Construction began in 1902, and the result was a Mission Revival building—the work of the architectural firm of Burnham and Blieser—on the northeast corner of Seventh and Orange streets.

Further expansions saw a Reference Wing, designed by Riverside architect G. Stanley Wilson, and the purchase use of two adjacent house.

[2] In October, 2016, the Riverside City Council approved construction of a new Main Library building at 3900 Mission Inn Avenue.

Its mission "is to recognize, support and expand literary activity in the Inland Empire, thereby deepening people’s awareness, understanding, and appreciation of this unique, complex and creatively vibrant area.

"[3] Marion Mitchell-Wilson, who was the Riverside Public Library's Development Officer, served as the Inlandia Institute's Executive Director from its inception until 2012 when she stepped down for health reasons.

Mary Montague Smith 1888-1900 Grace Mansfield 1900-1905 Margaret Kyle 1905-1909 Helen Evans (Acting) 1909-1910 Joseph F. Daniels 1910-1921 Lillian Dickson (Acting) 1921-1922 Charles F. Woods 1922-1947 Albert Charles Lake 1947-1975 Catherine Lucas 1975-1979 Linda M. Wood 1980-1991 Judith Auth 1991-2005 Barbara Custen 2005-2008 Leonard Hernandez, 2008-2010 Tonya Kennon, 2011-2018 Erin Christmas, 2018-Current[5][6] The City Council appoints nine residents to serve up to two four-year terms as trustees of the Library.