Thanks to The Denver Post

Major, major changes are coming to  the University of Denver’s Penrose Library…they’re getting rid of the books!

Wait…is it really that shocking?

Like most libraries, Penrose has been increasing the digital content offered in the catalog. Today, the library’s customers have access to 1.7 million digital links — 686,442 of which lead to electronic books that can be checked out to computers or readers, such as the iPad, Kindle or Nook.”

To contend with the digital revolution UD plans to transform the library into what they call the “Academic Commons.” The renovation, which is scheduled to be finished in December of 2012, will include expanded seating, support for multimedia software, an increased amount of outlets, among other things.

While some have been upset at the decision, the university has defended its plans.

We are not alone in this trend of increasing central campus space for study, services and student learning and decreasing central campus space for legacy collections.”

Will this become a model for other universities?

This isn’t the first post we’ve done on the downfall of books. Take a look at “Bye Bye Bookstores?“