Rich in history, the Downers Grove Public Library has undergone several transformations since it was founded at the corner of Forest and Curtiss in October 1915, with support from Andrew Carnegie. It was expanded in the 1950s , the 1970s, and again in 1999.

The library, which circulated more than a million items for the first time in 2009, continues to grow and adapt to the new age of online information by offering free WiFi, numerous computers, several online databases, programs for all ages, eBooks, eAudiobooks and feeds from Facebook and Twitter.

On the first floor, there is a large public meeting room, which may be reserved. There is also a bright Junior Room, featuring a wide assortment of books and movies, rotating collections, study rooms, Miss Mouse's House and other reading nooks.

The second floor features conference rooms, periodical and reference areas, a light-filled atrium reading area, adult and teen areas.

The library is governed by a board of trustees responsible for setting its tax rate and overseeing its operations. The trustees are: Kathy DiCola, Susan Eblen, Wendee Green, Dave Humphreys, Daniel Loftus, and Thomas Read. Library trustees, who are appointed to six-year terms by the Village of Downers Grove, meet at 7:30pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.