Public library service came to Yuma in 1915 through the efforts of the Yuma City Club, a women’s organization. A Reading Room was established in the Polhamus home on Madison Avenue and Second Street. The budget was about $35 a year with donations providing the needed funding. In 1917 the Yuma City Council applied to the Carnegie Foundation for a grant, and were told that $10,000 could be made available if the City would provide a suitable location.
The Yuma Carnegie Library was opened in 1921 with 1,053 volumes, seating for 20, and a budget of $600.
In 1948, voters approved a $93,000 bond to enlarge and remodel the Carnegie building.
In 1958, the County signed a contract with the City for county library services. The Carnegie Library’s name was changed to Yuma City-County Library.
Bookmobile service was started with the three-month loan of a bookmobile from the Arizona State Library.
The first branch library opened in Somerton in 1959. The Wellton Library opened the same year.
In 1965, Yuma voters passed a $165,000 bond election.
Local funds were matched by federal dollars to enlarge and remodel the Yuma Library for a building size of 22,600 SF. Construction was completed in 1966 at a cost of $335,000. The Library had seating for 100, and 16 full-time employees.
Between 1968 and 1982, before Yuma County was split to form LaPaz County, there were several branch libraries opening and closing.
The Yuma Reading Council formed in 1981 and worked with the Library until 1986.
In 1984, the Foothills Mini Branch Library opened in an 8’ x 20’ space, with 1,500 paperbacks and an all-volunteer staff.
In 1985, the City of San Luis’ Library was dedicated.
State legislation was passed in 1986 that enabled Arizona counties to establish a secondary tax district to support libraries.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors established a tax district July 1987; officially named the Yuma County Free Library District.
An anti-District initiative petition placed the District on the ballot in 1988. An intensive campaign to continue the District was launched by the Friends of the Library. The Library ballot proposition passed with a 77 percent affirmative vote to support continuation of the District.
The Literacy Center was housed in the Library until 1989. That same year the YCCL was awarded federal funds to automate the circulation system.
In 1996, the Roll Branch Library became a full-service facility, housed in the Mohawk Elementary School Library.
The Yuma Library Foundation was organized in 1997 as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
A Long-Range Plan 1999-2005 was created with public and staff input.
As the 20th century came to a close, the Dateland Branch Library began service at the Dateland Elementary School.
The San Luis Branch Library was remodeled and expanded, and a new Foothills Branch Library was established as the Library Board’s number one priority.
At the start of the 21st century, the District received a Gates grant, which added 32 computers to all the libraries.
In 2001, the Wellton Branch Library opened at 10425 William Street, built with a combination of funds from the Town, County CDBG, and Wellton School funds.
In 2002, the new Somerton Branch Library opened, built with a combination of City dollars and County CDBG funding.
In 2002 the Library District was named the “Best Customer Service in a Government Agency”, and in 2004 we were named “Best Public Services” by the Yuma Sun. A fitting tribute to a public library that has been meeting the library and information needs of Yuma for over 80 years.
In 2005 Voters passed a bond measure to fund new library buildings and service expansions. Included were funds for a entirely new Main library in the southern part of the city, as well as new buildings for Foothills and San Luis. Renovations and expansions were included for the Somerton, Wellton, and old Main buildings.
In 2006 The Main Library collections and services moved to 185 Main Street, into the former Vibes club building, next door to the Main Street Theater, to allow the old building to be remodeled.
Currently under renovations, the old Main building will become a branch when the new Main Library opens.
The Yuma Carnegie Library was opened in 1921 with 1,053 volumes, seating for 20, and a budget of $600.
In 1948, voters approved a $93,000 bond to enlarge and remodel the Carnegie building. 
In 1965, Yuma voters passed a $165,000 bond election. 
Currently under renovations, the old Main building will become a branch when the new Main Library opens.