The W. Frank Steely Library is a major educational resource for NKU and the surrounding community. The building was originally completed in 1975, but underwent a major expansion in 1994-95 at a cost of $10,145,254 giving a total investment in this facility of $15,450,070. It currently has 141,665 gross square feet on five floors (87,639 gsf original, 54,026 gsf expansions). Called "the center jewel of the campus", the Steely Library has received considerable publicity due to its unique architectural and interior design. In the fall of 2000, the office suite for the Dean of Arts and Sciences was relocated from the BEP Center to the fourth floor of the Library.

Steely Library Contains 600.000 editions of books, movies, newspapers and other research materials and one of our many computer labs (free for student-use) located in the Atrium on the third floor, alongside Ritazza Cafe

Steely Library is named in honor of the first president of Northern Kentucky University, Dr. W. Frank Steely.