A group of determined, energetic, and practical women was the sparkplug for the Garden City Public Library. After a proposition to establish a public library had been defeated at the polls in 1949, these women decided to organize a library and prove to the community what an asset it could be. They formed the Garden City Library Committee, and took an adult education course in librarianship during the summer of 1951 to prepare themselves to operate a library.

Merchants and community organizations donated materials, furnishings, and many hours of labor to refurbish the white clapboard house at the east end of Seventh Street that the village had lent to the committee as the library's first home. Cake sales, an auction, and a membership drive were among the fund-raising events to provide for books, repairs, and equipment. Opening day, May 4, 1952, was a proud moment, although the book collection was well under 10,000 volumes and a circulation of 75 books was a busy day indeed. Mrs. Frances Hinsch was the librarian.

This tradition of community generosity in terms of gifts and services has been perpetuated throughout the history of the library. Many members of the original Garden City Committee ultimately formed the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, Inc., and the Garden City Exchange began its successful career on the front porch of the little house on Seventh Street. The Exchange, which later moved to Hilton Avenue, closed in 2004.

The enthusiasm generated by the fledgling library was the precursor of a successful referendum on March 15, 1955, which made the Library an official part of the municipal structure of the Village of Garden City, effective June 1, 1956. This meant that the Library would be supported with public funds and governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Village Board. That June, Miss Jacqueline Danelle became the library director.

When the Village took title to the former office building of the Garden City Company in 1957, suitable alterations were made; a wing was added and subsequently furnished by the Friends of the Library in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George L. Hubbell, Sr. These seemingly ample quarters were dedicated on December 14, 1958.

In March of 1959, Miss Frances Hale was appointed library director. The granting of a permanent charter to the Library by the Board of Regents in 1962 was a cause for great rejoicing.

No one could have anticipated the knowledge explosion that took place in the next decade or the challenging new patterns of living and library usage that emerged. As Garden City used its library more and more heavily, the need became acute for a building constructed specifically for library purposes and far more spacious than ever before envisioned.

On February 23, 1971 residents of the Village of Garden City approved a bond issue to construct a new building of 38,000 square feet (nearly four times larger than the existing structure), to house a library appropriate to the cultural, educational and recreational needs of the community. This handsome building was dedicated September 30, 1973. Today the Library has over 160,000 holdings.

The present director, Mr. Alan G. Roeckel, was appointed in 1985. Under his tenure, the library has come into the electronic age, with an computerized catalog and other online databases available to patrons at various points within the building and remotely via the Library website.

The current renovation project calls for the conversion of a storage area on the lower level of the Library into an Audio-Visual Room and a Computer Lab with more than 20 Internet workstations. In addition, the project includes renovating the lobby, enlarging the Young Adult Department, refurbishing the Adult Lounge into a Periodical/Reading Room, and creating a larger Quiet Study area.