The EVPL also supplements the services provided by the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and has the authority to approve the tax levy of the independently run and operated Willard Library.

[6] It was funded through a newpenny tax and located in the former German Reformed Church building at the corner of Seventh and Vine Streets.

Historians have described the Evansville survey as "exceptional for its time", because it relied neither on impressionistic observations nor on indirect sources like circulation records.

In 2013, the EVPL purchased land nearby from the Evansville Rescue Mission, further expanding the Central Library footprint.

The Central Library also features the Indiana Room, which contains volumes of information on Evansville history in addition to a large, indexed clipping file that can be used for local research.

After the Evansville Press ceased publication on December 31, 1998, it donated its archives jointly to the EVPL and Willard Library.

Land between Bayard Park and the Chandler Avenue School was purchased for the east side library from the school board with money raised by Bayard Park residents through popular subscription and by a generous contribution from one of Evansville's own industrialists and benefactors, Major Albert Carl Rosencranz (1842–1920), owner of Vulcan Plow Works.

Construction on both $25,000 buildings began in summer 1911 on plans prepared by Carnegie-approved architects Clifford Shopbell & Company of Evansville.

The Shopbell interpretation featured a rectangular red brick structure, based on a foundation of dressed Indiana limestone and lavished with classically inspired, cream-colored terra cotta ornamentation from Chicago.

Each sits in a park-like setting and has meeting rooms, public access computers, and adult and youth areas.

Named in honor of Ethel McCollough, the first Director of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, the branch is located behind Washington Square Mall.

It replaced an 11,000 square foot 1960's building that was donated to Holly's House, a child and adult advocacy center for victims of intimate crimes.

North park also has an active book discussion program, reflecting popular, mystery, and classic genres.

Oaklyn Branch opened in spring 2003, replacing the former location in an old school building at the corner of Oak Hill and Lynch Roads.

Stringtown underwent a major renovation in 2003 that included new lighting, flooring, computer carrels, and rest rooms.