It is located at 695 Main Street in a Richardsonian Romanesque building, whose 1901–03 construction was funded by a bequest from Napoleon Bonaparte Gale, a local banker.

The building was designed by Boston architect Charles Brigham, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[2] Gale Memorial Library is located on the north side of downtown Laconia, occupying a generous landscaped parcel at the northeast corner of Main and Church streets.

[2] Laconia's public library was authorized by the town in 1878 and opened in 1879 in a downtown commercial space.

Executed in brick and with simpler styling, it is sited to leave major views of the original building intact.