The Library was established at the end of the 19th century in support of the activities of the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe degli Uffizi, under the direction of Pasquale Nerino Ferri, author of the first catalogs of its drawings and prints holdings. Connected as it is to the larger Library of the Uffizi it represents an indepth specialization specific to the graphic arts. Among its rare titles (Fondo Rari) the Library possesses catalogs, Ferri's personal copies, interleaved with his handwritten proposed art object attributions. The Library's manuscript collection (Fondo Manoscritti) estimated at 250 holdings includes registers, autographs, and work records regarding the reorganization of the patrimony of art objects.
An estimated 20,000 titles are held by the Library. Its collections of art-related monographs and offprints, exhibition and museum catalogs, art auction catalogs and specialized reference works are constantly being updated with new material.