The central library for Palmerston North, at 4 The Square in the city centre. The library calls itself the Living Room of the City, and its website describes it as a place to explore pathways to the world. Its collections include books in te reo Māori, such as language guides, flashcards and picture dictionaries, along with children's and young adult titles. The library also holds the Ian Matheson City Archives and feeds into the Manawatū Heritage repository, where local photographs and records can be uploaded. Meeting rooms can be booked, and the library runs events such as Saturday story time at Roslyn Library, poetry and reading programmes, and workshops on local history.
The library has held a Local History Month and has taken part in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, with workshops, lunchtime and evening talks, and book launches. Events for families are shared on the website, and some require registration in advance. The library's events feed on its website lists talks and tours through the year.