Special Collections

Arthur Lakes Library
General assistance is available
all hours the Library is open.
Phone: (303) 273-3698
Fax: (303) 273-3199
www.mines.edu/library

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Arthur Lakes Library has several special collections which document the history of CSM and support the research and instructional needs of the CSM community.
The Russell L. & Lyn Wood Mining History Archive
  • The Archive is open to the public by appointment only: Monday through Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. To schedule an appointment contact the Reference Desk at 303.273.3694 or .
  • To help maximize your time in the Archive during your scheduled visit, view the User Policies.
  • Supplements to Archive Use lists additional resources to help with your Archives research.

The Russell L. & Lyn Wood Mining History Archive was established in April 1995 by former CSM Board of Trustees member Russell L. Wood and his wife, Lyn. The Archive Reading Room and its contents are available to the public, and much of the collection is cataloged in Catalyst, the library's online catalog. In addition to the collections in the Reading Room, a number of unprocessed manuscript collections are held in remote storage. The manuscript collections are currently being made accessible to the public through the creation of archival registers and finding aids. Until the Archive is fully developed, access to some of the manuscript material may be limited.

The Russell L. & Lyn Wood Reading Room houses a non-circulating collection of books, journals, and other materials which cover mining history throughout the world, with emphasis on the Rocky Mountain region; acknowledged classics on mining practice and technique; early USGS publications; rare journals and periodicals on mining and earth sciences; and rare books on the earth sciences. The Archive also houses selected official CSM publications such as bulletins, catalogs, yearbooks, the school newspaper (The Oredigger), and material on the history of CSM.

Collections include:

  • Bolis Collection, consisting of survey notebooks compiled by the official surveyors of Jefferson County, H.W. Gardner and Louis E. Bolis, from the 1920s to the early 1970s. The collection is a valuable resource for modern surveyors to consult when resolving questions regarding property lines and boundaries.
  • Mine Map Repository Collection of reports on Colorado mineral properties submitted to U.S. Bureau of Mines. Some materials are in the library catalog; others are accessible via a card file in the Library's Reference Room.
  • CSM memorabilia, including diplomas, caps, and other mementos.
  • Photograph Collection, including photographs, slides, negatives, stereopticons, and lantern slides. Subjects include people and buildings associated with the Colorado School of Mines; mining scenes and equipment; ropeways; scenic panoramas. Searchable access to digitized versions of photographs and other images is available through the Image Database.
Information Center for Ropeway Studies
Established in 1991, the Information Center for Ropeway Studies contains information on the theory, design and operation of ropeway and tramway systems. The Center now includes approximately 250 monographs, seven journal and newsletter titles, a manufacturer's catalog file, a reprint file, a slide and lantern slide collection, photographs and videos. The collection is located in Room 308 on the third floor of the Arthur Lakes Library.

The Ropeway Database contains information on the contents and locations of monographs, journal articles, proceedings, regulations, and reports and is enhanced with keywords and brief abstracts developed by subject specialists. Much of the Ropeway collection is also cataloged into Catalyst, the library's online catalog.

Colorado School of Mines Photographs
The Photograph Collection is an eclectic mix of photographs, slides, negatives, stereopticons, and lantern slides. The collection dates back to the 1880s and primarily includes people, buildings, and activities associated with the Colorado School of Mines. Some historical mining scenes, equipment, scenic panoramas, and classroom teaching aids are also included in the collection, which is housed in the Russell L. & Lyn Wood Mining History Archive.

The collection is searchable in the Image Database. Note that digitization efforts are ongoing and that many records are not yet included in this database.

Contact the Russell L. & Lyn Wood Mining History Archive for assistance.

Tell Ertl Oil Shale Repository
The Tell Ertl Archive consists of 23 discrete collections of materials, including published and unpublished manuscripts, photographs, slides, and maps on the development of the oil shale industry throughout the world, but with emphasis on the western United States. Materials in the Tell Ertl Archive do not circulate and must be used in the Tell Ertl Room. Patrons may gain access to the collection by contacting Reference Desk librarians during regular business hours, or by appointment.  This collection is searchable in the Tell Ertl Database.
Company Annual Reports
The Annual Reports collection, which is housed in filing cabinets in the Reference Room, includes annual reports, some 10-Ks, and other miscellaneous information from companies in the mining, energy, and extractive industries. Access to this collection is restricted to times that the Reference Desk is staffed. This collection is in the process of being cataloged into Catalyst, the library's online catalog; a card file is available in Reference which lists the available reports.