The Cathedral agreed in 1701 to provide a plot of land for a library adjacent to the archbishop's palace, but building work only commenced in 1703.

Thomas Burgh designed an extension of the library wing and entrance porch a few years later in 1710 following Robinson's disgrace for unrelated financial impropriety and return to England.

[2] Dr. Elias Bouhereau, a Huguenot refugee from La Rochelle who fled from France after the Revocation of the edict of Nantes, was the first librarian or Keeper, and also donated his personal library.

[6] Subjects covered include medicine, law, science, travel, navigation, mathematics, music, surveying and classical literature, and especially theology.

[8] Many of Marsh's personal collection of Hebrew works as well as oriental texts were purchased from the estate of the Edward Stillingfleet (1635–1699), a Protestant clergyman and lecturer.

1400, as well as 16th century madrigals and other musical pieces, and manuscripts on theological, legal and medical matters.

In some of the bookcases there are bullet holes from the Easter Rising when Jacob's Biscuit factory next door was occupied.

Researchers are admitted free of charge, but must apply in advance to reserve a place in the Reading Room.

As a charitable institution the library accepts donations, which are recorded in a special ledger which dates back to 1707.

The Library has an active social media presence, and every day posts at least one image from the collections on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.