[2] The library is a nine-story, Pueblo Revival style building constructed from reinforced concrete, brick, and structural clay tile.

The original 1938 section of the library consists of a great hall, five reading rooms, and the central nine-story stack tower, which was designed to hold 225,000 volumes.

The interior trim and furnishings were handmade by local artisans employed by the WPA, including hand-carved corbels, vigas, and heating register covers, wrought-iron banisters, door handles, and gates, and punched-tin light fixtures.

To the east of the original section are two additions, completed in 1966 and 1973 respectively, which brought the total size of the library to approximately 224,000 square feet (20,800 m2).

[6] In the days following the disaster, the University Libraries (UL) staff relied on their emergency plans and developed protocols with the intent to recover as much of the material as possible.