The first reading room in Koprivnica was founded in 1846. Additional reading rooms were set up towards the end of the 19th century. In 1928 the Academics' Club Library was founded, that is to say, the first public library in Koprivnica was established. In 1945 the first Town Library was founded. In 1954 it became a town budget financed institution, whereas previously it had functioned purely on a voluntary basis. From 1980 until 1991 the Library has been a part of a Cultural Centre consisting of the Museum and the Open University. In 1991 it became an independent institution, named after Fran Galović, one of the writers and poets of the Croatian modernism (1887-1914), born in nearby village of Peteranec and well known on his dialect poetry. The Mobile Library Service was set up in 1979, with the first Mobile Library being in service from 1979 to 2003, when a new vehicle was procured (beginning its rounds from on the 2nd March 2004). The reconstruction and refurbishing of the Library building took place in two stages: the first one from 1979 to 1981 and the second one from 1996 to 2003. ‘Storytelling hour’ for pre-schoolers was first implemented in 1983 and are in performance to this day. In 1995 the Library was awarded the role of County Library Development Service. From 1996 to 2005 the Library was headquarters of the Croatian Reading Association. In 2006 the Library implemented a library service for the blind and visually impaired as a pilot project in Croatia in co-operation with the Blind People's Association of the Koprivnica- Križevci County, which was financed by funds from the EU – i.e. the 2002 CARDS Program (Social Service Delivery by the Non-profit Sector).
In 2006 the Town Council awarded the Library the Plaque of the Town for exceptional accomplishments in the cultural field, and for executing various projects promoting and popularising of books, reading and literacy. In 2007 the Library began implementing the pilot project of digitising local cultural heritage i.e. the local newspaper «Glas Podravine», from its first editions in 1950 to 2007, becoming the first such project to be realised as part of the national «Croatian Cultural Heritage Digitisation» project.
The Library service for visually impaired and blind children and teenagers was presented at the World Congress of the International Federation Librarians Association (IFLA) as one of the four best practices in the world (Durban, South African Republic, 19th – 24th August 2007).

2008

The Library introduced free membership for all residents of Koprivnica Digitization project of local newspaper „Glas Podravine“started with in 2007 (all issues from the 1950-2007 period) were offered online (the inception of „Croatia's cultural heritage in digital format“ national project) Library started a few innovative projects and services: a project „Joint efforts for better health: Free medical consults“ ( more information for the public on healthcare and patients' rights) In collaboration with regional association of the blind, we initiated the projects called „Lifelong learning for the blind and visually impaired: Braille and computer skills“; „We're all different, yet very much alike“ (bringing education and awareness to children with good vision of the problems and needs blind and visually impaired children are faced with) Information and computers literacy for unemployed women (a project in collaboration with regional unemployment bureau); Baby-oriented programs like „Books for babies“, „ Babies' storytelling & playground.

2009

Library was awarded with 2 merit awards: from regional government for accomplishments in education and culture in the County and Dr Ljerka Markić Čučuković Foundation professional librarian achievements award in 2009 for additional education of librarians to work with the blind and visually impaired and for participation at international programs; International recognition of Library's projects and services: our service for the blind and local heritage digitization were selected as best library practices at international conferences in Belgium, the Netherlands and the world librarians congress in Milan, Italy; Library joined EU Agency for Mobility program, through study visits of public libraries in southwestern Germany (lifelong learning program);

30th anniversary of our Mobile Library service; In collaboration with regional association of the blind, we initiated the new project called „Together in quest for knowledge“ (education and awareness of children with good vision of the problems and needs blind and visually impaired elementary school children, their peers, are faced with);

Two new digitization projects: Poet Fran Galović On-Line and Digitized Koprivnica newspapers (1950-2008); Our librarians invented and offered new services, promoting and enhancing digital competences and better computer literacy: „Personal Librarian“, WiFi Internet- bring your laptop and surf at every department of library“; „Become Facebook and Tweeter friend of the library“

2010

We published a commemorative book „Town of Koprivnica libraries & reading rooms from 1650 to 2010 : Fran Galović public library commemorative book”;

At Zagreb University School of humanities and social sciences, the Library was presented with 2009 achievements award from Dr. Ljerka Markić Čučuković Foundation, for extraordinary achievements in librarianship

Professional staff members were awarded with an excursion trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia;

Library's best practices were again re-introduced on the world scene, at World Library and Information Congress: 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly held in Gothenburg, Sweden (with two presentations: public health consults and collaboration with the local hospital, public healthcare and regional family center ; awareness of preschoolers to problems their blind and visually impaired peers have)