The Saare County Central Library dates from 1907 when the Kuressaare Estonian Society founded a library. It was the first library in Kuressaare stocked with books in Estonian language and established for Estonian readers. The branches of Kuressaare Estonian Society founded a number of smaller libraries all over the island, the grounds
for today's public library network.

In 1927 the municipal authorities of Kuressaare opened another library, and in 1935 these two major libraries were merged. In 1972 it became the Saaremaa Central Library and was situated at 1 Tolli Street.

In 2002 a new library house was built and now Saare County Central Library is situated at Tallinna 6 Street in the center of the town. Children`s department, which was founded in 1950 is now also in the same building.