In 2009, during Professor Tsung-Dao Lee's trip to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, he decided to donate to SJTU his personal manuscripts, letters, works of art integrating science & art, Nobel Prize medal,, along with his family property near SJTU Xuhui campus in Shanghai.

In 2010, Professor Lee and Shanghai Jiao Tong University reached a consensus on personal donation matters.

In September 2011, the Ministry of Education approved the construction project of Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library.

In October 2011, the Expert Review Meeting for the Construction Project of the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library was held, during which the new library was conceived as a “five-in-one library.”

In 2012, the design plan for the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library was determined.

In April 2013, the Tsung Dao (T.D) LEE Archives Online（http://tdLee.sjtu.edu.cn/） was put into use.

In July 2013, the construction of Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library officially started.

In August 2013, the SJTU T.D. Lee Science and Art Lecture Fund was established.

On December 28, 2014, the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library was unveiled on the SJTU Minhang Campus.

In 2015, the work of the Hui-Chun Chin and Tsung Dao Lee Endowment Program Commission was officially transferred to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, with the Secretariat located in the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library.

In 2017, the virtual library system of the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library was launched.

In 2018, the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library was recognized as the “Shanghai Science Popularization Education Base.”

In 2019, a special design and integration project was launched to enhance the Cultural and museum capabilities of the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library.

In 2021, the Tsung Dao (T.D) Lee Library updated the permanent exhibition, adding spaces such as Tsung-Dao Lee's Study, Artwork Stacks, Science Education Zone, and Nobel Corner.

In 2022, the national exhibition with the theme of “Approaching Tsung-Dao Lee” officially started.