The library was built in the 1970s to the designs of the Glasgow architects Gillespie, Kidd & Coia, and was officially opened in July 1976. Previously the library collections were housed first in the 'old library', now part of the Senior Common Room, and then from 1955 in the adjacent Goddard Building.
Over the summer of 2013 the library entrance area, including the staff counter, was reconfigured to a design by Montgomery Architects. During these works, a disabled-access toilet was also added to the library.
