Books written by and about influential campus figures, maps from before the existence of many residence halls and sheet music to the MSU fight song sit in the cases, providing insight into the people and places that helped shape the university.

The three exhibits run through May and are part of MSU's sesquicentennial celebration, a yearlong event that marks the 150th birthday of MSU.

"We are celebrating the sesquicentennial campuswide, so it's only natural that the library would want to be a part of that," said Anita Ezzo, a food science and technology librarian and library exhibits coordinator.

Ezzo produced the exhibit called "MSU 150: People, Places, Publications," which is located on the second floor of the Main Library's west wing. It showcases books written by 12 former professors and MSU figures, who all have campus buildings named after them, as well as information cards and photographs of each of the individuals.

"Students know these buildings - they see them all the time - but people may not know who these people are," Ezzo said. "That was really the intent."

Several librarians put the exhibits together, independent of the official sesquicentennial committee, said Sue Carter, chairwoman of the committee.

"What's wonderful is so many people are doing remarkable things about the sesquicentennial, of their own volition," Carter said. "People are creating great projects."

The third floor features an exhibit that shows several maps, ranging in size, which include everything from a 1989 East Lansing map to a 1940 map showing Michigan State College bridle trails.

On the fourth floor is an exhibit dealing with art and music throughout MSU's history.

Some of the highlights in the art display case include an archived photo from 1923 of the excavation of the site where the Union currently stands. An article describing how the stained glass windows in the Alumni Memorial Chapel were made also is featured.

A lot of the artwork and artifacts that were displayed in the art section of the exhibit came from a file of clippings, brochures and other items that focus on art, said Terrie Wilson, an art librarian who helped form the art exhibit.

Part of the display focuses on artwork created during the Depression through a federal program set up by Franklin D. Roosevelt. A statue at the entrance near Abbott Road, which says "Michigan Agricultural College," was created during that time.

"There's quite a bit of architecture out there," Wilson said.

In the music case, a CD called "Christmas at Beaumont Tower" sits with photos from old theater productions.

"It's quite a range of material," said Mary Black Junttonen, a music librarian who helped create the music exhibit. "People are interested in the many different ways music has been used and performed on campus."

Junttonen said she has been coming to campus since she was about 4 years old. Her father helped move the library from the MSU Museum to its current location across the street.

"My family has a long association with MSU," she said. "I do see myself as part of that history of the campus. Putting this exhibit together was fun for me."