Stepping onto the campus of Colorado School of Mines, you'll quickly discover a place that feels like the very heart of academic life, and that, is that, the Arthur Lakes Library. This isn't just a place for quiet study; it's a dynamic center, very much dedicated to helping students, faculty, and researchers truly thrive. From its warm welcome to its wide array of helpful services, the library makes sure everyone finds what they need to succeed in their academic pursuits, and then some.
For anyone connected with the Colorado School of Mines, or even those just visiting Golden, Colorado, the Arthur Lakes Library is a rather important spot. It is located at 1500 Illinois Street, right there in Golden, CO. This building serves as a crucial resource, offering so many tools and opportunities for learning, teaching, and exploring new ideas. It's a place that fosters growth and discovery for the entire Mines community, and it's quite something to see.
The library, you know, has a long-standing commitment to providing innovative services and facilities. It works hard to give people access to knowledge and to keep important information safe for future use. This dedication helps enhance the overall learning, teaching, and research efforts at the Colorado School of Mines, which is, honestly, a big part of what makes the school so special. It's a place that really supports everyone.
Table of Contents
- Welcome to Arthur Lakes Library
- A Central Spot for Learning and Research
- Finding Your Perfect Study Space
- Accessing Resources and Assistance
- More Than Just Books
- Visiting the Library
- Frequently Asked Questions about Arthur Lakes Library
- Connect with Your Library
Welcome to Arthur Lakes Library
Hello there, and welcome, you know, to the Arthur Lakes Library at the Colorado School of Mines. Someone who joined Mines in August of 2024 shared how truly impressed they were by the library, along with the museum, the campus, and, like, all the students, staff, and faculty. It really speaks to the positive atmosphere and the quality of the resources available here. It is, basically, a great place.
A Central Spot for Learning and Research
The Arthur Lakes Library stands as an important resource hub for everyone at the prestigious Colorado School of Mines. This includes students, of course, but also faculty members and researchers, you know. It's a place that really helps support the academic process, making sure that people have the information they need to do their best work. It is, quite simply, an academic library that is affiliated with the Colorado School of Mines, and it's a vital part of the campus community.
Innovative Services and Facilities
The library is always working to develop new and helpful services and facilities. This means they are constantly thinking about how to provide better access to knowledge and how to keep that knowledge safe for the future. Their goal is to improve the learning, teaching, and research experiences for everyone at Colorado School of Mines, which is, in a way, a continuous effort. They are always trying to make things better, you see.
Supporting the Mines Community
The Arthur Lakes Library is deeply committed to supporting the information needs of the Mines community and all its users. It works to make sure that all members of the Mines community have their needs met fairly. This includes reviewing requests for spaces like the Boettcher Room, making sure that access is managed well. It is, therefore, a place that thinks about everyone.
Finding Your Perfect Study Space
With the Arthur Lakes Library located right in the middle of campus, you can, you know, be pretty sure to find just the right spot to study. Whether you like to work on your own or with a group of friends, there are options for you. It's a place that understands different study styles, which is, like, really helpful for students trying to focus. You can always find a quiet corner or a lively group area.
Reserving a Spot
The Arthur Lakes Library has a good number of reservable study rooms. There are 11 of these rooms available, actually. This includes 7 smaller study rooms, 3 small rooms just for graduate students, and 1 larger study room. Most of these study rooms come with a whiteboard, which is handy, and a lab computer, so you're all set up. You can use their online tool to book study rooms in the library, making it pretty easy to secure your space.
The Boettcher Room Experience
To make sure that all the needs of the Mines community are served fairly, the library takes requests for the Boettcher Room seriously. You just need to complete a request form and agree to the Boettcher Room policy. This process helps manage access to this particular space, ensuring it's used in a way that benefits everyone. It's a thoughtful way to handle shared resources, honestly.
Accessing Resources and Assistance
The library offers many ways to get the information you need. It's not just about what's on the shelves; it's about connecting you with a whole world of knowledge. They have systems in place to help you find things, borrow materials, and even print what you need. It's a very helpful place for research, you know.
Library Guides and Research Help
The Arthur Lakes Library offers library guides to help you with your research. These include research assistance, subject guides, course guides, and other useful resources. These are all put together by the friendly librarians, which is, you know, a nice touch. They are there to help you navigate information and find what you're looking for, making research a bit less daunting.
Borrowing and Public Access
The library is open to the public, which is a good thing to know. Public access computers are available for you to search and get into the library collections while you are there. If you are an alumni living nearby, memberships are available for you to borrow materials. Your library privileges are for you alone, and library materials can only be checked out by you with a valid photo ID, student ID, or library card. Users may, you know, designate another person to check out materials, but there are specific rules for that.
OrePrint Services
For Mines students, faculty, and staff, OrePrint services are available, though a MultiPass is required. You can print from a lab computer or your own personal device using OrePrint. There is a cost for black and white printing, as you might expect. It's a convenient way to get your documents printed right there at the library, which is, basically, a great convenience for busy people.
More Than Just Books
The Arthur Lakes Library is for more than just studying and checking out books. It's a place where you can find support and even some fun activities. It truly goes beyond the traditional idea of a library, offering things that help with well-being and unique learning opportunities. It's a place that really cares about the whole person, you know.
Therapy Dog Programs
One of the library’s best, and most popular, events is the regular series of therapy dog programs. These programs are designed to help Orediggers manage stress in a fun and casual way. It’s a wonderful idea, really, offering a chance to relax and connect with some furry friends. It shows that the library understands the pressures of academic life and tries to offer practical ways to cope, which is, actually, pretty cool.
Special Collections and Archives
The Russell L. & Lyn Wood Mining History Archive, for instance, was started in 1995 thanks to generous donations. This archive helps tell the story of mining through technology, resources, and people. It’s a very special collection that preserves important historical information, offering a deep look into the past. It’s a treasure for anyone interested in the history of mining, honestly.
AMS Learning Center
The AMS Learning Center, located inside the Arthur Lakes Library, is available to all Colorado School of Mines undergraduate students. This center provides tutorial assistance, which is, like, really helpful for students who need a bit of extra support with their coursework. It’s another way the library supports academic success, making sure students have access to the help they need to understand tough subjects.
Visiting the Library
Planning a visit to the Arthur Lakes Library is pretty straightforward. Knowing the hours and how to get there can make your trip much smoother. The library tries to be as accessible as possible for everyone, which is, you know, a very good thing. It's a welcoming place for all members of the community.
Opening Hours and Closures
The library has specific summer hours, and it will be closed on every Sunday from July 6th through August 10th. For all the full details, you can see the hours page. It’s a good idea to check the library calendars for opening hours before you plan your visit, just to be sure. This way, you won't show up when it's closed, which is, obviously, a good plan.
Accessible Entry Points
The library has an accessible entrance, which is located on the west side of the building, on Maple Street. You can find this on a map, too. If you need more information about accessible services, you can simply contact them. They are there to help make sure everyone can use the library comfortably, which is, essentially, what a good library does.
Getting Here
The Arthur Lakes Library is located at 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO. You can find maps and directions on the Mines website. The library is also near other campus spots like the athletics facilities, the bookstore, and the Museum of Earth Science. It’s a pretty central location on campus, making it easy to get to, you know, from almost anywhere on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arthur Lakes Library
Here are some common questions people have about the Arthur Lakes Library:
How do I check out books from Arthur Lakes Library?
To check out materials, you need a valid photo ID, student ID, or library card. Your library privileges are just for you, and materials can only be checked out by you. You can, however, allow another person to check out items for you, but you need to arrange that with the library first. Before requesting materials from other libraries, it's a good idea to search the Arthur Lakes Library collections in their catalog first, just to see if they have it.
What kind of support does Arthur Lakes Library offer for research?
The library offers a lot of help for research. They have library guides that include research assistance, subject guides, and course guides. These are put together by the librarians to help you find useful resources. The library also has an online catalog where you can search their collections. It's a really comprehensive system for getting research done, you know.
Can the public use the Arthur Lakes Library?
Yes, the library is open to the public. You can use public access computers inside the library to search and access their collections. If you are an alumni living in the area, you can get a membership to borrow materials. It’s a community resource, basically, for everyone who needs it.
Connect with Your Library
The Arthur Lakes Library is truly a central part of the Colorado School of Mines experience, offering so much more than just books. It’s a place for learning, for discovery, and for finding support, too. We invite you to explore all the wonderful resources and services available. Learn more about Arthur Lakes Library on our site, and to see their full range of offerings, you can visit their main page here. We think you'll find it a really valuable place.
