In 1904 Huldah Enlow donated the land and the building for a new public library. She stipulated that the town assess the necessary taxes to support its operation so that the library was absolutely free to users.

Born in Ohio in 1832, Huldah and her husband, Samuel, traveled to West Branch in a covered wagon in 1856. Their wealth was a product of the Enlows' successful farming efforts. By 1870 they owned 320 acres northeast of town. In keeping with their Quaker tradition of helping each other, they also engaged in private banking whereby they assisted Ohio Quakers to come to Iowa and settle in West Branch, each one in turn helping others to come.

By 1929 the community boasted the largest per capita circulation of any library in the state. In 1930 an anonymous gift of $2,000 was used to construct the south room for expansion. In 1963 the front entrance was enclosed and in 1974 the basement was converted to a children's library.

When the new public library was built in 1993, this building was sold to private residents who restored the building for commercial use.