Built in 1912, for $6,195.20 the library signifies a well-preserved part of history in the community. The well-known philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie was helping communities all over the country build free public libraries. The city of Janesville had only to commit $500 per year to maintain a library for Mr. Carnegie to offer to donate $5,000 toward its construction. The library site and $300 was donated by a resident of northern New York, J. Leslie Craig, in memory of his uncle, Dr. R. O. Craig. The remaining amount was raised locally.

The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.