[1] The library was initially installed in 1841 in the Hospício de Santo António do Vale da Piedade, in the Praça do Cordoaria and later the Episcopal Palace of Porto.

[1] In 1842 it finally moved to the Convent of Santo António da Cidade hospice, next to the Garden of São Lázaro, along Rua D. João IV.

[1] The first librarian was appointed by the Minister Inspector, with the first books being collected from the former libraries of the convents and religious institutions of the Diocese.

This institution was transformed into a municipal library by decree on 27 January 1876, promulgated by King D. Luís I (signed by António Rodrigues Sampaio and former-municipal president Francisco Pinto Bessa).

Between 1929 and 1932, Hispano-Moorish azulejos from the Convent of Santa Clara, in Vila do Conde were moved to the public library.