Mary Sue Ferrell University Ephemera Collection

Mary Sue Ferrell moved to Reno, Nevada with her family from Colorado while she was in high school. As a high school student, she worked in the University of Nevada, Reno's Getchell Library as part of the Teenage Opportunity Program during the summer in the late 1960s. Because of this opportunity, Ferrell decided to attend college at UNR, where she worked in Getchell Library while pursuing her degree in history; she graduated in 1971. Her time spent working in Getchell greatly influenced her decision to pursue a career as a librarian. In the fall of 1971, she relocated to the University of Kentucky to pursue her Master's in Library Science.

Ferrell's first job as a professional librarian was working for and heading up the library at Western Nevada Community College. Eventually her career took her to California, where she worked as the Executive Director of the California Library Association until she retired. Ferrell continued to support UNR's University Libraries over the years through philanthropy. Her donations boosted the Libraries' ability to create programs and exhibits that enhance the college experience of those attending UNR.