Every month, Special Collections and Archives showcases some of our newly processed collections. Here are some of the highlights for February.
Wayne C. Kodey Photographs, approximately 1977-1996. PH-00467. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Explore the complete Wayne C. Kodey finding aid.
- The Wayne C. Kodey Photographs (1971-2010) consist of 35mm and medium format photographic negatives, positives, and slides featuring the work of former Las Vegas Review-Journal staff photographer Wayne C. Kodey. The photographs include assignments for the Review-Journal and other publications documenting sporting events, entertainment, and general news and special interest stories throughout the Las Vegas Valley and southern Nevada. The collection also contains Kodey’s off-assignment photographic work, which consists of national parks, railroads, landscapes of the Mojave Desert and southwestern United States, and family travels. Kodey’s personal work includes several panoramic medium format negatives.
- Subjects: Las Vegas Review-Journal; photographs; Photojournalism; Las Vegas Valley (Nev.)
John Irsfeld Professional Papers [UNPROCESSED], approximately 1970-2010. MS-01223. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Explore the complete John Irsfeld Professional Papers finding aid.
- The John Irsfeld Professional Papers (approximately 1970-2010) consist of materials documenting the career of novelist and former English professor John H. Irsfeld. The papers include published and unpublished creative works, correspondence, and research files pertaining to Irsfeld’s literary career, as well as teaching materials and correspondence from his time as an English professor and administrator at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This collection is unprocessed, but available with advance notice.
- Subjects: Creative writing; Las Vegas (Nev.); University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Richard W. Dieleman oral history interview, 2025 October 21. OH-03958. [Cite format consulted: Audio recording or Transcript.] Oral History Research Center, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. Explore the complete Richard Dieleman oral history.
- Oral history interview with Richard W. Dieleman conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on October 21, 2025 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Dieleman describes his childhood and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada at age two so his father could work on building Hoover Dam. He recalls growing up in Boulder City, people watching on Fremont Street, and the yearly Helldorado parades. His father later started Jake's Crane and Rigging, which led Dieleman to work primarily in crane operation services. As a teenager and young adult, he recalls helping his father with work at Area 51. The work was top secret and Dieleman remembers seeing the SR-71 "Blackbird" flying in and out. After years of working for his father's company, Dieleman started his own crane company in the 1980s. He recalls helping work on the Sahara Hotel, Fremont Street, and Paris Hotel. He discusses some notable construction companies in Las Vegas, including Las Vegas Paving, Wells Cargo, and JA Tiberti. The interview concludes with Dieleman talking about the rapid expansion of Las Vegas. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
- Subjects: Paris Las Vegas; Sahara Hotel and Casino; Oral histories (document genres); Construction projects; Las Vegas (Nev.)
