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Anderson Academic Commons

Read all the things you can take advantage of inside the Anderson Academic Commons.

Anderson Academic Commons

40 Things to Love

What’s to love about the Anderson Academic Commons?

  1. Nearly eight miles of books drawn from the complete Penrose Collection, including nearly all the books published within the last 30 years, the highest circulating books, and books that have significant visual imagery
We think you'll love the natural light and ample space inside the Anderson Academic Commons.
  1. Quick delivery of books stored off site at the Hampden Center, which you also can visit by appointment
  2. 32 group study rooms, soundproofed, and equipped with technology and floor-to-ceiling windows, plus additional group study spaces such as booths and meeting rooms
  3. Deep quiet, courtesy acoustically controlled rooms designed to accommodate silent study time
  4. Reservable, quarter-long study space that allows students to request a carrel and locker for long-term projects
  5. Abundant natural light from the Frederic C. and Jane M. Hamilton Atrium, walls of windows and interior glass walls.
Find all the books you need inside the Anderson Academic Commons.
  1. New furniture, from upright chairs to cozy booths to DU alumnus Daniel Strawn’s custom-built tables
  2. About 4,000 pieces of cleaned, repaired furniture from Penrose Library, including white bubble chairs, and orange and white round carrels, and the famous egg chairs
  3. The Fogel Special Collections Reading Room, where you may review rare and historic reading, photographic and textile materials
  4. All the University’s academic support units under one roof
  5. The Family Study Room, which includes children’s furniture, toys, books, puzzles and a TV with earphones
  6. The Front Porch Café, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
  7. Online room scheduling, accessible from your smartphone and the library’s website
  8. Our newest service: the Digital Media Center, which helps you create and edit digital images, videos, audio and more
  9. The latest periodicals, on display near the entrance
  10. 138 computers (PCs and Macs)—40 for research instruction, 80 for general use, 12 in the Digital Media Center and two reference-guide PCs on each floor
  11. 1,864 seats with access to power so you’ll always stay charged and connected
  12. Sustainable practices on display, via book shelves recycled from Penrose Library, water bottle fillers, LEED consultation, energy-saving lights, sensor-controlled water faucets and much more
  13. Two fireplaces to keep you cozy during deep study sessions
You'll getting stunning views of campus, thanks to the many new windows inside the Anderson Academic Commons
  1. Vibrant and welcoming colors in the Commons’ furniture fabrics, carpets and walls
  2. A central connecting place for the entire DU community
  3. A faculty-only reading room, which provides a much-needed haven for instructors, overlooking the Carnegie Green
  4. Founder John Evans’ vision of a better educated Denver community brought to life
  5. Exhibits that showcase the library’s collections, research, and the DU community’s creative work
  6. Special event space, which will host author lectures, celebrations of students’ creative work and more
  7. Open reading areas, where students can choose among study tables, carrels, booths and soft seating
  8. Variety at your fingertips—read, snack, study, create, learn, tutor, socialize and admire
  9. Egg chairs to remind anyone who knew Penrose Library that its spirit lives on here
  10. Consistent hours, open from early morning Sunday through Friday night, with slightly reduced hours on weekends
The Loft will be a major multimedia interactive centerpiece of the Anderson Academic Commons.
  1. More help from the Writing Center, whose staff of trained writers, communicators and teachers offer consultation
  2. A chance to connect with alumni, who frequently borrow library materials
  3. A made-over Math Center, where staff helps students with assignments on a drop-in basis
  4. An increase in visitors, with nearly 1 million visitors expected within its opening year
  5. Crossley Research Center, which equips visitors with help in critical thinking, skills navigating the vast array of materials available and presenting a thoughtful, professional project
  6. Incredible views of the campus at large, the Front Range and the majestic Rocky Mountains
  7. The Loft, a media-ready learning space that hangs between the atrium and the main floor
  8. Support staff to help you effectively use the building’s technology, conduct research, write, solve math problems, and incorporate digital media into projects
  9. New library acquisitions, from the latest book releases to historical pieces new to our Special Collections

  10. An homage to tradition, with the return of the Gottesfeld Room, the Chan classroom and signs bearing the names of donors who made spaces possible
  11. Friendly, familiar librarians ready to assist you