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UNR Library Expanding Its Harry Reid Collection

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Alexa Ard

The University of Nevada, Reno will be getting more than 2,000 boxes of documents chronicling Senator Harry Reid's decades-long career in Washington. 

The university already has about 30 boxes of documents from Reid's time as a congressman. But it's expecting hundreds more, along with three terabytes of digital information, when Reid's Senate career ends in 2017. 

Library officials say the collection will help illuminate major political decisions over the years, including the response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the passage of Obamacare.

While here in studio last month, Reid reflected on his time in Congress:

"I've enjoyed every minute of my career. I wish I didn't have to leave, but I need to leave because I want to be remembered for my first 34 years and not my last six. And I'm going to do everything I can this next year and a half or so to continue working hard, so I have a lot to do yet before I leave."

Most of the collection that UNR will receive is now being held in government storage lockers in Maryland. Officials say a portion of the documents will remain confidential for at least 15 years after Reid retires.

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Michelle Billman is a former news director at KUNR Public Radio.