The first library in Hanover was constructed with Works Projects Administration (WPA) funds in the spring of 1941. A frame building arrived in 12 ft. by 24 ft. sections in May 1941, and was put together on the vacant lot east of the Village Hall, the present location of the old fire station at 209 Jefferson Street. The official opening of the library was in July 1941. At that time, about 1,400 books were available for loan. Helen Cooper was the first librarian.

On July 1942, the library building was moved to the vacant lot west of the present-day Hanover Motor Company at 228 Jefferson Street, and it continued there until the current library was constructed in 1957 by Heidenreich Construction Company from Elizabeth at a total cost of $28,000. The formal opening was held on October 28, 1957. At that time, the librarian was Emma Speer, who had begun her work in 1942. She was to retire in 1962. The next librarian was Jessie Garner, who remained until April 1973 when Nancy Browne took over the position and remained until 1974. The next librarian was Jeanette Stutzman who became librarian in May 1974 and remained until 1981.

Following is a list of library directors to the current day:

• Mary Unangst (1981-1989)
• Kathleen Gross (1989-1994)
• Laura Gray (1994-1995)
• Mary Bruszer (April 1995-September 1995)
• Chris Hill (October 1995-1997)
• Beatrice Ingersoll (1997-1999)
• Frank McCann (1999-2005)
• Shari Farral, the current director since September 2005.

In 1965 the Hanover Library became affiliated with the Northern Illinois Library System (NILS) and was then able to have a wider range of books, films, magazines, pamphlets, poster, and art reproductions, all free of charge to the citizens of Hanover Township.

Today, the Hanover Township Library is a member of the Prairie Area Library System (PALS). With holdings of over 11,000 items (including books, videos, DVDs, audiobooks, periodicals, reference materials, large print materials, children's materials, and art works), the library is fully automated with an electronic card catalog, barcode library cards, and automated circulation. Furthermore, since all the library materials are in an online database through PALS, the library can also borrow materials from libraries throughout the state of Illinois via interlibrary loan, and other Illinois libraries can borrow the Hanover Library's materials

Sources: Terry Miller's Hanover and Library Records.