University of New Mexico Libraries is celebrating the three million volumes in its collection with a rare book on Billy the Kid.
The 1892 book, donated by the William A. Keleher Family, was written by Pat Garrett, the Lincoln County Sheriff who shot and killed the famous outlaw. The book is signed by Garrett and will become part of the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections at University Libraries.
Mike Kelly, associate dean for Scholarly Resources, Special Collections, says the rare book represents the essence of southwestern historical literature and is a tangible piece of the state's culture.
UNM began collecting books in 1892 when the library consisted of one room in the only building on campus. The collection is now spread throughout four libraries on the main campus.