1910 - A two-room library in the old Capitol (then City Hall) was finally established. The first head librarian was Neil Scannell.

1948 - The Benicia Ladies Club again began to push for an improved library. Later that year, the first Library Board of Trustees in 42 years was appointed to begin planning a way to fund a new library and find a suitable site.

The Library Board found money from property taxes to build and operate a free library. They collected the $26,735 necessary to build a new library.

Edna Clyne agreed to donate the garden next to her house on G Street for a public library.

1955 - One year before the library was to open, the State Capitol was declared unsafe. The library had to vacate and moved to 813 First Street temporarily.

1956 - On April 9th, the new library opened its doors with 7,000 volumes at 144 East G Street.. The head librarian was Lenoir Miller.

1984 - Head Librarian Lillian Alves retired. The Benicia Library Board of Trustees hired Susan Firestein Hildreth.
Library modernized by joining the North Bay Cooperative Library System, enabling citizens to acquire interlibrary loan books.
Library cards were instituted.
Children’s Librarian was hired to establish better library services to children.
Friends of the Library organization was set up.
Plans were begun for a new library.

1987 - Architect Frants Albert was selected to do a site study. The site at East L Street and the Eunice Jensen Park was selected as the site for the new library.

1993 - June 19th, the new library opened.

2013 - The Library is over 100 years old and has been in this building for 20 years.

2018 - The building is repainted with its original colors. 

2019 - The leaky green enameled steel roof was removed and replaced with a copper roof fulfilling the original design for the library.