At 78,000 square feet (7,200 m2), it is the first "green" library in New York City with LEED Silver certification; it also has three times as much space as its predecessor.

This building cost an estimated $50 million and is characterized by the sloping curve of its roof and the extensive glass curtain wall on the eastern elevation of the facade.

The building is designed for the digital technology and social/civic functions as well as for books; it contains reading areas, a 150-person auditorium, computer rooms, staff offices, conference rooms, and a public gallery/gathering area, divided among the floors: The library also offers classes to the community including financial and career services to help people manage their money and improve their resume-writing in the pursuit of jobs.

Water-treated Minnesota red granite panels are used on the rest of the facade and also extend into the interior of the library on the fourth floor towards the terrace.

While the public areas are lit by the glazing on the front elevation, skylights above staff offices in the building's rear provide daylight for library workers.

Patrons are expected to move through the library from back to front; from the stairs, through the stacks, and finally to the lounging and reading areas that are situated along the curtain wall.

This floor surface is extended to other areas of the building in contrast with the terrazzo and carpeting that weather the high foot traffic hardily.

Photocell sensors on the ceilings react to daylight levels and automatically change electric lighting intensities accordingly to save energy used.

As immigrants (primarily of Irish, Italian and Jewish heritage) moved into the Bronx from Manhattan, they used the library to learn to read and write English and become acclimated to American culture.

[6] Compared to main branch libraries in the other outer boroughs, the Bronx building was significantly smaller taking up only three floors at a total of roughly 27,500 square feet.

It would remain a welcoming place of learning for a new generation of immigrants primarily from the Caribbean and Latin America with Spanish being the new dominant language.

In addition to providing a broadly accepted form of identification, there are numerous benefits including free, one-year membership to museums and cultural institutions, and discounts at participating retailers.