This three-story Greek Revival temple of Turkey Creek sandstone was designed by a New York architect and funded in part by a $200,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. The main north facade is fronted by giant Corinthian columns culminating in a dentiled cornice. Square pilasters back the columns and continue around the building to divide fenestration bays under a truncated hipped roof. Since the library moved across Civic Center in 1956, the interior has been awkwardly remodeled to accommodate city agencies.