Exterior of Coe Library building.

William Robertson Coe Library

William Robertson Coe Library opened in 1957 as the main library for the University of Wyoming. A separate history of Coe Libary is coming soon. It has subsequently had two major additions, in 1978 and 2009 making it two and a half times the size of the original building and the largest library in the state.

Coe Library is located between the Wyoming Union and Ivinson Street. The entrance is on the north side of the building, across the walkway from the Wyoming Union. See our Maps + Locations for detailed information on UW Libraries branch and item locations. 


Services

Coe Library offers several services for students, faculty, staff, and the community including:

The Help Desk, near the main entrance, checks out library materials, study rooms, laptops and iPads, and course reserves (level 2 east) as well as answers research questions. Librarians provide support to students, faculty, staff, and the community in understanding and utilizing information and digital literacies. Research or instruction support is available through appointments, research guides, workshops, and more.

Items borrowed through Prospector and Interlibrary Loan may also be checked out from the Help Desk. Through Prospector and Interlibrary Loan, users have access to materials located in Wyoming, Colorado, and from around the world. 

 

Help desk assisting patrons.

 

Coe Library Collections

Coe Library is the physical home of several collections, including:

Spaces

  • Digital Scholarship Center presentation.
    Digital Scholarship Center

    The Digital Scholarship Center offers consultations, trainings, and workshops to the UW community with a focus on new media and digital technologies.

  • Reading Room.
    McMurry Reading Room

    The Alma Doke McMurry Reading Room is located in Coe Library, Room 268. The room was funded through an endowment created by Carol McMurry and Pat Spieles, both of whom are Wyoming Natives and UW graduates. The room is named in honor of McMurry's grandmother, Alma Doke McMurry. 

  • Studio Coe.
    Studio Coe

    Studio Coe is a staffed multimedia lab with Adobe programs (Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate), game development and virtual reality software (Visual Studio Code, Unity, Blender), as well as video and audio editing programs (iMovie, Audition, Premiere) for free. 

 


Study Spaces

 

Two students sitting in a smaller study space.

Coe Library has approximately 1,500 study spaces for group and individual work. Some of these options include:

    • Quiet Study: Open areas on levels 3 and 4 of the book stacks are dedicated to quiet study. Tables, carrels, and lounge chairs provide seating for 300+ people.

    • Group Study:  Open areas on levels 1, 2 (including the McMurry Reading Room), and 5, plus the east end of level 3, are available for group study. There is space for up to 720 people at tables and in lounge areas. 

    • There are four collaborative pods on levels 1 and 2, each with space for up to five users. 

    • Computers: UW IT manages 138 computers in labs on levels 1, 2, and 3. Some are set up for individual use and some for small-group use. 

    • Study Rooms:  Study rooms are available for individual and group study.  For study room capacity, equipment, and technology, see Reserve-a-Room or visit the Help Desk.

Building Partners

Coe Library building partners include:

  • LeaRN Program: The Learning Resource Network (LeaRN) works with students and faculty to promote academic success, engagement, and enrichment of the college experience. 

  • STEP Tutor Center: The STEP Tutor Center is UW's primary tutor center for UW students. We offer free tutoring in select classes, mostly at the 1000 and 2000 level. 

  • Writing Center: Meet with a trained writing consultant up to four times per week to receive help with any writing project, at any stage of the writing process. The Writing Center is available to UW students, faculty, and staff.

  • Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning: The mission of the ECTL is to promote and support continuous improvement in the enterprise of teaching and learning at the University of Wyoming through a broad range of research-based programs, services, and resources. 

  • Coe Student Innovation Center: The Coe Student Innovation Center, part of the University of Wyoming Innovation Network (UWIN), is a 2500-square-foot makerspace that provides access to state-of-the-art emergent technology for creative, collaborative, innovative and entrepreneurial projects. 

  • Book & Bean Café: Featuring Peet's brand coffee, a full menu of espresso beverages, frappes, brewed tea, and delicious pastries.

UW Libraries

Connect with us:

Dept. 3334
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-3190
(800) 442-6757