The library had its beginnings in the spring of 1966 when the Northampton Township Woman's Club investigated the possibility of establishing a library in the township. The results of the Club's survey proved the need for more than a once-a-week bookmobile visit. A Library Advisory Committee was then appointed by the township to plan the library.

Township supervisors passed an ordinance establishing the Free Library of Northampton Township on February 27, 1969. Volunteers, led by the Lions Club, spent thousands of hours transforming a Nike base barracks into a library.

When it opened in 1970, the library grew beyond all expectations. In 1985 the library moved from its cramped quarters to its present location on Upper Holland Road.The library shared the Northampton Township Cultural Center with the Council Rock Senior Center from 1985 until the Senior Center relocated to a new building in 2004. At that time construction began on a library expansion project. Construction should be completed in the fall of 2006.

The library's collection has grown from 3,000 items to 100,000. The library's circulation has increased from 19,000 to 270,000. The annual budget has increased from $4,000 to $700,000.