The Newman Grove Public Library opened in February 1923 in the High School with 516 books donated by the Women's Civic Improvement Club. Miss Martha Thomassen was the first Librarian serving until 1925. Members of the board were: Dr. W.C. Hastings, Sophia Linderholm, L.E. Martin, Cora Harvey and George Gutru.

In the summer of 1923 the library was moved to the I.O.O.F. Hall and continued there until a fire on 2-27-1962. Almost all the books were salvaged. Permission was given to locate in the basement of the high school. A bond election on 7-3-1962 approved building on a lot given by the Women’s Club at 7th and Hale. The construction of the 40’ x 40’ building was completed and dedicated on 6-25-1963 during the Newman Grove Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

Mrs. Margaret Dillman became librarian following Miss Thomassen’s resignation. Mrs. Dillman served the library and the community faithfully until her resignation in 1967. She passed away on 5-28-1969. She felt much pride in working with young people. One young man returned in 1960 and asked to see an illustrated book of original poems; she had encouraged him to write in 1935. This book is still in the library. She saw three classes of children pass from kindergarten through the high school years.

Mrs. Althea Larson became librarian following Mrs. Dillman, until her resignation in July 1975 to become the Madison County bookmobile librarian. During this time she was given a life membership by the Newman Grove PTA for her service to the students of the Public Schools. Mrs. Larson served on the advisory board of Northeast Library Network, and on the Nebraska State Advisory Board of small Libraries.

Mrs. Elinor Boettcher began as Librarian in July 1975 she retired in 1999. However she still visits the library today to offer her support and knowledge in the world of books. Mrs. Ardis Von Seggern started in 1999. She brought the world of computers to the library and faithfully worked until 2003. Ms. Sandy Zurorski started in 2003 and resigned in 2007. Mrs. Kathy Strong started in March of 2007. "It is a joy to take home and read to my girls some of the same books I read as a child from this very library and to now check out books to Elinor after all the years of her checking them out to me."

In 1981 a nonprofit library foundation was formed as a result of a $1000 bequest from Marie Young Vickery estate. Mrs. Vickery’s mother, Mrs. Lew Young was active in starting the library. A sizable donation was given in 2007 by Frank and Hazel Youngquist this and many other bequests have been used toward the purchase of books, computers, movies, and microfilm copies of the Newman Grove Reporter, plus many other library improvements.

A grant from the Peter Kiewit Foundation plus matching funds raised by the community helped to build an addition to the library in 1995 that double it in size.

A children’s summer reading program is held each year in June and movies are shown to promote a special occasion or a book. A book discussion group meets once a month at the library. Children from the grade school visit every two weeks and check out books and special interest groups use the library for their meetings.

The library has grown from 500 volumes in 1923 to 14,539 books, periodicals, cassettes and microfilm of nearly all copies of the Newman Grove Reporter.