It is a Grade II listed building and a Winnipeg Landmark Heritage Structure.

[3] Designed by the architect S. Frank Peters, the plans had to be approved by Carnegie's personal secretary, James Bertram, to assure money was not wasted on exterior ornamentation at the expense of book shelves and furniture.

[4] The library is located at 20 West Gate in Cornish Park[4] on a small piece of land at one of the entrances to Armstrong's Point, near the Maryland Bridge.

[4] The Library underwent a renovation in 2019-20[8] that included the addition of an all-glass reading area and improved accessibility from the main entrance.

[9] The library, 430 square metres (4,600 sq ft) in size, was built in keeping with Andrew Carnegie's specifications, being of a simple plan that was characterized by classical details, fenestration and modest interior appointments.

A carved entablature includes the words: "PUBLIC LIBRARY", "CORNISH BRANCH", and "A.D. 1914".

The pediment on top of the rear pavilion has an oculus with decorative brick and stone detailing.

[6] The collections are situated on the main floor while the basement has a program room that seats 60 people.

[11] The Canadian novelist, prohibitionist, and women's rights and reform movement activist Nellie McClung lectured at the Cornish Library.