Spotted in Special Collections: A Poem About A Cannibal

Special and Digital Collections Unit

Do you know the story of the “Colorado Cannibal”?

Alferd Packer was a post-Civil War miner and prospector who, lured to Western Colorado by news of a gold strike, headed in February 1874 into the mountains near Breckenridge with five other men. Only one man came out alive.

Two months later, Packer resurfaced with a suspicious amount of cash, some weapons that weren’t his, and a shifty story. He first…

Book cover with an abstract, orange and black line drawing of a face beside the title text: "PACKER, THE CANNIBAL and other Story Poems.

Hispanic American Newspapers, 1808-1980

Collection Development and Strategies Department

Featured Database: Hispanic American Newspapers, 1808-1980

You can use databases to easily find organized collections of articles, journals, news, streaming videos, primary sources, data, and more!  

What’s in it? …

A coffee cup and glasses rest on a wooden table beside a newspaper headline "Últimas noticias." Text above reads "Hispanic American Newspapers."

Project Muse

Collection Development and Strategies Department

Featured Database: Project Muse

You can use databases to easily find organized collections of articles, journals, news, streaming videos, primary sources, data, and more!  

  • This month, we highlight one of our favorite databases committed to open access research: Project Muse.

What’s in it? 

  • Project Muse provides…

Project Muse banner featuring Greek-style figures in black dresses dancing and playing instruments on an orange background. Text reads 'Featured Database'.

New Library Exhibit Highlights Unsung Mathematician

Library Newsroom

Dr. Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician who made key contributions to the development of modern GPS technology, is the subject of a new Auraria Library traveling exhibition at the top of the stairwell on the northwest side of the library’s 2nd floor. 

The four giant panels and video display that comprise the exhibition tell the compelling story of Dr. West’s life, highlighting her personal and professional accomplishments. She was born in 1930 to a sharecropping…

Exhibit honoring Dr. Gladys B. West, featuring biography, a book titled "Hidden Figures," and a colorful geoid model. The tone is informative and celebratory.

New Badge-Required Hours for the Auraria Library

Library Newsroom

Starting Oct. 1, 2025, the Auraria Library will require users to swipe campus ID badges to enter the library from 8–10 a.m. Monday–Friday and from 5–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday. 

Those without campus ID badges may continue to enter the library during 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday hours. Sundays will continue to be ID badge access-only during the Library’s 9 a.m.–5 p.m. operating hours.

Students, faculty, or staff members who do not have their IDs may contact the Ask Us Desk at 303…

Modern library exterior with glass facade and bold red accents labeled "Auraria Library." Sunny day with stairs and sunflowers leading to entrance.