The Arthur Lakes Library is a specialized technical library that supports the educational and research goals of the Colorado School of Mines and also serves as a regional center for information in engineering and associated engineering and science fields. The Library collection numbers more than 145,000 volumes, 2,000 serial and journal titles, 260,000 government publications, 400,000 microforms, and 175,000 map sheets.

The Library is a selective U.S. Government depository library and a partial depository for Colorado state publications.

The Library was named for Arthur Lakes, 1844-1917, the first Professor of Geology at CSM in 1880. Lakes was a pioneer in Colorado earth sciences and mineral exploration. Several paintings by Lakes are displayed near the main entrance of the Library.

The Arthur Lakes Library is a member of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries, which supports the Library's online catalog.

The Frank C. Allison collection of gold and silver specimens is on permanent exhibit near the front entrance of the Library. The collection was presented to the School in 1937 by the Boettcher family.

Reference assistance is provided by Library staff in the Reference section and in the Government Publications and Map Room sections. Reference librarians are available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, some weekday nights, Saturdays, and by appointment.

Subject specific guides and "how to" user guides are available from the Reference web pages, and in Reference, Government Publications and the Map Room.

Circulation staff check out all materials from the Library and will assist users during all hours the Library is open. The Circulation section maintains the Reserves and circulating thesis collections.

Information Delivery Services enables CSM students and faculty to obtain information that is not available in the CSM Library collection. Document Delivery also provides photocopy services for Library users and maintains the photocopy equipment in the Library.

The Collection Management section is responsible for ordering, cataloging and processing all materials for the collection. The Preservation unit receives copies of all CSM theses.

The Library supports numerous public computers, located in the Reference Room and in other parts of the Library for patron information needs. Printing is available from these computers.  Pick up print jobs at the Circulation Desk.

The PC Lab on the main level of the Library is maintained by the CSM Computing Center for student and faculty use. Students must have an account with the Computing Center in order to use the machines. One of the terminals is ADA configured. Additional lab systems are available in several of the Library's study rooms (these rooms can be reserved at the Circulation Desk).  Lab resources include a scanner and printer; pick up print jobs at the Circulation Desk..

Photocopy machines are located on the main level (behind the Circulation desk). There are six photocopy machines and a change machine located on the main floor of the Library. Print costs are .10 per page (cash) and .06 per page (copy card). Five of these copiers accept the Blastercard or Guest card and one copier takes cash or the old copy card. The copy cost is 10 cents per sheet and the machines will accept coins or copy cards. Card dispensers/regenerators are located behind the Circulation desk.

Microfilm/fiche reader/printers are located on the main level in the computer area in the northwest corner and in the Government Publications section. Printouts are .15 per page from these machines . The microfiche printers on level 2 accept the Blastercard or Guest card. The microfiche printer in Government Publications takes cash or the old copy card. One of the units on the main level is ADA configured.

Rest rooms and drinking fountains are located on the west side of the Library on the main level (third level) and on the lower level on the east and west sides. Soda vending machines and a public pay phone are also located in the southwest corner of the main level (third level). Please contact the Library staff with any questions, concerns, or problems you have while using the Library facilities.