We collect and preserve the intellectual, administrative, cultural, and social history of the University of Nevada, Reno as documented through official University records, University publications, and the personal papers of faculty, staff, and students.

From the earliest days of the Board of Regents in the 1860s to the present as part of the statewide Nevada System of Higher Education, much of the administrative history and development of the University of Nevada, Reno is documented through the records that are held in the department. The variety of material from its schools, colleges, academic departments, administrative offices, faculty, staff and student organizations help trace the intellectual, cultural and social environments that have shaped the University throughout its history. These resources support university administration and governance, outreach activities, and many of its teaching and research programs, and are available to all.

Learn how to contribute University records

We are the official home for the University of Nevada, Reno’s history!

From our origins in 1874 to the growing community of today, the University Archives are your gateway to campus history.

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Histories of the University

Contributing materials to the University Archives

We are the designated home for some official University records. Please refer to the University Records Retention Schedule above for guidance on when a record should be transferred to Special Collections and University Archives. Student government records are accounted for under the University Records Retention Schedule.

For information about transferring UNR records to the University Archives, please follow the steps linked in our donation process below. We will work with you to identify exactly what has long-term historical and research value or what falls under the Retention Schedule and should be transferred.

We also will consider the personal papers of faculty and materials in a variety of formats that document the student experience.

Just before we take possession of the materials, you will be asked to sign a transfer or gift agreement that formally transfers physical and possibly intellectual ownership of your materials to the UNR Libraries.

Learn more about the donation process

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Red roses are in full bloom outside the Getchell Library with students walking on the library steps in the background. ID: UNRA-P3600-05837.