CU Traditions: Norlin Library

Heading to the library to study is a tradition for most college students. Here at CU-Boulder, that means a trip to Norlin Library, or perhaps to one of the four branch libraries: William M. White Business Library; Jerry Crail Johnson Earth Sciences and Map Library; L.H. Gemmill Engineering, Mathematics and Physics Library; and the Howard B. Waltz Music Library.

The library is about much more than books, but since we're on the topic, if you're looking for a book, you're in the right place. The University Libraries system on campus is the largest library collection in the Rocky Mountain region - home to more than 6.6 million print volumes, and more than 14 million books, ebooks, periodicals, government publications, audio-visual materials, microforms, maps, manuscripts and other materials.

Here are some other highlights of your libraries:

Research: As a CU-Boulder student, you have access to your own librarian. You might have to share, but Norlin has experts on more than 60 subject fields ready to assist you with your research needs. You can IM, email, text and tweet librarians (ask us), or set up personal one-on-one research consultations.

Collections: In addition to the Norlin stacks, periodicals, science, Asian studies and art and architecture collections, Norlin library houses the American Music Research Center (a rare music repository), Special Collections and Archives (collection areas include Western Americana, Environmentalism and Peace and Justice) and the Government Information Library (your gateway to U.S Government, state and international government publications).

Norlin Commons: Norlin Commons was created so students, faculty and staff would have access to technology, IT support, writing help and research assistance in one space. Oh, and don't forget about the Laughing Goat Coffeehouse. The Commons has OIT advisors and the free Writing Center (consultants trained in writing pedagogy on hand to work with campus writers from across disciplines and skill levels). Norlin Commons.

Special Collections and Archives exhibits: Special Collections and Archives at CU-Boulder houses rare books, artwork and primary source materials for undergraduate and graduate research and often has a free, public exhibit on display. The general rare book collection is strongest in Western literature while the special subject collections allow us to welcome classes and researchers involved in both the humanities and the sciences. The current exhibit in the reading room is Global War: Reflectioins on a Decade of Conflict, 1935-1945.