The UCO Archives & Special Collections was begun in 1981. Located on the second floor of the Max Chambers Library the department is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and making accessible for research, primary and secondary source materials that document the history of the University, Edmond and other Oklahoma communities and organizations. Materials in the collection include books and serials related to the history, literature, and culture of Oklahoma and the southwest, manuscripts, photographs, works of art, audio-visual materials and the permanent historical records of the University of Central Oklahoma. Over the years, the holdings of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Archives and Special Collections have grown as the result of generous donations of rare and valuable materials. The Library continues to welcome gifts in order to enhance the research value of its collections.

Ms. Willard is originally from St. Louis, Missouri but has life time ties to Oklahoma with her mother being a 5^th generation Oklahoman. She relocated from St. Louis to Oklahoma in 1989 to complete her education. She has worked at the University of Central Oklahoma since 1991 and has been in her current position as Director of Archives, Documents and Special Collections at the Max Chambers Library since 1995. She also serves as a faculty member in the History and Geography Department teaching courses that support the Museum Studies Program. Ms. Willard holds a Master’s degree in History with a Minor in Geography from the University of Central Oklahoma and became a Certified Archivist in 2008. She served 3 terms on the Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board helping many Oklahoma institutions preserve valuable historical records. Preserving the past for future generations is her passion.