UW Libraries Through the Years
The University of Wyoming Libraries have stood as a cornerstone of scholarship and public service within the state’s only land-grant university for decades. Established alongside the founding of the University in 1887, the Libraries began as a small collection of books housed within the University Building, a building known today as Old Main.
By the early twentieth century, the University recognized the need for a dedicated library building. A new three-story Library Building opened its doors in 1923, marking a new era for academic resources on campus. The Libraries' collections continued to grow throughout the 1950s, expanding to encompass not only traditional print materials but also archives, government documents, and more. The completion of Coe Library in 1958, followed by significant expansions over the years, reflected a broader transformation in the role of libraries in higher education.
As technological advancements ushered in digital innovation and connectivity, the University of Wyoming Libraries embraced these changes through the development of robust electronic collections, open-access initiatives, and partnerships that extended the reach of Wyoming scholarship across the state and beyond.
Today, the University of Wyoming Libraries encompass not only Coe Library but also branches such as the Brinkerhoff Geology Library and the Rocky Mountain Herbarium. Together, they uphold a mission rooted in access, discovery, and knowledge. What began as a small reading room on the frontier has emerged as a modern research ecosystem, one that honors its history while continually adapting to the ever-changing landscape of information and learning.
