Colorado State University (CSU) Library is a vital academic resource for students, faculty, and staff, providing access to a vast array of materials, services, and expertise to support learning, research, and innovation. The library's mission is to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, while promoting academic excellence and community engagement. With its rich collections, cutting-edge technology, and dedicated staff, the CSU Library is an indispensable partner in the academic journey of its users.
The CSU Library's physical location is situated in the heart of the Fort Collins campus, offering a comfortable and welcoming environment for studying, collaborating, and exploring. The library's online presence is equally impressive, with a user-friendly website that provides easy access to its resources, services, and expert assistance. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a freshman student, the CSU Library is designed to help you find the resources you need to succeed, with a strong emphasis on information literacy, research support, and academic success.
Discovering Resources
The CSU Library’s collections are diverse and extensive, comprising over 1.5 million print and electronic books, 300 databases, and 70,000 journals. The library’s online catalog allows users to search for materials by keyword, title, author, or subject, and to filter results by format, language, and availability. Additionally, the library provides access to a range of digital repositories, including academic journals, conference proceedings, and institutional archives. Users can also explore the library’s special collections, which feature rare and unique materials, such as manuscripts, photographs, and oral histories.
To facilitate discovery, the CSU Library offers a variety of tools and services, including research guides, subject librarians, and interlibrary loan. Research guides are curated by expert librarians to provide an overview of key resources and research strategies for specific subjects or topics. Subject librarians are available to consult with users, provide personalized research assistance, and offer guidance on navigating the library's collections and services. Interlibrary loan enables users to request materials from other libraries, both within and outside the United States, expanding the scope of available resources.
Accessing Digital Resources
The CSU Library provides access to a wealth of digital resources, including e-books, academic databases, and streaming media. E-books can be accessed through the library’s online catalog or through specialized platforms, such as OverDrive or EBSCO. Academic databases, like JSTOR or ScienceDirect, offer comprehensive coverage of scholarly literature, while streaming media platforms, such as Kanopy or Swank, provide access to documentaries, feature films, and educational videos.
To ensure seamless access to digital resources, the CSU Library offers a range of authentication options, including single sign-on, proxy servers, and VPNs. Users can also take advantage of the library's mobile apps and browser extensions to discover and access digital resources on-the-go. For users who require assistance with digital resources, the library's technical support team is available to provide guidance and troubleshooting.
| Resource Type | Number of Titles | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| E-books | 200,000+ | Online catalog, OverDrive, EBSCO |
| Aademic databases | 300+ | Library website, database aggregators |
| Streaming media | 10,000+ | Kanopy, Swank, library website |
Supporting Research and Learning
The CSU Library is committed to supporting the research and learning needs of its users, with a range of services and programs designed to foster academic success. The library’s research support team offers expert assistance with research design, literature reviews, and citation management, while the instructional services team provides teaching and learning support, including workshops, tutorials, and course-integrated instruction.
In addition to its research and instructional services, the CSU Library offers a range of study spaces and collaboration tools to support student learning and success. The library's physical spaces are designed to be flexible and accommodating, with a variety of seating options, whiteboards, and technology-enabled collaboration areas. The library also provides access to productivity software and creative tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud, SPSS, and RStudio.
Community Engagement and Outreach
The CSU Library is deeply committed to community engagement and outreach, with a range of programs and services designed to promote academic excellence, cultural enrichment, and social responsibility. The library’s outreach team works closely with campus partners, including student organizations, academic departments, and administrative units, to develop and deliver programs that support student success, faculty research, and community engagement.
The CSU Library also participates in a range of regional and national initiatives, including the Association of Research Libraries and the Colorado Library Consortium. These partnerships enable the library to leverage resources, expertise, and best practices to enhance its services and programs, while contributing to the development of a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable academic ecosystem.
What resources are available to support research and learning at the CSU Library?
+The CSU Library offers a range of resources to support research and learning, including research guides, subject librarians, interlibrary loan, digital repositories, and academic databases. The library also provides access to productivity software, creative tools, and collaboration spaces.
How can I access digital resources through the CSU Library?
+Digital resources can be accessed through the CSU Library’s online catalog, database aggregators, or specialized platforms like OverDrive or EBSCO. Users can also take advantage of the library’s mobile apps and browser extensions to discover and access digital resources on-the-go.
What kinds of study spaces and collaboration tools are available at the CSU Library?
+The CSU Library offers a range of study spaces and collaboration tools, including flexible seating options, whiteboards, and technology-enabled collaboration areas. The library also provides access to productivity software and creative tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud, SPSS, and RStudio.
