It was built in 1930 based on a Gothic Revival design by architect John C. Austin, also noted as the lead architect of the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Masonic Temple.

The library includes a large heraldic work of stained glass created by the artists at Judson Studios.

[3] The application noted that the branch libraries had been constructed in a variety of period revival styles to house the initial branch library system of the City of Los Angeles.

In the movie, Bedtime Stories, starring Adam Sandler, this library serves as the children's elementary school.

The library relocated to office space near John Burroughs Middle School in the interim.