The library building is characterized by its striking cross shape in floor plan, with a central main wing and two smaller cantilevers on the long sides. The façade is made of exposed concrete, complemented by large glass sections that are rhythmized by beton brise soleils. These vertical concrete struts are reminiscent of books lined up in rows, which emphasizes the building's function as a library.

In 2015, planning began for a new downtown library, as the Brutalist building was deemed too outdated for the library's current operations. The demolition of the building by Schaefer Schirmer & Eflin Architects was also discussed. The library building was closed in 2018. In 2020, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places thanks to the dedicated initiative of local residents. From February 2021 to April 2022, the building housed a COVID-19 vaccination clinic operated by the borough. No plans for further usage are currently known.

This building was included in the red list, published in our exhibition catalog SOS Brutalism: A Global Survey (September 2017). After a status review on September 26, 2024, it was reclassified in the online database from red (endangered) to red-blue (endangered and listed).