Library service in the City of Sharon began in 1903 as a privilege enjoyed only by those with paid membership in the F. H. Buhl Club. In the early 1920s, community leaders recognized the need for everyone to have free access to desired books.  A referendum was held in the fall of 1922, and the electorate approved a levy of one-half mill for the support of a public library.  The Sharon Free Public Library formally opened on February 1, 1923.
 
Response to the free library was enthusiastic, with nearly 2,000 new registrations in the first year.  Usage continued to grow over the years, and children's branches were opened at 5 local elementary schools.  The main library continued to be housed in the Buhl Club, a beautiful facility which, unfortunately, could not accommodate the growing collection and expanded services indefinitely.  By the late 1960s, overcrowding forced the library to find a new home.  With a combination of federal, city, and private funding, the present library was constructed on Sharpsville Avenue.

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The Library continues to be a vital community resource.  In 1993, the City of Hermitage joined Sharon in funding the Library.  In the spring of 2007, the library became a private non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors.

In April of 2015, the City of Farrell sought the assistance of the Community Library of the Shenango Valley (CLSV) to operate the Stey-Nevant Public Library on its behalf. After extended discussions, the Board of Directors of CLSV unanimously agreed, and after a process of several months, Stey-Nevant became a branch of CLSV on January 1st of 2016.

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​As of February 2025, the Stey-Nevant Library in Farrell and the Community Library of the Shenango Valley are now completely separate libraries. This follows the Farrell City Council's vote to operate the Farrell library as a city department.

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