The Library contains the principal rare books and literary manuscripts of Yale University and serves as a center for research by students, faculty, and other serious readers, whether connected with Yale or not. Materials do not circulate, but may be used in the reading room on the court level.

The building and its endowment are the gift of Edwin J. Beinecke, Yale 1907; Frederick W.Beinecke, Yale 1909S; Walter Beinecke, Yale 1910; and their families.

The building, of Vermont marble and granite, bronze and glass, was designed by Gordon Bunshaft, of the firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill; the George A. Fuller Construction Company was the general contractor. The translucent marble panes of the exterior are one and one-quarter inches thick. The courtyard sculptures are by Isamu Noguchi, and represent the earth (pyramid), the sun (circle), and chance (Cube).