The original planning of the Dickinson Free Library was begun in 1908 by the first library board. This original board, now known as the Dickinson Library Association, wrote to Andrew Carnegie proposing the building of the library with an original gift estimate of $15,000, further reduced to $12,500. A library tax was submitted to the people of Dickinson on April 6, 1908. The library was opened for circulation on Monday, January 3, 1910.

In April 1938 work began on the west wing addition—a WPA building project. The new wing is 20 by 40 feet with a full basement. The main floor added to the adult space and the basement provided children’s space.

Over the years various updates and additions have been made to the library. Some of them include: adding a Bookmobile to service rural areas, The Friends of the Library Garden Plaza, sound systems, and renovations of various spaces.