The Auraria Library Special and Digital Collections Department encompasses collections of unique and special materials including manuscripts, audiovisual objects, photographs, rare books, maps and urban plans, and ephemera.

We maintain dozens of collections relating to various historical events during the 20th century, many of which focus on Denver and Aurarian history. Our collections span a variety of subjects and areas of interest, including: Hispanic American history; Asian American history, specifically Japanese American internment and civil rights; women's rights and activism; urban renewal in the greater Denver area; civics; and popular 20th century American fiction, with an emphasis on science fiction pulp novels. 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 Department would like to partner with student groups and community members with diverse backgrounds to assist in the creation of future collections with an intention towards inclusivity.

Due to the goal of preserving these materials for long-term use, Special Collections materials are only available for access in the Reading Room or through our Digital Collections.

Digital Auraria allows you to search collections of digitized historical and scholarly materials, including photographs, manuscript collections, rare books, and audiovisual material.