A competition for the design of the building was won by architect William Henry Lynn in 1883 and it was built by H & J Martin builders.

[1] Designed to reflect the ambitions of the growing city of Belfast, its architecture is a fine example of a public building at the height of the Victorian age.

On a black granite base, the Dumfries red sandstone exterior with a slightly Italianate feel, houses a three-floor interior with a sweeping staircase, a pillared foyer, and a fine domed first-floor reading room.

It survived undamaged through the Belfast Blitz of World War II and the Troubles of the late 20th century.

[6] Northern Ireland Screen has also placed an access point to their Digital Film Archive in the Lending Library.