DU Library Renovation Stirs Up Dust, Controversy

DENVER (CBS4)- The renovation at the University of Denver Penrose Library is stirring up not only dust, but controversy. Students and faculty are upset with the decision to take 80 percent of the books off the shelves.

Those books will be placed in remote storage to open up more space for gathering spots.

"We need these resources. A lot of graduate students are already upset because they need these books," said DU Freshman Akira Armbrust.

DU's library staff said just 20 percent of the books see 80 percent of the usage.

"For instance, this book published in 2006 will come back," said DU Dean Nancy Allen.

DU staff said any stored books can be quickly retrieved by request.

"We are not getting rid of any of the books. The books are obviously not being destroyed. They're going to be stored and I should point out this is not new," said Allen.

Other universities, like the University of Colorado in Boulder, also store library books off campus.

"I would rather there be a bright orange library on the inside that was built from the '60s than a library that looks really nice that doesn't have any books in it," said Armbrust

After the student backlash, DU's Provost said the 80-20 ratio is open to discussion and could change.