As a department within Gelman Library, the Media Resources Department maintains and circulates the audio/video collection of the University. It is also responsible for supporting and assisting patrons in the use of two media classrooms and a student viewing/listening room on the lower level of the library. The head of the department reports to the Associate University Librarian for Information Services for Public Services.

Before 1979 it was known as the Audiovisual Department, and also used to house microfilms of newspapers and magazines. It also housed the Television News Study Center (which existed from 1979-87), which included abstracts of television news programs from the Vanderbilt University and CBS News archives, among others.

The George Washington University's Melvin Gelman Library opened in 1973. Before the Gelman Library (which received its current name in 1980), the University Library was located in Lisner Hall, formerly Lisner Library. When the University moved to Foggy Bottom in 1912 from its location on 15th and H Streets, N.W., the first library was located in the original Lisner Hall, the former St. Rose's School for Orphaned Girls, between 20th and 21st Streets on G Street. Other libraries include the Virginia Campus Library (established n 1990), and the Mount Vernon Campus Eckles Library (under GW control since 1997). Together, these three libraries form the Gelman Library System (GLS).

The Library is headed by a University Librarian, who oversees: the Assistant University Librarian, Administration, Development, and Personnel; Associate University Librarian for Collections Services; Associate University Librarian for Information Technology; Associate University Librarian for Public Services; Directors of the Mt. Vernon and Virginia Campus libraries, and the Manager of GLS (Gelman Library System) Financial Operations.