The American Sheet and Tin Plate Company founded Dover’s first public library in 1902 at the corner of Front Street and Factory Street for the benefit of its employees. Five years later, the library moved to a residence on Cherry and Fifth Streets. In 1916, the city dismantled the old Downey residence and built a high school in its place, with the public library occupying the basement. In 1934, the library moved to a converted residence at 417 North Walnut Street. Over time, that building became inadequate, and in 1953 the city of Dover passed a bond issue to build a new library for the community. The new building at this site opened in 1955.