The University Libraries is the central public display area for the University of Nevada, Reno’s 150th Anniversary Celebration. Several public displays are currently up, mainly inside the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center on floors 1, 2, 3, and 4. Exhibits and displays are available to users and patrons for browsing, viewing and interacting with.

The Libraries team has worked hard to outfit the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center in 150th decor, and has worked to produce a variety of interactive and static exhibits showcasing the University’s 150-year history.  All materials used for exhibits, displays, etc. found within the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, the DeLaMare Science and Engineering Library and the Prim Library at the Lake Tahoe campus, come from the Libraries permanent collection. The Libraries are showcasing the University as it celebrates its 150th birthday using University Libraries materials, artifacts, imagery and more.

Learn more about what the Libraries has done to support the University's 150th celebration by visiting the Libraries Sesquicentennial Hub website.

Exhibits and Displays now available for viewing inside the Matheweson-IGT Knowledge Center (MIKC):

Innovations Display - MIKC, 2nd floor atrium, north side

Freestanding wall display that is approximately 14 ft long and 6 ft tall, featuring University-centric examples of innovations, innovators and inventions from the past 150-years. The freestanding wall content and images were curated by the Libraries team using materials from Special Collections and University Archives. The freestanding wall display is located inside the MIKC Atrium on the north side of the atrium. To learn more, please visit the Innovations website that compliments the freestanding display. 

A complimentary exhibit featuring six different and unique University patents is also on display on the second floor, in the atrium of the Knowledge Center.

Milestones Display - MIKC, 4th floor

Freestanding wall display that is approximately 14 ft long and 6 ft tall, featuring University-centric Milestones spanning the institution's 150-year history. The freestanding wall content and images were curated by the Libraries team using materials from Special Collections and University Archives. The freestanding wall display is located inside the MIKC and can be found on the 4th floor. To get a sense of some of the milestones featured, please visit the Milestones freestanding wall imagery and content online. 

Traditions Display - MIKC, 4th floor

Freestanding wall display featuring University Traditions is also available for viewing inside the MIKC on the 4th floor. The Traditions display was the first freestanding wall display created in a series of three displays total created by the Libraries over the year-long 150th celebration. To learn more about University Traditions, please visit the Traditions website featuring freestanding wall imagery and content.

AI-fueled interactive University Timeline - MIKC, 2nd floor

This interactive display was developed by the talented team located within the University Libraries @One Digital Media & Technology department. They used the official University timeline and AR/VR and other technology to create a completely interactive experience for Libraries visitors.

Visitors to the second floor of the MIKC Atrium can experience the timeline using their arms and hands to scroll through the timeline – in the space, without any controllers, etc.  The timeline features all sorts special moments in University history. It has photos, video, and many other interactive elements to be experienced.

University Presidents display - MIKC, 2nd floor

The Libraries has sourced bios and portraits for all of the past University Presidents, as well as current President Brian Sandoval. This display can be found on the 2nd floor of the MIKC just south of the Access Services desk. The display features 10, 2' x 3' panels with portraits and bios for each past and current President.

Aerial campus photography – campus through the years - MIKC, 4th floor

View custom metal prints featuring campus images from the past 150 years.

Notable Alumni Exhibit – Whittemore Gallery, 1st floor

The Libraries team selected a group of distinguished alumni to profile. Portraits and achievements of these notable alumni are featured on each of the exhibit cases found in the Whittemore Gallery. Vinyl cling material (printed in the @One) was used to create a series of custom-sized clings for each notable alumni profiled. Once printed, the clings were installed to each of the front facing doors of the exhibit cases that occupy the Whittemore Gallery space to create am informative, memorable, modern and interesting look at University alumni. 

President Sandoval Commencement Celebration Wall - Whittemore Gallery, 1st floor

A large wall installation featuing a beautiful image of the historic University Quad during commencement with a custom 2D, nearly-life-size-cut-out of President Sandoval layered on top. As a special touch, there is a reference to President Sandoval's "Silver Thread" quote in this installation as well. Images from past University commencement celebrations can also be found in the Whittemore Gallery.

Special Collections and University Archives-specific exhibits - MIKC, 3rd floor

Three Libraries-specific exhibits have been curated by Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) in celebration of the Univesity's 150th. Using the theme, "Celebrating Silver and Blue: 150 Years of the University of Nevada, Reno"  as a guide, SCUA has curated three exhibits in the past twelve months: "Building a State University," "Building a Campus Community," and "Building a Team" complement and/or reinforce other exhibits and displays featured within the MIKC and other Libraries locations over the duration of the 150th celebration.

"Building a State University" (Oct. 2023 - Feb. 2024)

The SCUA-curated "Building a State University" exhibit was up from October 2023 - February 2024.
This exhibit was on display on the 3rd floor of the MIKC. It featured materials looking at the University's history, with particular focus on the University Libraries, the founding years in Elko and move to Reno, and what it means to be a land-grant institution.

"Building a Campus Community" (Feb. - June 2024)

"Building a Campus Community" explored student life on campus, covering such topics as the student newspaper, other student publications, Greek life, the performing arts, student groups, and student activism. The exhibit was on display on the third floor of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center until June 2024.

"Building a Team" (July 2024 - October 2024) - MIKC 3rd floor, Special Collections and University Archives
In this exhibit take a look into how the University of Nevada, Reno fielded athletic teams starting in the 1890s, and see first-hand how our student-athletes have been defying expectations ever since. This exhibit shows how student-athletes, their coaches, and their supporters influence not only campus life, but also the wider community.  

Building a Team will be on display starting June 2024 on the 3rd floor of the MIKC, on the walls around the Atrium and in the SCUA exhibit room.  

Follow this link to learn more about "Building a Team." This NSights blog post you will learn about the University's fascinating history with sports.