The Nevada State Library, Archives, and Public Records (NSLAPR) is partnering with Dr. Fred Steinmann from the University of Nevada, Reno to develop a new five year statewide masterplan designed to strengthen and support Nevada's entire library ecosystem. 

This planning process includes public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, special libraries, archives, and the many partners who intersect with library services across Nevada.

We Need Your Voice

To help guide this work, we are collecting input from two important groups: 

1. Internal Stakeholders: library staff, trustees and board members, Friends groups, and other internal partners. Please fill out the Internal Stakeholders Survey.
2. External Stakeholders: patrons, community members, civic partners, educators, organizations, and other users who engage with libraries. Please fill out the External Stakeholders Survey.

Both surveys are now open. If you have not yet responded to the internal survey or shared it with your internal stakeholders, please do so. We are also asking all libraries to share the external survey widely through newsletters, email lists, social media, community boards, and partner organizations.

For youth serving libraries and K-12 environments, please share the external survey with parents rather than directly with minors.

Why This Matters

Libraries in Nevada are evolving rapidly, from digital resources, to collaboration across agencies, to new community roles. This masterplan will define statewide priorities, identify needs, and help build a more unified future across all library types. Your feedback directly influences the direction and recommendations in this plan.

Thank You

Thank you to every director, staff member, board, partner, and patron participating in this process. Your perspective is essential as we help build a stronger and more connected Nevada library ecosystem for the next five years.

If you have any questions about this strategic planning effort, please reach out to Fred Steinmann, at 775-784-1655 or fred@unr.edu. 

On February 15, 1898 the U.S.S. Maine sunk in a mysterious explosion in Havana Harbor, Cuba. By April the United States and Spain had declared war on each other. The Spanish-American War was short-lived and is not as well known as other wars in American history. But Nevada still answered the call when men were asked to volunteer to fight. One such Nevadan to volunteer for the Spanish-American War was Charles H. Stoddard.

Charles H. Stoddard was born in Alabama in 1845. In 1870, Stoddard moved to Reno, Nevada. He worked as a messenger for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, an agent for V&T Railroad, and a county assessor for Washoe County. He was also involved in real estate and grocery businesses. Stoddard was a member of the Nevada National Guard and served as a captain of Reno’s Company C for 12 years. 

Nevada initially recruited two volunteer cavalry units for the Spanish-American War: Troop M of the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry and Troop A of the 1st Nevada Volunteer Cavalry. Stoddard’s son Roy served in the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry regiment (known as Torrey’s Rough Riders). Throughout the war, Nevada politicians and military officials pushed for an infantry battalion from Nevada. Finally, in June 1898, Nevada was authorized to raise a battalion of four full companies of infantry selected from the Nevada National Guard. The Nevada National Guard units selected for the battalion were: 1) Virginia City’s Company A combined with Winnemucca’s Company D, 2) Virginia City’s Company B combined with Elko’s Company E, 3) Reno’s Company C (in which Stoddard served), and 4) Carson City’s Company F. Governor Sadler assigned Stoddard to lead Company C of the First Battalion, Nevada Volunteer Infantry.

Stoddard and other Nevada National Guard captains had been examined earlier in the year to assess their qualifications as military officers. The original exam questions can be found in the Nevada Adjutant General records in the State Archives.

The First Battalion, Nevada Volunteer Infantry was quartered at Camp Sadler, located at the racetrack in southeast Carson City. In August the battalion was moved to Camp Clark on the west side of Carson City in the area where the old Carson hospital on Mountain Street and Fleischmann Way now sits. Hostilities ceased between the Spanish and the Americans on August 12. On August 25, the U.S. Secretary of War ordered that the First Battalion, Nevada Volunteer Infantry be among the units to be mustered out. The men were released on October 29, 1898 without ever getting the chance to leave Nevada.

Nevada Archives Month 2025 honors the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces (June 14, 1775) and Nevadans who served their country. Funding for Archives Month is provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. 

To learn more about Nevada's role in the Spanish-American War, visit the All for Our Country exhibit at the Nevada State Archives. The exhibit is open to the public through November 14, 2025, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Admission is free.

Happy Nevada Day! During the Civil War, Nevada became the 36^th state in the Union on October 31, 1864. President Abraham Lincoln expedited Nevada’s statehood to support his reelection and gain votes in favor of passing the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The legacy of the Civil War in Nevada lives on in the state’s nickname: “The Battle Born State.”

The Civil War played an important role in Nevada's path to statehood as it helped provide motivation to admit a state that was willing to show its loyalty to the Union. Even though Nevada was thousands of miles from the front lines of the Civil War, its citizens still participated in the war and proved that they were ready to give “all for our country”.

In 1863, before Nevada had even become a state, the territory was asked to supply the U.S. Army with two cavalry companies and two infantry companies. Nevada recruited six cavalry companies and three infantry companies. The Nevada men and officers that were officially mustered into the service of the U.S. Army were called the Nevada Volunteers.

The Nevada Volunteer companies spent the war stationed in Nevada and other western states to take the place of federal troops that had been called back east to fight. The Nevada Volunteers garrisoned frontier posts, participated in scouting assignments and skirmished with Native Americans. Nevada civilians, particularly women, supported sick and wounded soldiers in the Union Army by volunteering and fundraising for relief agencies like the United States Sanitary Commission.

Nevada Archives Month 2025 honors the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces (June 14, 1775) and Nevadans who served their country. Funding for Archives Month is provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. 

To learn more about Nevada's role in the Civil War, visit the All for Our Country exhibit at the Nevada State Archives. The exhibit is open to the public through November 14, 2025, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Admission is free.

The State Archives exhibit, “All for Our Country,” tells the stories of some of the Nevadans who served our country during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II, and it also spotlights one of the many volunteers who provided vital support to the armed services here in Nevada. 

Frances Humphrey volunteered with the American Red Cross Motor Corps during World War II. She is shown in the photograph above next to an American Red Cross Motor Corps Vehicle in 1943. Frances and other volunteers were extensively trained to drive, maintain, and repair Red Cross vehicles in Northern Nevada. Red Cross vehicles were used to transport sick or wounded troops and delver supplies. Frances’ Motor Corps uniform is currently on display at the Nevada State Archives courtesy of the Nevada State Museum, Carson City.

Frances Humphrey was born in Carson City in 1904. She graduated from Reno High School in 1922 and graduated from the University of Nevada in 1926. She spent more than 45 years as a teacher in the Washoe County school system and was a Reno High School faculty member from 1931 to 1965. She passed away in 2001.

Nevada Archives Month 2025 honors the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces (June 14, 1775) and Nevadans who served their country. Funding for Archives Month is provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. 

Special thanks to Mary Covington at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City and Jan Loverin at the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Research Center. The exhibit is open to the public through November 14, 2025, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Admission is free.

Born in 1918, Marco McCauley was a member of the Yerington Paiute (Numu) Tribe. He grew up in Dayton, Nevada and graduated from Stewart Indian School in 1938.

McCauley was one of more than 44,000 Native Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces in World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 15, 1942 and was ultimately assigned to the 10th Engineer Division. As a Private in the U.S. Army, McCauley participated in military campaigns in Africa, French Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, France, and Germany.

McCauley’s letters home provide a glimpse of army life in the European Theater. This blog post highlights the 5 letters showcased at the “All For Our Country” exhibit at Nevada State Archives. All digital reproductions and items courtesy of the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum. Click on the images to read the full letter.

Nevada Archives Month 2025 honors the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces (June 14, 1775) and Nevadans who served their country. Funding for Archives Month is provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. 

Special thanks to Chris Gibbons at the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum and Linda McCauley, daughter of Marco McCauley. To learn more about Marco McCauley, visit the All for Our Country exhibit at the Nevada State Archives. The exhibit is open to the public through November 14, 2025, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Admission is free.

CARSON CITY, NV — On October 16, the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR) will host a dual celebration recognizing two pivotal figures in Nevada and American history: Sarah Winnemucca, a trailblazing Northern Paiute activist and author, and Mark Twain, the legendary American humorist whose literary journey began in the Silver State.

This special day will feature the dedication of the new Mark Twain Reading Room and a public celebration of Sarah Winnemucca Day, honoring each figure’s profound impact on Nevada’s cultural legacy.

Honoring Sarah Winnemucca: A Voice for Her People

Sarah Winnemucca, a Northern Paiute author, educator, and activist, is honored each year on October 16 for her tireless advocacy on behalf of Indigenous communities. Born in what is now Nevada, she was a trailblazer as the first Native American woman to publish a book in English, “Life Among the Paiutes: Their Wrongs and Claims”, which remains a foundational work in Native American literature and activism.

Winnemucca traveled across the country in the late 1800s, speaking to audiences and U.S. government officials about the injustices facing her people. Her legacy as a fierce advocate for Indigenous rights and education continues to inspire generations across Nevada and the nation.

Ribbon-Cutting: The New Mark Twain Reading Room

In conjunction with the Sarah Winnemucca Day celebration, the Nevada State Library will unveil the new Mark Twain Reading Room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 16 at 4:00 PM.

This permanent exhibit honors Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, who began his storied literary career while working as a journalist for the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City in the 1860s. Twain’s witty observations of life in Nevada fueled some of his earliest works, including Roughing It, offering vivid, humorous depictions of the American West.

The Reading Room features one of the most significant Twain collections in the western United States, as recognized by leading Twain scholars. The exhibit also includes books from other Sagebrush School authors, such as Dan DeQuille and Sarah Winnemucca. Visitors will have access to the Territorial Enterprise via databases on the library’s website and microfilm.

3rd Annual Mark Twain Days – Event Schedule at the Nevada State Library

The library’s October 16 ribbon cutting kicks off a series of events in partnership with the Brewery Arts Center and Visit Carson City for the 3rd Annual Mark Twain Days:

Thursday, October 16, 2025 @ 4:00 PM

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony – Mark Twain Reading Room
Nevada dignitaries and community leaders will gather at the library to celebrate the official opening of the new Mark Twain Reading Room.

Friday, October 17, 2025 – Literary Workshops (2:00–4:00 PM)

• Dani Putney, poet and author, will lead a creative session on poetry and the writing process.
• Brad McMullen, Nevada State Folklorist, will discuss the state's rich traditions and storytelling heritage.
  Each workshop will last approximately 45 minutes.

Friday, October 17, 2025 – All Day Activities

• Nevada State Archives Exhibit
  Explore self-guided exhibits from Twain’s era, including early territorial government records that framed the historical backdrop of his writings.
• Twain-Themed Library Activities
  Participate in a Twain-themed scavenger hunt, enjoy coloring sheets, and take home a printed souvenir page from the Territorial Enterprise.

Celebrating Nevada’s Diverse Literary and Cultural Heritage

By honoring both Sarah Winnemucca and Mark Twain on the same day, Nevada acknowledges two powerful yet distinct voices that helped shape the state’s identity. One spoke from the heart of the land and its first people; the other captured its spirit in ink and humor.

For a full schedule of Mark Twain Days events, visit the Brewery Arts Center’s website.

Funding for the Mark Twain Reading Room is provided in part by a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

In celebration of Archives Month 2025 and E-Records Day (October 10th), the Nevada State Archives worked with Imaging & Preservation Services (IPS) to digitize and provide online access to the World War I military records preserved at the Nevada State Archives. Click here to explore the digital collection.

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. During the first year, Nevada led the nation in the ratio of volunteer enlistments for the regular Army as compared to the quota set for the state at that time. The records held at the Nevada State Archives show that thousands of Nevadans served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Nurses Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps during World War I.

These service member records were tracked using a card index system at the federal level and then sent to each state’s Adjutant General. The Nevada State Archives’ digital collection contains the World War I Service Cards for the Nevadans who served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and as Nurses in the U.S. Army. To aid in genealogy research, the digital collection allows you to filter the cards by place of birth, residence, and enlistment.

Search the digital collection here or browse through a few distinguished service members below:

The Nevada State Archives also has the service cards for any Nevadan who enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I and World War II. Please contact the State Archives via our Ask an Archivist Form for more information.

Learn More About #ERecsDay:

Sponsored by the Council of State Archivists (CoSA), October 10th marks Electronic Records Day and promotes American Archives Month. Electronic records encompass any record that was created or “born” in a digital format. October 10th can be expressed as 1010, which is a nod to binary code. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the crucial role electronic records play and provide guidance to state agencies on managing their electronic records.

Nevada Archives Month 2025 honors the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces (June 14, 1775) and Nevadans who served their country. Funding for Archives Month is provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. 

October is Archives Month in the United States. It is a time to spotlight the importance of archival repositories and their role as the collective memory of communities and governments across the country. It is also a time to raise awareness of historic photos, letters, and documents available for Nevadans to use. 

In celebration of Archives Month, we invite you to visit the State Archives exhibit, “All for Our Country,” which honors Nevadans’ contributions to U.S. efforts during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. The exhibit also tells the story of the Nevada National Guard. It showcases historical documents, letters, photographs, objects, and uniforms from the Nevada State Museum, Nevada Historical Society, Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum, Westwall Militaria Antiques and Collectibles, Nevada National Guard, and Nevada State Archives. 

The exhibit is open to the public through November 14, 2025, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at the Nevada State Archives, 100 Stewart Street, Carson City. Admission is free.

Nevada Archives Month 2025 honors the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces (June 14, 1775) and Nevadans who served their country. Funding for Archives Month is provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. 

9/12/2025
Youth Services, Library Programs, Community Engagement

The Nevada State Library and local libraries across the state are proud to announce the successful launch of the Adventure Backpacks Program, a unique initiative designed to bring educational, hands-on learning experiences to families and children. These themed backpacks provide everything needed for outdoor exploration and discovery, combining books, activity materials, and resources that promote literacy and environmental curiosity.

Since the program's launch on August 5, 2025, 17 out of 20 Nevada library districts have participated, with 174 backpacks ordered and distributed statewide. Each backpack includes three carefully selected books, Nevada State Parks passports, trail guides, maps, pamphlets, and hands-on activity tools such as binoculars, magnifying glasses, compasses, flashlights, and telescopes.

This program is made possible thanks to grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR).

The backpacks come in four adventure themes, each designed to spark curiosity in different areas of Nevada's rich natural environment:

• Desert Plants 🌵 - Explore local flora with field guides, binoculars, and plant identification activities.
• It Moves (Wildlife) 🐾 - Become a wildlife detective with binoculars, field guides, and interactive observation sheets.
• Night Views 🌌 - Discover the night sky with a monocular telescope, star charts, and constellation flashcards.
• Treasure Hunt 💎 - Investigate rocks, fossils, and minerals while following scavenger hunts and challenge sheets.

Nevada State Parks generously supported the program by providing brochures, trail guides, passports, and maps, which were included in every backpack. These resources connect families to Nevada's incredible outdoor spaces, offering guidance and inspiration for exploration close to home.

Program Goals: 

• Encourage hands-on learning and outdoor activities for families.
• Promote reading and early literacy in fun and interactive ways.
• Position libraries as community hubs for education and engagement.

All backpacks have been cataloged and tagged for easy checkout at participating libraries, ensuring that families across Nevada can access these engaging resources year-round.

Feedback from library staff and patrons will be collected throughout the year to assess program impact and identify opportunities for expansion. The program will also feature stories and photos from participating libraries, showcasing how these backpacks are fostering curiosity, learning, and family engagement across Nevada.

The Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records extends a special thank-you to Nevada State Parks for their invaluable support and materials, as well as to all library staff who helped make this program a success. We look forward to seeing families explore Nevada together - one backpack at a time!

Check out an Adventure Backpack at your local Nevada library today!

The following post is written by Capt. Emerson Marcus, Nevada National Guard

Capt. Emerson Marcus is the public affairs officer for the Nevada National Guard. He has a Master of Arts in history from the University of Nevada, Reno.

The Nevada National Guard’s annual Flag Day and Army Birthday celebration is a brief (about 30 minutes) and quiet event, consistent with many other celebrations around the country. The event avoids bombastic displays of militarism and jingoism and includes a historical flag presentation from the Nevada Air National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

This year was different as thousands attended the “No Kings” protest on Carson Street, both events sharing the same time slot, separated only by the Supreme Court lawn and Capitol grounds. This made for a robust, unique display of patriotism and First Amendment rights in Carson City.

Additionally, State Archives opened for its “All For Our Country” exhibit dedicated to Nevada’s military history. This was the first event to kickoff Nevada’s “America 250” celebration that will include other events leading up to the nation’s quarter millennial birthday next year.

As the public affairs officer for the Nevada National Guard with a graduate degree in history from the University of Nevada, Reno, I helped lead the event and supported State Archives with content and writing for their exhibit. The staff at the State Archives, including Cyndi Shein, Taylor Chase, Hannah Chapman and Cynthia Lafambroise, did an excellent job on a short timeframe leading up to the Army’s 250th birthday and Flag Day. Mike Strom, the Nevada State Library and Archives Administrator, also provided remarks during the ceremony. 

But there’s one thing that I will never forget about the 2025 event: an email I received from the organizer of the “No Kings” protest.

On June 9, the Reno Gazette Journal reported on the contrast to be on display on Flag Day at the state capital. Reporter Mark Robison interviewed me and “No Kings” Northern Nevada organizer, Fassah Galt. After the news story published, Galt sent me an email that included the following:

“I'd like to ensure that all demonstrators present are conscious and respectful of your ceremony and that we as organizers do all we can to ensure that the reverence and respect of your ceremony are preserved,” Galt wrote in the email. “With that in mind I would like to adjust our programming such that our speakers begin after your ceremony has concluded. It is not our desire to impede, disrupt or detract from the ceremony… as it is important for those who will gather on Saturday to recognize that the rights which they seek to exercise are possible only because of those who have given their lives and their service to protect them.”

I’ll never forget that gracious note. He understood, as we did, that a celebration of the flag, the U.S. Army and the peoples’ rights to peaceably assemble were not mutually exclusive acts of patriotism. They were pillars of our nation’s founding that remain true today. The boisterous sound of Americans voicing concerns greatly added to the atmosphere of the day. Afterward, State Archives visitors included Nevadans from both events.

I would like to thank those who worked to support the Nevada National Guard’s 27th annual Flag Day and Army Birthday: the State Archives, the Nevada National Guard, Carson City Public Works, Capitol Police, Galt and so many other Nevadans who came together on June 14, 2025. As said before, the State Archives did a great job and I hope the public enjoys their exhibit as it remains on display through Veterans Day this year.

For me, that day will forever serve as a reminder that differences aren’t barriers — they are elements and anecdotes of our collective national identity and the American Experience. 

The Nevada State Archives would like to thank the Nevada National Guard for their assistance in making this Flag Day celebration and exhibit opening a huge success!

Photo Credits: Ahylin Arroyo, Meighan Herberg, Stephanie Mears

Funding for the exhibit provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission