was founded in 1913 with a beginning collection of fewer than 200 volumes. Today, Fondren Library is a modern research library with over 2 million volumes, 2.9 million microforms, and 33,200 current serials and periodicals. The scope of Fondren Library's collection is broad with excellent coverage in art, architecture, history, literature, music, philosophy, languages, economics, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.

The library is also a selective depository for U.S. and Texas government publications and for U.S. patents and trademarks. The Fondren Library is also home to the GIS/Data Center, which provides library users with access to GIS software and supporting hardware, to data resources, and to print and digital map resources. The Electronic Resources Center houses equipment that supports the creation and use of digital resources for teaching, learning, and research by providing students, faculty, and staff access to electronic texts and scholarly databases, web development tools, and expert consultation.