The expansion of William Robertson Coe Library completed in 2009 transformed the building into the Information, Library, and Learning Center (ILLC), vastly updating both space and services.[1][2] The four‑story addition relocated the main entrance to the east side and added nearly 93,000 square feet of space, including expanded electronic classrooms, large meeting rooms, more study rooms, and extensive collaborative areas. The expansion also brought back the historic Hebard Collection from the American Heritage Center, establishing the core of the newly formed Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections in Coe Library and reinforcing the Libraries’ commitment to preserving Wyoming’s documentary heritage.
During the construction period in 2009, the Libraries migrated their catalog from the Voyager integrated library system to the Millennium system with Encore discovery services, improving search and discovery across physical and digital collections. In 2010, the Libraries joined the Global Plants Initiative (GPI) by beginning the digitization of plant specimens from the Rocky Mountain Herbarium, making these scientific assets globally accessible. 2011 saw the dedication of the Alma Doke McMurry Reading Room, serving as a reflective study space.[3]
Leadership during this period played a pivotal role in shaping the Libraries’ evolving mission. Maggie Farrell, who had been Dean of Libraries since 2002, guided the institution through the renovation and expansion and helped position the Libraries as a research-oriented partner for teaching and scholarship. Under her leadership, the Libraries developed plans to add tens of thousands of books annually and significantly increase access to electronic resources.
The 2010s were marked by substantial growth in digital infrastructure, scholarly services, and statewide access initiatives. The Libraries invested in electronic journals, databases, and e-books to support research needs and extended access through consortial partnerships such as Prospector and WYLD, enabling borrowing and resource sharing across institutions and throughout Wyoming. Participation in regional networks improved efficiency and expanded access to materials beyond the University’s own holdings. By this time, use of electronic resources outpaced print circulation, reflecting broader national trends in academic research.
In 2012, the University of Wyoming Libraries achieved membership in the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), a consortium of research libraries that enhanced collaborative collection development, interlibrary loan, and digital initiatives.[4][5] Farrell described this milestone as validation of the Libraries’ evolution from a strong undergraduate library to a research library supporting both teaching and faculty research. In 2014, the Libraries launched the Wyoming Scholarly Repository (WySR), a platform for preserving and providing access to University of Wyoming faculty publications and scholarly output. As user needs shifted, service points were consolidated: in 2015, the Coe Research Help Desk was merged into a central Help Desk at the circulation area, and in 2016, the Media Help Desk was likewise integrated.
In 2016, Dr. Ivan Gaetz was appointed Dean of UW Libraries, bringing extensive experience in academic library leadership. Over the next several years, Dean Gaetz led a library-wide reorganization to strengthen collection strategies, enhance student and faculty services, and support emerging directions in scholarly communication. His tenure included overseeing the launch of the University of Wyoming Press, the Libraries’ first university press, and securing the largest known private donation in support of UW Libraries, creating the Carol J. McMurry Librarian for Excellence position. Under Gaetz’s leadership, the Libraries also hosted nationally recognized authors and strengthened community engagement by bringing literary figures such as Ann Patchett, Timothy Egan, and Jesmyn Ward to campus, enriching the intellectual life of the University and the wider region.[6]
A state-of-the-art makerspace opened inside Coe Library in 2017, named Coe Student Innovation Center, granting community access to training, workshops, and equipment.[7] In 2019, UW received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to digitize Wyoming newspapers as part of the state’s participation in the National Digital Newspaper Program. Throughout the project, the UW Libraries team has digitized and uploaded more than 200,000 pages to the online Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection.[8][9]
The early 2020s tested the Libraries’ resilience and adaptability in the face of global challenges. In response to an unprecedented need for distance learning, the Libraries quickly expanded virtual research consultations, remote instruction, and online access to digital collections to ensure continuity of service. These shifts accelerated hybrid service models that remain integral to library operations, helping bridge physical and digital environments for learners and researchers. As part of efforts to strengthen digital collections, the Libraries participated in statewide and national digitization partnerships, including work with the Internet Archive and the Western Regional Storage Trust (WEST) to preserve and provide online access to journal holdings.[10]
More recent leadership transitions have continued to position the Libraries for future growth. As of 2024, Cass Kvenild serves as Dean of UW Libraries, guiding organizational strategy and continuing efforts to strengthen research support, digital scholarship, and inclusive services across campus. In 2025, the Libraries co‑hosted the first‐ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in partnership with the Wyoming State Library and Wyoming State Archives, exploring the role of AI in libraries and archives. In that same year, UW Libraries implemented Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags across physical collections to improve the checkout and return process and create a more efficient library experience.[11]
Throughout this era, Coe Library’s transformation reflects a broader reimagining of academic libraries in the twenty‑first century: hybrid spaces that support student success, digital preservation, community engagement, and expanded global access to unique scholarly and cultural resources. The Libraries continues to adapt and evolve as a reflection of the commitment to the University's mission of academic excellence.
Maggie Farrell
Dean of Libraries
2002 - 2015
Ivan Gaetz
Dean of Libraries
2016 - 2023
Cass Kvenild
Dean of Libraries
2024 - Present
