On 14 February 1945, the Grafton City Council opened its free public library service in the Grafton City Town Hall with 1,100 volumes on the shelves. This was the first municipal public library in New South Wales to be opened under the new Government subsidised scheme and to adopt the Library Act. Miss Lorna Cullen was appointed as the first Grafton City librarian. She was then followed by Miss Hazel Foott and later by Miss Margaret Kennedy.
The first library committee was composed of the following:
- Alderman Weiley (chairman)
- Aldermen Jago
- Aldermen McLeod
- Aldermen
Owen
- Aldermen
Hotchkiss
- Aldermen
Hoskin
- Dr. Woodward
- C. Linz
- C. McLaren
- R.C. Law
- Mrs. L. Pidcock
- Mrs. W. Wilson
In March 1947, Grafton City Junior Library was open in the back of the Town Hall and provided younger readers access to 335 volumes for their reading pleasure.
On 1 January 1954, six Councils joined together to establish a regional library service to be known as the Clarence Regional Library with Miss Margaret Kennedy appointed as the first Regional Librarian. Delegates from Grafton City, South Grafton, Maclean, Copmanhurst, Nymbioda and Orara Councils agreed with one voice to establish a library service to serve their residents and became the 3rd largest regional library service in NSW. Then in 1955 Ulmarra Shire Council joined, followed by Harwood Shire in 1957 when the Shire amalgamated with Maclean.
Within the next couple of years, Clarence Regional Library had established branch locations at Grafton Central, South Grafton, Maclean and Ulmarra. In addition, book deposit stations were created at Whiporie, Baryulgil, Wooli, Nymboida, Yamba, Glenreagh, Lawrence and Clouds Creek.
According to the Clarence Regional Library 3rd Annual Report at the end of 1956 the Region’s total book stock was 8,878 with a yearly circulation of 39,586 and had a total library membership of 5,402.
In October 1957 Grafton Library moved to the former “Daily Examiner” building, to accommodate the Grafton City Library, workroom & Regional Librarian’s Office.
By 1962 Nambucca Shire Council had joined the Region, followed by Coffs Harbour in 1963. Then on 1 January 1966, Bellingen Shire Council agreed to join the Clarence Regional Library service and established branch locations at Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga.
On 29 November 1968 a building housing the Grafton Library was opened as part of replacement of Grafton City Council chambers on the corner of Prince and Victoria Streets. Clarence Regional Library staff operated from this building until 1986 when they moved to 110 Spring Street, South Grafton.
On 31 December 1987 Coffs Harbour City Council officially withdrew from the Region. Then some years later Nambucca Heads Shire Council made the decision to withdraw on 31st June 2012.
Since 8 April 2014 both the Grafton Library and Clarence Regional Library have occupied the Sir Earle Page Library and Education Centre located at 126-144 Pound Street.
As of 30 June 2025, Clarence Regional Library which provides services to the Clarence Valley Council and Bellingen Shire Council areas has a total collection of 216,886 items, with a yearly circulation of 370,449, a total library membership of 30,561 and 244,591 visits through the doors for the financial year (2024/2025).