Bailey Library is the intellectual, interdisciplinary center of the university. The strength of the library is a reflection of Slippery Rock University's ongoing commitment to education and research, and Bailey Library is an active partner in the education mission of Slippery Rock University. 

The library provides the SRU Community with access to a myriad of physical and digital academic resources, technologies, and study spaces. The library's robust physical and digital collections include books, audiovisual recordings, government documents, journals, magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals, many of which are accessed via the library's digital databases and are accessible on and off campus. The library also functions as a computer center, with over 300 desktop and laptop computers available for student use. The library and its dedicated faculty and staff develop and support community-engaged learning and information-literate learners, as well as providing subject specialist librarians available to help anyone with research questions or other reference inquiries.

The library is also home to a variety of other student-centered services such as the Technology Learning Center, as well as offices including Career Education & Development, the Tutoring Center, the Writing Center, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office for Community-Engaged Learning, and other offices related to the University's Transformational Experiences division.