Research Special & Unique Collections
The Auraria Library Special and Digital Collections Unit encompasses collections of unique and special materials including manuscripts, audiovisual objects, small manuscripts, photographs, rare books, maps and urban plans, and ephemera.
In an effort to represent the diverse backgrounds of our student body, we have unique collections in Hispanic American history; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPI) history; and Women's and Gender Studies. We also maintain dozens of collections relating to various historical events during the 20th century, many of which focus on Denver and Aurarian history. You can find an in-progress list of our archival and book collections in our Collections and Finding Aids guide.
The Special and Digital Collections Unit would like to partner with student groups and community members with diverse backgrounds to assist in the creation of future collections with an eye towards inclusivity.
Due to the goal of preserving these materials for long-term use, Special Collections materials are only available for view in the Reading Room or through our Digital Collections.
The Auraria Library Digital Collections allows you to search collections of digitized historical and scholarly materials, including photographs, manuscript collections, rare books, and audiovisual material.
Need Help Accessing Resources?
If you have any Special Collections-related research questions, please contact us and someone will respond within 48 hours Monday through Friday.
Some materials are also available online in our Digital Collections.
Digital Collections
Our Digital Collections allows you to research our special collections anytime from anywhere, and it's always free to all visitors.
The Auraria Digital Collections (ADC) serves as the holistic digital repository for the three schools that make up Auraria Campus, as well as the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) and Auraria Library itself.
ADC contains dozens of collections and thousands of items including:
- Adolph Roederer Collection
- Auraria History Collection
- Auraria Library History
- Bill Trimble Collection
Camp Amache Collections
- Coors Boycott and Strike Support Coalition Records Collection
- Denver JACL Bulletin
- Denver Urban Environment
- Dr. Thomas J. Noel Collection
- Duncan-Stoddard Letters
- Gaston Save Collection
- Gay and Lesbian Publications
- Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy
- Golda Meir House
- Hispanic Historic Experience in Colorado
- Special Collection's Finding Aids and Container Lists
- The Revolution
- West Side Recorder
Browse Our Digital Collections
Start your search now of digitized historical and scholarly materials, including photographs, manuscript collections, rare books, and audiovisual materials. For information on how to search or browse our repository, please reference our Digital Collections research guide.
Special Collections Reading Room
The Auraria Library Special Collections Reading Room is a working and research space for viewing unique materials in our collections. The Reading Room is a quiet research environment where you can find expert librarians and access equipment to handle our rare books and archival collections.
Reading Room Guidelines
- Reserved for use of Special Collections materials only
- Food & drink-free area
- Complete list of Reading Room guidelines
Find this Space
Use the New Interactive Floor Maps to view where the Reading Room is located in the Library.
Schedule a Visit to Special Collections
To view Special Collections materials, please schedule an appointment for the reading room using the Research Consultation Form or email Special Collections directly. Please inform Special Collections staff what materials or topics you would like to view ahead of time so that we can have them ready for you prior to your appointment. Currently, we do not accommodate classroom visits but hope to do so in the future.
