The Shelby Township Library was established under PA 269 of 1955 on November 16, 1971.  When initially formed, the library was housed in the lower level of the (then new) Township Municipal Building located at 52700 Van Dyke, had 1,500 square feet of space and served a township population of 29,467.

The Library opened to the public in August of 1972 and by all accounts the reaction of Shelby Township residents was overwhelmingly positive.  During the first week of operation 515 residents registered for library cards.
 
In April 1973, the library became a member of the Library Network of Macomb (which became the Suburban Library Cooperative) which allowed the library to receive and borrow materials from all libraries in Macomb County.

In 1984, the library was relocated to a portion of the former Disco Elementary School building (circa 1947) at 51680 Van Dyke.  This move secured 4,000 square feet to help serve the growing population of Shelby Township which reached 38,939 in 1980.

Shelby Township’s population continued growing (47,289- 1990; 65,159- 2000) and in 1997, the library gained more space by “filling in” the courtyard and creating an Atrium area.  This addition, along with other enhancements since 1984, brought the library space up to 12,500 square feet and is the library’s current size today.