The view from my office of the new residence halls is inspiring. We can’t wait to see the halls fill up with incoming students who are
just a stone’s throw away from Coe Library. If you are in Laramie this fall and winter,
take a look at how this construction project is shaping up. It is a wonderful physical
reminder of UW’s ongoing commitment to our students.
I am delighted to report that lots of students are finding Coe Library this semester.
We are seeing our highest use of study rooms in years. Our 19 study rooms are in use
by students almost every hour the library is open. We are currently seeing over 1,000
hours of study room reservations each week!
As I think about our commitment to students and how much they rely on the library,
I am reminded that Giving Day is coming up October 23rd - October 24th. I invite you
to support the UW Libraries Impact Fund this year. Your donations help us welcome students into bright and inviting study
spaces filled with collections and services that support their success at UW. Contributions
help us refresh our study rooms, whiteboards, and other critical support for student
learning. Every student at UW benefits from gifts that enhance library services and
spaces.
Add a Giving Day reminder to your calendar
The Libraries also support faculty research, and it was a pleasure to co-sponsor the
recent UW Humanities Summit. This event brought leaders from major national funding and research agencies (such
as the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the State Department,
and the National Humanities Center) to campus and also highlighted the amazing Humanities
work happening right here in Wyoming. Libraries are often called the “research lab”
of the Humanities, and we are committed to supporting the work of our faculty members
and students studying the Humanities.
Cass Kvenild, Dean of Libraries
Finally, I hope you will join us on October 23rd at 5 p.m. for an event honoring late UW creative writing professor Brad
Watson. Those who remember Brad know that his thoughtful approach to writing and gentle
style of mentoring yielded remarkable results in his own work and that of his students.
We will host Watson’s friend Joy Williams, along with three of his students for a
discussion and readings in Coe Library. This event will also be streamed live via WyoCast for those who cannot make the trip to Laramie.
As the nights get longer and the evenings cooler, I send you wishes for cozy nights
indoors reading. I know that’s what I’ll be doing!
See you in the stacks,
Cass Kvenild
Dean of Libraries