One of the newest exhibits on display in Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) is First in the Nation: A History of the Costo Library. 

This exhibit offers a deeply personal and historical look at the Rupert Costo Library of the American Indian. Curated by Sandy Enriquez, Special Collections Public Services Outreach and Community Engagement Librarian, the exhibit reflects the lifelong dedication of Rupert and Jeanette Costo to activism, scholarship, and the preservation of Native American heritage. The exhibit is on display through the end of winter quarter 2025 in the Costo Library, located on the 4th floor of the Tomás Rivera Library in SCUA.

Enriquez curated the exhibit, while Christian Bean, the UCR Library’s Conservator, carried out the physical installation. Together, they created an experience that highlights the Costos’ enduring legacy. One standout feature is a rare photograph of a young Rupert Costo holding a bundle of quail. This image is paired with his short story, Song of the Quail, which tells the story of a young Cahuilla boy on a journey of self-discovery. “Seeing it in juxtaposition with Costo's photograph, it really feels like you can trace where the inspiration for this story might have come from,” Enriquez said.

The exhibit’s opening reception earlier this month brought the community together in a meaningful way. Guided tours allowed attendees to explore the exhibit in-depth while engaging with Native faculty, students, and community members. Sandy expressed her gratitude to Dr. Clifford Trafzer, Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs, and William Madrigal, doctoral student and Cahuilla language professor, for their input on the exhibit and reception. A particularly touching moment was the attendance of Mara Costo, Rupert Costo’s niece, and her family. The event also generated enthusiasm among Native faculty and community members to digitize the Costo Library dedication cassette tapes, reinforcing the library’s commitment to preserving and sharing Indigenous histories.

Enriquez hopes visitors will leave with a deeper understanding of the Costo Library’s significance. “The Costo Library is not just a study space; it is the physical manifestation of a lifetime of activism, scholarship, and foresight from the Costos. This is an important part of UCR’s history that we should not forget or overlook,” she said.

This exhibit also reflects the broader mission of the Costo Library: to serve as a hub for rigorous research in Native American Studies. Enriquez envisions this as the first of many future exhibits in the space, each continuing the legacy of the Costos by fostering public scholarship and advancing knowledge.

Through First in the Nation, UCR honors the Costos’ invaluable contributions to the field of Native American Studies. The exhibit invites visitors to engage with a history that remains deeply relevant today.