The idea to establish a library, to provide a room for reading and games for the local young people, came about in 1896, when Iowa City had already existed for fifty-seven years.
Over the years, the library moved or modified its location five times: in 1901, to 212 East College Street; in 1904, to a Carnegie library at 212 South Linn Street; in 1963, when an addition was added to the Carnegie library; and in 1981, to 123 South Linn Street.