Smithfield Library was established in 1988 as the Mulgrave Shire Council Bicentennial Library and was the headquarters of the Mulgrave Shire library system. It now functions as Cairns Libraries branch for the Cairns Northern Beaches, and the location of Cairns Libraries Support Services Team.

It is Cairns Libraries third busiest branch, with a collection size of around 36,000 items and a circulation of around 190,000 items per year.

A Cairns Regional Council Customer Service Office is located within the Library to provide an important service point for the local community to conduct business with Council..