Research Services
Special Collections staff will be able to spend a limited amount of time researching your question. Staff may also be able to refer researchers to other resources on and off campus. Our small staff, however, cannot undertake extensive research. For research services, please contact special collections.
Requesting Material
The Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections are in a closed stack area. These materials do not circulate, primarily to ensure that researchers will have ready access to them.
Researchers who are unable to visit Special Collections may submit inquiries via standard mail, phone, or email. To request Hebard materials, have the call number and title of each item ready.
If you have a large number of items you would like pulled you may contact us at and we will have them ready for the date/time you specify. Please allow at least one business day.
Digitized Items & AHC Archives
Both Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections and the American Heritage Center collect information about and from the University of Wyoming to support research and teaching, as well as course work. While Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections collects and makes available published UW information, the American Heritage Center serves as the repository for unpublished university archives.
Formats in special collections include bulletins and catalogs, research reports, administrative materials and records, The Branding Iron (student newspaper), WYO (student yearbook), books, film, video, audio recordings, and maps.
Who was Emmett D. Chisum?
Emmett D. Chisum (1918 - 2009) was born in Sicily Island, Louisiana, but lived most of his life in Laramie, Wyoming.
He earned two master's degrees from the University of Wyoming - one in political science and the other in history. He worked for both UW Libraries and American Heritage Center, and earned the title of Professor Emeritus. Mr. Chisum was married to Geneva DeWolf who passed away in 2007.
Mr. Chisum had a variety of interests and was a prolific researcher. He published articles and guides on education, literature, UW history, and notable Wyoming individuals. His historical writings include: The Influence of Wyoming Governors' Message on Legislation 1890-1939, Memories: University of Wyoming Centennial 1886-1986, and Wyoming Football 1893-1947.
About Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections
Personal belongings must be stored in the area provided, and pencils must be used. Wireless is available and personal computers are allowed. Materials may only be used in the Reading Room.
Researchers are requested to use the preferred citation that designates Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections, University of Wyoming Libraries, as the repository for any material used in a published work. We request that citations use the following format:
[collection name], Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections, University of Wyoming Libraries.
Please fill out the request form and return to the Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections.
Email us at chisumrr@uwyo.edu or call 307-766-2027 to reach the reading room. We are located on level 3 of Coe Library. Though scheduling an appointment is not required, it allows staff time to pull your requested items and any other materials that may assist you in your research.
Yes! The reading room is a warm, quiet place with a beautiful view. Come to study, read, or research our collections.
There are more than 90,000 published items primarily related to Wyoming's history and culture, including books, maps, microfilm, newspapers, periodicals, government documents, and ephemera. Our Canoso Collection is unique in that it is not specific to Wyoming, and it contains miniature artists' books.
All Special Collections items must stay in Chisum Special Collections. Materials will be scanned for in-house use, and they must be returned before you leave the room.
To protect our collections, we ask that you do not eat, drink, or use writing tools other than pencils in the reading room. These items, including backpacks and other bags, must be placed in the shelves provided.
We do not have a scanner in the reading room currently. You are welcome to take photos with your cell phone or a staff member may take the requested item and scan it to a flash drive or email address on level 2 at no cost. If you need more than 20 pages scanned, please work with the Interlibrary Loan department to fulfill this request.
