The Auraria Library is deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment where all identities and expressions are valued and respected. With a strong focus on equity in service, we strive to create a powerful learning community within a welcoming space where all library patrons receive the support they need in order to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Inclusive Teaching
Our instruction program aims to recognize and honor students’ lived experiences, as well as asks library users to think critically about the information they encounter. Our classroom sessions focus on evaluating information and determining whose voices are privileged in different contexts, as well as the social, political, and economic impact of those gaps in representation. We also problematize the technology that organizes information and ranks results, asking participants to consider not just what is included, but also why it appeared in that way. In order to do this work effectively, our teaching team engages in continuous professional development to improve our pedagogy and question our own biases as teachers and librarians.
Learn more about our approach to teaching by visiting our Instruction Services page.
Diverse Scholarly Collections
Accessibility and Collections: in an effort to provide equal access to the Auraria Library’s eBooks, streaming videos, databases, and online journals, the Library is ensuring there is accessibility language in our electronic collections licenses. This will support and encourage publishers and vendors to make their products accessible to every Auraria student, faculty, and staff.
Books that Celebrate Diversity: The Auraria Library has a long and distinguished history of purchasing award-winning books and other materials that celebrate diversity. The Library systematically collects books that have received national and international literary acclaim, including winners of the following annual award programs: Lambda Literary Awards, Pura Belpré Awards, Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, National Jewish Book Awards, American Indian Youth Literature Awards, Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary Awards, Stonewall Book Awards, to name a few.
Collection Development is the process of selecting, purchasing, and making accessible all the resources everyone on campus needs for their classes and research. We try to make our collection as inclusive and diverse as possible to represent our community and the world. Learn more about Collection Development, or Recommend a Purchase.
Open Access is a publishing model where readers don’t have to pay for published work and anyone anywhere in the world can access it. The Library advocates for, teaches about, and supports Open Access publishing initiatives. Learn more about Open Access.
Open Educational Resources (OER) are no cost materials that support teaching, learning, and research. The Library supports and advocates using and creating OER, which helps students save significant amounts of money each semester. Learn more about OER.
Special and Digital Collections has materials that focus on the history of Auraria Campus, the gentrification of the neighborhood preceding it, the Latinx and Asian-American experiences in Colorado, and local civic reform and activism movements. Learn more about Special and Digital Collections.
Accessible Technologies and Spaces
Accessible workstations
Specialized keyboards, pointing devices, and accessibility software integrated into every computer lab.
ADA Study Room
Study room with accessible furniture, hardware, and software. Learn where ADA Study Room is located.
Assistive Technology Workroom
Assistive hardware and software brought together in a dedicated room with natural light to facilitate comfortable use.
Gender Inclusive Restroom
Accessible to all regardless of gender expression.
Special Projects
The Data to Policy Project
The Data to Policy Project empowers students as researchers and advocates through the use of open data to create better communities. Our mission is to advocate for equitable and evidence-based policies that elevate community voices and concerns and to use higher education's research infrastructure to benefit the community. Learn more about the Data to Policy Project.
Diversify Your Syllabi
Diversify Your Syllabi is a service where the library helps educators identify and incorporate a more diverse set of authors, researchers, and content into their curriculum. Learn more about Diversify Your Syllabi.
Vendor Ethics Taskforce (VET)
The Library is currently evaluating the companies and vendors who publish our research materials to ensure their practices align with CU Denver’s, MSU Denver's, and CCD’s values, including diversity and inclusion.
