When planning for construction of what would become Lied Library, Carol Harter famously wanted the building to be at least one square foot larger than the Thomas & Mack Center to show that UNLV valued academics. The library would become an iconic academic building, truly the heart of the university as Harter would often say, and was only one of many significant accomplishments during her tenure as President.

Harter’s legacy and contributions to UNLV are now preserved in Lied Library through the Carol C. Harter Professional Papers, a newly established collection in UNLV’s Special Collections & Archives. The Harter Papers contain materials from her decades-long scholarly and administrative career in higher education. 

“President Harter’s influence is felt throughout the university, but especially in Lied Library, which continues to serve as a center of academic life at UNLV,” said Sarah Quigley, director of Special Collections and Archives. “We are proud to support her legacy and preserve her papers so that future generations of UNLV students can learn about her impact on the university.”

Harter, who served as UNLV President from 1995-2006, remains the longest-serving president in UNLV history. She was also the first female UNLV President, and is now the first UNLV President to preserve their personal papers in Special Collections and Archives. Harter passed away in September 2023 at the age of 82.

The collection includes letters, publications, reports, speeches, and photographs from Harter's time as the 11th and first female president of State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo, as well as her presidency at UNLV, along with materials documenting her research and teaching activity.

The collection is available for researchers to view in the reading room in Special Collections & Archives on the third floor of Lied Library.