The Datong Library Yudong New Branch is situated west of Wenyin Lake Wetland Park. Designed collaboratively by Professor Cohen, Head of the Department of Architecture at Harvard University, and the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, it forms part of Datong's Cultural Centre Project. Construction commenced in September 2010, with trial operations beginning in November 2018. The building spans a floor area of 22,000 square metres on a site covering 8,733 square metres. The five-storey structure rises to a total height of 30 metres, comprising four above-ground levels and one basement level. The structure employs a steel frame-concrete cylinder construction system, designed to withstand seismic intensity of seven degrees. It is configured to house approximately 600,000 volumes and accommodate 5,000 readers simultaneously.

The City Library has consistently centred its operations around reading and exchange, embracing an inclusive ethos and innovative services dedicated to cultural preservation. It remains open to all readers across the city.

The library currently features multiple reading zones including: the Book Wall, Social Sciences Collection, Natural Sciences Collection, New Arrivals Reading Area, Youth Reading Collection, Children's Literature Collection, Parent-Child Picture Book Room, Periodicals Reading Room, and Braille Reading Room. Additionally, it houses six special collections: the Great Wall Documentation Research Centre, Ancient Texts Collection, Local Literature Reading Room, Gazetteer Museum, Study Bookroom, and Northern Wei Dynasty Documentation Museum.

The design concept for the Yudong New Library draws inspiration from the Yungang Grottoes. These grottoes stand as an artistic treasure trove bearing witness to the seamless fusion of traditional Chinese culture with imported cultural influences. Datong Library is an exhilarating structure that recreates the spatial essence of Yungang from within. While continuing the profound cultural lineage originating from the foothills of Mount Wuzhou, its unparalleled sculptural quality presents a unique posture embracing modern life and serving contemporary citizens. 

The library's façade, courtyard and central hall evoke the spatial experience of the Yungang Grottoes. Stone cladding adorns the building's exterior, lending both solemn grandeur and a cultural ambience that complements civic activities. The courtyard offers a tranquil retreat for rest and study, while the central hall presents an indoor spectacle constructed from books, transforming the library into a cultural temple for learning and social engagement. The main reading area forms a striking hall encircled by bookshelves arranged along a ramp. Here, visitors may both enjoy reading spaces and explore the library's collections. The spiralling, forest-like shelving creates an engaging interior landscape while echoing the outdoor courtyard. The main reading room's adaptable, open-plan space ideally accommodates diverse needs for study, education, and social engagement. While showcasing its rich spatial forms, the library emphasises its distinctive interior landscape, presenting a rhythmically unfolding sequence.

The basement level of the library houses the staff canteen and a recreational and fitness activity area. The establishment of this recreational and fitness zone aims to cultivate a harmonious leisure environment for staff beyond working hours, thereby advancing the library's cultural development. It encourages active participation in diverse cultural and sporting activities, enriches the spiritual lives of our staff, and showcases the library's positive image.