Waverley Municipal Library was first established in 1964, following a unanimous decision by Waverley Council to fund a free library service.

There were subscription libraries operating in the area dating back to the 19th Century, including Waverley School of Arts which was established in 1859.

Waverley School of Arts: The first library to operate in the area was Waverley School of Arts, which was based on a subscription model of 16 shillings per annum. The school struggled to find a permanent home, and so foundered in the early 1880s.

Bondi-Waverley School of Arts Finds a Home: In 1913, the newly formed Bondi-Waverley School of Arts purchased Navestock, a grand residence located at 138 Bondi Road. By 1956 the library boasted a collection of 8000 volumes, but membership rates were falling.

Waverley Municipal Library: In 1963, Waverley Council recruited Chief Librarian Ron Lander to spearhead the development of the new library service. On September 26, 1964 Waverley Municipal Library officially opened. Located in an extension built alongside the Bondi-Waverley School of Arts, the new library had a collection of 20,000 newly purchased books. On the first day of operation, more than a thousand books were lent.

Continued Expansion: In 1967 the library opened new doors with Waverley Central Library in Bondi Junction. Housed in an old bowling alley, the new premises more than doubled the book stock of the library service. The newest library addition positioned itself as a community center, offering a range of events including book launches, talks, concerts, and art exhibitions. 

Local History: The library offered a range of services including a Home and Hospital Service, weekend hours of operation, and in 1984 a Local History section. The library was also the first public library in Australia to provide full access to its computerised catalogue. 

The Ron Lander Centre: In 1996, Chief Librarian Ron Lander retired after 33 years at Waverley Library. In 1999 Waverley's first purpose built library was officially opened in his honour. The new library opened on Monday 12 July, 1999 and was visited by 14,000 people in its first week of operation.

60 Years in the Making: Over the decades, the library has grown and modernised its services. Adapting to changing technologies, the library has evolved from a traditional book-lending institution to a community centre offering a wide range of resources, including books, periodicals, DVDs, and digital media.