspen Hall during construction of the Academic Commons.  Our Library Directory  reflects the location of various staff throughout the project.

For use during construction of the Academic Commons, we created study space in the Driscoll Ballroom and Gallery, and surrounded it with academic support services, re-creating the main floor of the old Penrose library.  This includes an Access Services Desk for book pick-up as well as the Research Center, the Writing Center, the Math Center, and a computer lab.

Books and other materials requested online are delivered to the library from the Hampden Center.  By using two delivery vehicles running continuously during library operating hours, we deliver within two to four hours of request.

Other services, including Special Collections, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Writing Program faculty offices, relocated to Aspen Hall.  The UTS computer help desk relocated to the UTS building and QuickCopy relocated to the Bookstore.

Information is provided through the through the project web page: http://library.du.edu/site/academicCommons.  During construction, we also update information on the library’s main website to reflect any changes to services or procedures.

The Math Center, along with other services from the Main Level of Penrose Library, moved to Driscoll Ballroom during the construction. The Math Center provides free, drop-in assistance for Algebra, Trigonometry, Business Calculus, and Calculus I, II, and III classes.

The Research Center, along with other services from the Main Level of Penrose Library, moved to Driscoll Ballroom during construction.  The Research Center continues to answer questions received in-person, by phone, by email, through Instant Messaging (IM) and by text, as well as providing one-hour, individual and group consultations with subject specialist librarians.  Students and faculty can make consultation appointments using the Research Consultation Request Form.

During construction, there is a computer lab available in the Driscoll Gallery, adjacent to the Ballroom.  The UTS Help Desk (303.871.4700), which provides computer and software support, is at the UTS Building at 2100 S. High Street (map).

The Writing Center, along with other services from the Main Level of Penrose Library, moved to Driscoll Ballroom during construction. The Writing Center staff meet with students by appointment and on a drop-in basis when available.

Quick Copy relocated to the DU Bookstore in Driscoll.

The new library will be called the Anderson Academic Commons.  We will no longer be called Penrose Library.  Instead, we will recognize the many contributions of the El Pomar Foundation, which was founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose, by naming the library’s collections, “The Penrose Collection” and acknowledging the collection name both in the Anderson Academic Commons and at the Hampden Center.  We will create a lovely permanent exhibit in the lower level of the Academic Commons to express appreciation to the El Pomar Foundation and to explain the important history the University of Denver shares with El Pomar and the Penrose family. 

We are an Academic Commons because we offer more than just library services.  It is an intellectual hub for the University, clustering information technology with old and new library resources and services.  Supporting research and study using print materials and digital collections, the Anderson Academic Commons will provide more space for group and quiet study, offering a centrally located facility where a range of essential academic support and library services are located for student and faculty collaboration and success.

Yes.  The current footprint of Penrose Library is about one acre.  There will be a small addition to the south side of the library that will add about 10,000 square feet to the current footprint of the library.  This addition will allow for the creation of a new loading dock area, an expanded café on the south west corner, and reading rooms on the Upper Level. 

Yes. 69% of our federal government documents are online and accessible through our online catalog. While much of this content is freely accessible from anywhere, some content is available only from on-campus. You may find that what you need to request materials in remote storage. In these cases please follow the FAQ entry for requesting books. As always, public federal documents users are able to check out documents.

Due to the closure of the Penrose Library building for renovation, books now must be returned to Penrose@Driscoll.

We are happy to announce that in addition to returning books to the Access Services Desk in the Driscoll Ballroom, you may also use our two new drive-up book drops.  One is on the southwest  side of Driscoll near the Lot E parking structure and the other is on the northwest side by Race St.

Please note that you will have to exit your vehicle to deposit books in these drops, but having them adjacent to parking areas should make returning large numbers of books much easier.

Dedicated Prayer Space relocated to Driscoll South, Suite 29.   Suite 29 (which also houses the office of the University Chaplain) is on the ground floor of Driscoll South, and is near the west entrance to the building.  The Prayer Room is open and available whenever the Driscoll Student Center is open.

Unfortunately, no; space is so limited at the temporary library.  We are sorry for the inconvenience!

DVDs are available for check-out while Penrose Library is under construction. You may request specific DVDs in storage at the Hampden Center and expect about a two-hour turnaround time.  We also have a “Grab and Go DVD Cart” with a selection for browsing and checkout.  Staff literally “grab” DVDs by the box for inclusion on the cart, resulting in a random collection of feature films, television shows, and documentaries.  The DVDs are roughly sorted, with films on one side of the cart and documentaries on the other. We swap out the DVDs every week or two, so keep checking to see what is new on the cart!

To access items at The Hampden Center, use the Request It button on the Penrose Library home page to have them brought to campus for you. Next to any item in the online catalog with a location of "Hampden Center" you will see a Request It button. Click on the button and follow the steps to make a request. Your items will be retrieved for you and brought to the Access Services desk (circulation desk). An email will be sent to you when your items are ready for pick up.

The Request It button works for all items in the online catalog. Use this service for items that are Available (not checked out) to save time searching in the stacks. Use Request It also when an item IS checked out. Penrose can request the item for you from another library using Prospector or Interlibrary Loan.

• Use the Request It button for ALL items at the new Hampden Center. We will retrieve the item and email you.
• Use the Request It button for items that are Available (not checked out) at Penrose Library. We will retrieve the item and email you.
• Use the Request It button for any item that is checked out and Penrose library will request that item for you from another library, through either Prospector or Interlibrary Loan.

If you have questions or need assistance, please ask the staff at the Access Services desk (circulation desk) or the Research Center...just Ask Us!

The Special Collections department in Penrose Library, which consists of the rare book and manuscript collection and University Archives, relocated to Aspen Hall during the renovation. Aspen Hall is located directly south of the Evans Chapel. 

A Special Collections reading room in Aspen Hall is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm but can be only be accessed by appointment. Like most other library material, archival collections must be retrieved from the Hampden Center and take about 2 hours to retrieve. Appointments can be made online at http://library.du.edu/site/popup/archivesrequest.php. 

Contact Special Collections by phone at 303.871.3428 or by email at archives@du.edu.