 The Neoclassical style building was built in 1931–1934 to a design by James Gamble Rogers

Butler was built in 1931–1934 and was designed by James Gamble Rogers in the Neoclassical style.The new library was funded by Edward Harkness, a Columbia alumnus who was also donor of Yale's residential college system and Harvard's houses.Originally called "South Hall", in 1946 it was renamed for Nicholas Murray Butler, the president of Columbia University from 1902–1945.