[4][5] With an additional $155,000 contributed by Springfield residents, construction on the Central Library began in April 1910 for a Renaissance Revival style building designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton.

[1][3] A trestle designed by city librarian Hiller C. Wellman was used to transport books from the old building to the new one, and the branch officially opened on January 10, 1912.

[6][3][5] Major renovations at the Central Library were completed in 2019 to improve accessibility, replace the gutter system, and install an outdoor plaza.

[6] In 2005, the Springfield Library Foundation was formed and incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, helping to support the purchase of books and materials, facility improvements, and staff development initiatives.

The pickets were a response to the death of librarian Gayle Ball, who was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street to the employee parking lot.