1896 - The Havana Public Library is established by tax referenda within the City of Havana by petition of concerned citizens from the community spearheaded by members of the U & I Club (Utilities & Interest Club), members of the Beethoven Club, and ladies of the Chautauqua Circle.

1898 - The Library opens in the West Room of City Hall on the corner of Orange and Market Streets.

1901 - Groundbreaking for new library building at the corner of Plum and Adams Streets.

1902 - New Building opens after one and one half years of construction at a cost of $32,000 ($8,000 of the total being given to the library from the Carnegie Foundation).

1937 - An addition is added to the library due to the generosity of Horace Parkins, who leaves a bequest to the library in honor of his parents establishing an endowment to be used for building purposes. The addition increases the space in the library by over one third and changes the entrance from Plum Street to Adams Street.

1991 - The Havana Public Library becomes the Havana Public Library District. The library district encompasses virtually the same territorial area as the Havana School District.