The building was designed by Houston architect John F. Staub and was notable for its open stack arrangement and art deco influence in the architecture.

This gift allowed for additional space planning including the building in 2004 of the Library Service Center, a high-density offsite shelving facility that houses less-used materials in a climate-controlled environment.

In 2005-06, Fondren underwent an extensive renovation creating access through the entire library, a new first-floor Hobby Information commons, and a Rice-only study space on the sixth floor with dynamic views of the campus.

Other subject areas include American Civil War history, hip hop/rap music-related materials from the Swishahouse record label,[4] science, and literary authors with Rice connections.

Woodson also contains substantial materials related to the composer Francis Poulenc, the biologist Julian Huxley, and the Houston businessman and politician Jesse H. Jones.