The Solari staircase is the circular staircase serving as focal point for the south end of the Knight Library. The step lights on this staircase have faces representing various historical, literary, and library figures. The Solari staircase is named for Mary Corrigan Solari, a 1946 graduate of the UO, and her husband, Richard Solari. The Solaris contributed to the Knight Library's expansion and renovation project. The Knight Library offers a large collection of art works commissioned at the time of the recent library expansion.
Art work is available on the exterior of the original building as well as on the recent addition.
The original part of the Knight Library was constructed in 1937. Additions to the building were made in 1950 and 1966. The latest addition to the building added 132,000 square feet in 1992. Following the completion of this addition, a substantial remodel of the existing building was finished in 1994.