In 1905 the University of Utah’s Board of Regents expanded Richard Kletting’s original commons plan into the present horseshoe arrangement. Between 1900 and 1935, nine buildings were built on the horseshoe, the Thomas Library being the last. These nine buildings, the Presidents’ Circle, were a major architectural statement chronicling the development of the University into an important educational institution. Situated in a closed grouping they are more united and distinctive than later University construction (Heritage Conservation).

The George Thomas Library is of concrete construction, making it unusual in its time. In fact, prior to the decision to build in concrete, Raymond Ashton and President Thomas visited California to evaluate concrete buildings. The concrete (cast stone) decision was made only after long debate at several University Regents’ meetings concerning the relative merits of cast stone versus terra cotta. The building design is stylistically eclectic in order to blend with its already existing neighbors on the Presidents Circle. The front entrance is reminiscent of the Second Renaissance Revival. The Neo-Classical cornices reflect the Park Building. As many of the A&E buildings done during this period, the building has exquisite details: the stair rail, the birdseye marble (found only in Utah County) in the foyer, dark oak woodwork and walls, and 1930s style cornices (Heritage Conservation).

The library was funded by the Federal Public Works Administration and was – at the time – the second most expensive building project in Utah behind only the Utah State Capital. The contemporaneous student newspaper calls it “one of the most up to date libraries in the country.” The three-story building had a seating capacity of 1200 persons and a stack capacity of 200,000 books with provisions for expansion. Facilities included an engineering library, the university press, the medical library, the “treasure room,” and a lecture room (New library to be open). The Thomas Building was converted into the Utah Museum of Natural History in 1968 and then to the Crocker Science Center in 2017. The external design and many of the internal design elements were retained during the conversions.