1955: William Robertson Coe died, leaving a $1.2 million gift to create a new UW Library and American Studies program.

1956: Construction began on William Robertson Coe Library.

1958: Dedication ceremonies for the new Coe Library.

1968: HSIN began as a document delivery service to health science professionals in Wyoming.

1975: Electronic security system was installed, driving losses of library material down to 1.3%.

1977: Computer searches became available via BCR (Bibliographical Center for Research) in Denver. Librarian searches for patrons cost on average $27.00 dollars a piece.

1978: Two computers and a printer connected the library to the OCLC union catalog (a shared network of cataloging systems). Library catalogers, acquisitions and ILL staff used the computers to access a database of over 4 million catalog records.

1978: The move toward an electronic library catalog took place over a span of fifteen years. UW joined about 1,500 other libraries on the OCLC system which required each library to create computerized catalog records of their collections. Starting in 1978, the UW Libraries created online catalog records, and any materials added before 1978 had to be re-cataloged, a process which took several years

1979: Space crunch in the Science Library! Built in 1970, it was meant to hold 100,000 volumes and by the late seventies held 160,000 volumes. A remodeling project to make the Science Library larger was planned for the mid- 1980s. The reason for the overcrowding? A large increase in publishing in the sciences and a large increase in the universityís science programs.

1980: Computerized check-out was unveiled, allowing circulation staff to automatically manage fines and send overdue notices.

1989: The UW Libraries joined the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries and offered CARL, an integrated, automated computer system. The card catalog was removed in order to make way for the online catalog.

1990: During Wyomingís centennial year, UW Libraries celebrated the acquisition of their one millionth volume and former UW English professor John Edgar Wideman spoke at the one millionth book celebration.

1991: The required University Studies 1000 began and included a library assignment to locate a book, an article and a journal call number as well as take a self-guided tour audio tape tour through Coe Library.

1995: The Libraries started using the information superhighway (aka internet and gophers). The Libraries developed a new home page and librarians used the web in instruction sessions. Government documents were now appearing on the internet.

1997: The library started offering more databases, including Infotrac, UW Catalog Plus, SilverPlatter and Firstsearch. Also offered were the Netscape browser and laser printing, and CD-ROM stations. Computers appeared near the reference desk.

1997: A new electronic classroom in Coe Library with 14 computers opened.

1997: 76 new computers were added to Coe Libraryís main floor.

2000: Voyager integrated library system, including the new catalog called Ferret, replaced CARL.

2000: UW Libraries first offered wireless access.

2002: The UW Capital Facilities Plan 2002-2007 included plans for an Information, Library, and Learning Center (ILLC) large addition to the current Coe Library.

2003: The Libraries started purchasing student art from the student art show. The artwork hangs throughout the Coe Library.

2004: The UW Libraries e-classroom was renovated as the result of a Federal Earmark grant. The remodel included twice as many new computers and a new instructor station. Coe Library classroom 115 also received a technology makeoveróadding a smart board and new instructor station.

2005: Carol McMurray and Pat Spieles donated 1 million dollars to U.W. Libraries (a state match)

2005: The Book and Bean coffee shop opened on the main floor of Coe Library. The library's long-standing "No food or drinks" policy was reversed.

2006: UW Libraries joined Prospector, a unified catalog of 23 libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. Through Prospector, library users at UW can gain access to almost 20 million books, journals, sound recording, films and other materials.

2006: The Wyoming State Legislature approved $4.3 million for UW library collections.

2007: The Science Library converted to a Library Annex in preparation for construction of the new ILLC at Coe Library. A new floor was poured and much of the collection of bound periodicals moved to compact shelving in the Annex.

2007: The UW Libraries prepare to break ground on the ILLC in October 2007.

Jennifer Mayer, Associate Librarian