Its mission is to act as "guardian of the collective intellectual heritage with regard to the science, technology, and engineering disciplines."

The library's William N. Deramus III Cosmology Theater, temporarily closed since 2020, shows images of the cosmos from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA science missions.

"The Tazza", one of the largest pieces of malachite in North America, stands as the focal point in the center of the main reading room, which features parquet wood floors, paneling and bookshelves of oak, and large windows that overlook the south lawn.

[4] It was initially established by the purchase of the 62,358 books and other items—assembled by John Adams before he became president—that had belonged to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

[5] The arboretum and gardens are further embellished by beds of viburnum, tree peonies and Missouri native woodland plants.