History and Information

• James A. Michener Library

  James A. Michener Library, named for the Pulitzer Prize winning author, is the University of Northern Colorado's main library. Mr. Michener attended Colorado State College of Education, now the University of Northern Colorado, from 1936-1937, and was a Social Science educator at the Training School and at the College from 1936-1941.

  Michener Library's collections include approximately 1.5 million items in book, periodical, government document, audio-visual, and microform formats. The Library also houses the James A. Michener Special Collection and the Mari Michener Art Gallery.

• Howard M. Skinner Music Library

  The Howard M. Skinner Music Library is a branch library dedicated to the support of the programs of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, especially the School of Music and the Dance and Musical Theatre programs of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance. The library has the second-largest music collection in Colorado, comprising over 40,000 recordings, 75,000 scores, and almost 100,000 books. It also holds recordings and materials from the past 60 years of UNC’s performing groups.

  The Skinner Library was founded in Frasier Hall and moved to its own new building in October 1997 to allow more room for expansion and better study opportunities for students. It was named for Dr. Howard M. Skinner, former Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts and President of the University, in 2005 in honor of his many years of dedication to UNC and the Greeley music community.