Plans for the library began in 1974 at a meeting of the Atkins Womens Club. It was decided to form a committee consisting of Mrs. Jane Haerther, Mrs. Ruth Mumford, Mrs Eleanor Padley and Mrs Mary Ingram to look into the feasibility of a library in Atkins. Several attempts had been made previously over the years to form a library, but the challenge of community size kept efforts from succeeding. But this attempt led by the Women's Club was destined to finally become a reality.

The Club took their plans to the City. Mayor Ben Kreutner and the City Council gave their approval to start a library. The Club and City sought and were granted approval from Benton County Supervisors and the East Central Regional Library Association. Now, as an official project of the City of Atkins, the Mayor appointed five board members: Mrs. Jane Haerther, Mrs Joan Risdal, Mrs Donah Claussen, Robert Brandt, and Jay Lieb to oversee the process of planning and development, design and fundraising.

The Atkins Womens Club sponsored several money raising projects with the proceeds going towards library equipment, materials and books. Many people in the community donated books for the new library. There was enthusiastic support in many quarters. Atkins was still a pretty small town, with families who had been here for a long time. But it organized itself to support a small library.

Finally, after numerous attempts across the community's history, the first Atkins Public Library was opened on March 25th, 1975, located in the basement of the Atkins Telephone Company(ATC) on Main Street, the same building it is in today.

The first Librarian was Mrs. Roseanne Hovey, who served the community for 3 years. In 1978 Ms. LuAnn Knaak became librarian after the resignation of Mrs. Hovey. Ms. Knack served the community for the next 14 years.

During her tenure, when West Side Grain and Salvage Company moved out of its first office at 85 Main Avenue in Atkins, the ATC leadership saw an opportunity to help the library. The Telephone Company bought the former West Side headquarters, right across the street, and in 1990, relocated there. The library then took over the whole previous ATC building. Upon the resignation of Ms. Knaak in 1992, Ms. Cathy Becker was hired as the new librarian, and continues to graciously serve the community, 19 years later.

In 1996, as part of the State of Iowa's efforts to link libraries, schools and similar centers of learning to the internet through the Iowa Communication Network, the library gained internet access. It made several computers available to the publc for their use in internet browsing, research and email. This new information 'access and inquiry' form is leading more and more people to use library resources. The library now has 3 computers for public access. If you'd like to donate a computer or software to the library, please contact the librarian (please, just good computers not more than 3 years old).

In 2006, following up on an effort by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments to help Atkins look to its future, a discussion was initiated as to how might the community build a larger, better library, along with a new city hall and a recreation center. That effort was organized under AIM - Atkins Improvement Mission.