Anderson Academic Commons: DU's New Place to Be

Last afternoon, I was lucky enough to attend a tour of DU’s newly renovated library, the Anderson Academic Commons. Coordinated especially for students and faculty of Arts, Humanities  and Social Sciences at DU and led by research librarian Peggy Keeran, this tour revealed all three levels of the new library. I enjoyed this tour because it allowed me to learn far more about the library than I would have exploring it on my own. The entire building is impressive, and after seeing it in its entirety, I think it’s safe to say that what our new library offers was well worth the two years of lacking one altogether.

The primary aspect of Anderson Academic Commons that caught my attention was the sheer amount of study spaces available to students. On all three levels of the library, there is a combination of study rooms (there are a total of 32 throughout), tables of all sizes, booths, and comfortable chairs. Also scattered throughout are study pods with privacy screens as well as classic study carrels. Many of the study spaces are window-walled, allowing an abundance of natural light. The furniture is a combination of newly purchased furniture and refurbished pieces from Penrose Library, including the famous “egg chair.” Bright and neutral colors were utilized in order to avoid a library with exclusively orange walls, as were present in Penrose, so that a more calming atmosphere could be created.

Photo courtesy of alumni.du.edu

The “stacks,” as they are often referred to, are located on the bottom floor of Anderson Academic Commons. There are eight miles of stacks, housing all of the books that were first exported upon the temporary closure of Penrose and brought back for the opening of the new library. Due to the incomprehensible number of books, library employees were still shelving them as we toured, and Keeran estimated that it will likely take even more time for all books to be placed. Expecting traditional shelving, I was surprised to see the innovative compact shelving system, meant to save space. There are levers on each end of the shelves; one simply turns them to separate the shelves should one need access to a particular shelf. Keeran stressed the importance of taking a look down the stacks before turning the lever, especially when compressing shelves, so that no one gets crushed!

The main floor is home to ZeBi, a cafe that serves sandwiches, salads, coffee beverages, smoothies, and tea. ZeBi’s fare is similar to what one would find at Jazzman’s, but with a few more meal options. After standing near the cafe for a few short minutes, it became apparent that macaroni and cheese is the go-to meal for hungry DU students studying at Anderson Academic Commons. Food and drink are permitted throughout the library, with the exception of room housing special collections and rare books, located on the bottom floor.

Next to ZeBi is a section of periodicals, which Keeran pointed out as ones meant for enjoyment rather than academic research (they included Elle, Ms., Cook’s Illustrated, and Radical Philosophy, to name but a few). Most of the academic periodicals and journals can be found online. In the center of the main floor is a large number of bookshelves that hold the latest book releases, “latest” meaning from the past six months. Around them are a selection of comfortable chairs that allow patrons to sample these new releases.

On the main floor, we were also introduced to the gender-neutral restrooms. These are not merely located on the main floor, however;  most of the restrooms throughout Anderson Academic Commons on all three levels are gender-neutral, in keeping with DU’s mission statement of inclusive excellence. In my opinion, this only added to the welcoming feel of the new library.

Above the main floor is the Perched Classroom, overlooking seemingly everything. A unique and innovative centerpiece, it is designed primarily for seminars held in the library. After seeing this window-filled room, most students will undoubtedly wish they had a class there!

Anderson Academic Commons will surely prove to be a remarkable space for all DU students, whether they are doing research, studying, dining, or simply hanging out.

Have you been to the newly renovated library yet? What’s your favorite aspect of it? Sound off below!