The Bradford branch began life as a reading room opened 8 Feb 1887 by Alderman Walton Smith. The reading room was based in the Town Hall, Brook Street, occupying part of the building previously used as the Bradford Local Board Offices. The Reading Room provided access to newspapers, periodicals and books suitable for reading and reference. Books could be ordered from other libraries for issue. In Nov 1889 a boys room was opened. From 1909 the Library Committee had recognised the inadequacy of the Bradford Branch Library and began plans to demolish the existing building and erect a new library in its place. In October 1913 when it was decided to expand library accommodation in this ward the library was temporarily moved to 26 Great Mare Lane. The Bradford Local Board Building was demolished and a new library built on the Brook Street site. The new building opened on the 20 May 1915. Dec 1919 saw the opening of a new style children's room at the branch.