The National Park Service's
National Historic Landmarks database describes the Columbia University Low Memorial Library building as follows:
Built in 1895-97, this building is one of the most important Neo-Classical structures in America and is one of architect Charles Folen McKim's masterpieces. The Library was the first major building erected on the present Columbia University site and was conceived as the visual and academic focal point of the campus plan. This campus design is today recognized as a classic of Beaux Arts planning principles.
The granite dome is the largest in the country. Although called the Low Memorial Library, the building is now used for Administrative Offices, and the President and Provost are located there.
When I traveled to New York City for the first time with the International Affairs Seminar in the Spring of 1990, we visited the Columbia University campus. Here's how the building appeared then:
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