The library was established on 27 October 1951 as a pilot project sponsored by UNESCO and the Government of India.

In February 1950 the Indian Government and UNESCO agreed to initiate the project, and the library was officially opened on 27 October 1951, by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The library buildings were acquired between 1951 and 1953, with operations formally transferred from UNESCO to the Indian Government in 1955.

The library provides training facilities to both student librarians and social education workers and has done so from its early days.

It is increasingly felt that the library should not merely serve as a centre for lending books, but should also grow as a robust organization devoted to promote intellectual pursuits and create community rapport among its readers.