The Braidwood Public Library and Board were established on March 24, 1970 at the Braidwood City Council Meeting. Prior to the opening of the library on November 2, 1970, there was no library in the city for approximately 60 years. The first library location was at 220 E. Main Street, in a store front type building that was part of the Union Block on Main Street and was staffed by volunteers. Funding in the early days was from donations of Braidwood residents and the residents of the surrounding area. The library’s present boundaries include all of Reed, Custer, Essex, and Salina Townships, along with the villages of Gardner, South Wilmington, East Brooklyn, Braceville, Godley, Bonfield, Custer Park and Essex, as well as the city of Braidwood.