New facilities included a "treasure room" to hold rare books and special collections and separate spaces for graduate and undergraduate work.

[4] Under George Lynn Cross, the University's seventh president, a 1958 addition effectively tripled the size of the structure.

The library is historically significant for its association with the racial desegregation court case of George McLaurin, a retired black professor who applied to the university to pursue a doctorate in education.

McLaurin was at first denied admission to the university solely on the basis of race, in accordance with Oklahoma law at the time.

After a court ruling, he was admitted, but under the separate but equal doctrine he was given a desk in the mezzanine of this building, rather than being allowed use of the regular reading room.