The Most Iconic Libraries In Nevada
Nevada may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of iconic libraries. For sure, the Silver State is full of iconic places, like Caesars Palace, the Hoover Dam, the University of Nevada, the Mob Museum, but iconic libraries? Surprisingly, Nevada has a few notable ones that stand out for their architecture, collections, or cultural significance, like the landmark downtown library in Reno. Here are a few of the most iconic libraries in Nevada worth checking into, even if you can’t check out a book.
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas
In a city whose unofficial motto could be “big is always better,” the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District doesn’t stop at one show-stopping branch; it hogs the limelight with 25 branches across the valley, serving nearly 2 million residents with books, a theater space that hosts concerts and plays, galleries, community programs, and visits from one of the few traveling bookmobiles left in the country. It’s considered one of the cultural anchors of Las Vegas outside of the Strip. A few standout branches include the Summerlin Library and the Spring Valley Library.
Downtown Reno Library, Reno
The Downtown Reno Library, also known as the Washoe County Library, is an architectural gem built in 1966 by Hewitt C. Wells. The architect initially wanted to build the library in a park, but when he couldn’t, he built a park in the library. The interior features hundreds of plants, a few full-grown trees, and a reflection pool with a fountain, and was presented with the 1968 Industrial Landscape Award by Lady Bird Johnson, wife of Lyndon B. Johnson.
Another little-known architectural feature of the library is that there is a Cold War-era fallout shelter beneath it. Constructed in the early 1960s, the shelter comprises four concrete tunnels designed to accommodate up to 257 people for approximately two weeks. The Downtown Reno Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
The Downtown Reno Library is part of the Washoe County Library System, which was established in 1904 with a grant from noted philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded several Carnegie libraries across Nevada in the early 20th century, including the now-demolished Reno Carnegie Free Public Library, which served as Reno’s main library from its founding until 1930. After exploring the library, walk a few blocks to the Truckee River to the Riverwalk District, and enjoy a cold beer on the outdoor patio at the Sierra Tap House.
Lied Library, Paradise
The Lied (pronounced “leed”) Library is the main library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The library opened on January 8, 2001, and was named in honor of Ernest Lied, founder of the Lied Charitable Trust, whose donation made the construction of the library possible. The library was a much-needed upgrade for UNLV, whose very first library was located in a section of the auditorium at Las Vegas High School in 1955, cobbled together from 1,800 donated books. In the ensuing years, the library relocated to several other buildings but was constantly outgrowing the space allocated to it.
The building’s design is modern and sleek, comprising 302,000 square feet and five stories tall, and is equipped with an automated storage and retrieval system featuring robotic cranes that can store and retrieve over one million volumes. The Lied Library houses the world’s most extensive collection of gaming materials, books, and visual materials on the history of gaming, including architectural designs of past, current, and never-built casinos.
The library’s location on the UNLV campus means there’s no shortage of things to do. After checking out the library, head over to the inclusive and community-centered Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, the only free art museum in the city of Las Vegas, or explore the Donald H. Baepler Xeric Garden, a garden featuring drought-tolerant desert plant species.
Tonopah Public Library, Tonopah
Built in 1906, the Tonopah Public Library is the third public library in Nevada, established during the height of the silver boom when small towns like Tonopah needed cultural institutions like libraries to serve the families of miners. The one-story stone masonry building was designed by John J. Hill and is not a Carnegie-funded library. Instead, the library was entirely built through fundraising events sponsored by Marjorie Moore, a San Francisco socialite who led Nevada’s women’s suffrage movement.
The library’s collection of nearly 10,000 books serves a population of approximately 2,600 residents in the small, boom-and-bust mining town, once known as the “Queen of the Silver Camps.” The Tonopah Public Library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Instead of becoming a ghost town like nearby Rhyolite, Tonopah reinvented itself as a tourist destination, widely known for the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, historic hotels such as the Mizpah (also known as the “Jewel of the Desert”), the Belvada, and the infamous Tonopah Clown Motel, all worth visiting after the library.
Sparks Museum & Culture Center, Sparks
The original Sparks branch of the Washoe County Library is the oldest surviving government building in Sparks, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The Mediterranean Revival-style building was designed by renowned Nevada architect Frederick J. DeLongchamps and built in 1931. DeLongchamps is credited with designing more public buildings in Nevada than any other architect, especially courthouses and libraries, including the Washoe County Courthouse, the Elko County Courthouse, and the Reno Carnegie Free Public Library.
When it opened in 1931, the second floor housed the Sparks Branch Library, while the Sparks Justice Center occupied the lower floor. In 1965, the library relocated to a newer building, and the Justice Center took over the entire building. Today, the historic building is the Sparks Museum & Culture Center, where you’ll find a small archival research library, perhaps a tribute to the original building’s roots. After spending time indoors at the museum, head outdoors and enjoy the hiking trails around the 77-acre Helm Lake at the Sparks Marina Park, or try the slots at the entertainment icon in Sparks, the Nugget Casino.
Nevada’s iconic libraries are as varied and vibrant as the state itself. From Sin City’s massive Clark County Library District with its 25 branches, theaters, and galleries, to Reno’s striking Downtown Library, a tree-filled 1966 landmark, complete with an underground bomb shelter. On the UNLV campus, the modern Lied Library boasts robotic storage and the world’s largest gaming studies collection. Meanwhile, in Sparks, the original 1931 Sparks Branch endures as the Sparks Museum & Cultural Center, reconnecting Nevada’s library story to its architectural and cultural roots.
