1889: The first free reading room, the South Pasadena Lyceum, is established in the Graham & Mohr Opera House.
1895: Resolution 48, establishing the maintenance of a free public library through taxation, is adopted by the City of South Pasadena.
1895: The South Pasadena Public Library is formally established in the same location at the South Pasadena Lyceum. Nellie Keith is hired as the first City Librarian.
1906: The Carnegie Corporation offers $10,000 for construction of a free public library on the condition that the City contribute at least $1,000 per year for maintenance. The offer is accepted by the City.
1907: The cornerstone for a new library building is laid by Andrew Carnegie at the southeast corner of Diamond Avenue and El Centro Street.
1917: An addition of stack rooms, a sunroom, and a basement auditorium are added to the Library with additional funding from the Carnegie Corporation.
1930: The Kress House Moving Company is contracted to move portions of the original Library building from the corner of Library Park to the center. After this move the Campbell Construction Company completes reconstruction of the new Library building.
1950: The Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library is formally organized.
1982: The South Pasadena Public Library is renovated and expanded, turning the 1930 Library building into what is now the Community Room.