The Regional Library was created through the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on June 25, 1980, between The National Library represented by then Director Serafin D. Quiason, and Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook (LTP) Chairman Simeon A. Datumanong It was named Regional Library because Cotabato City was under Region XII. It was then that Regional Library was formally opened to the reading public with Mrs. Adela B. Dulay as Chief Librarian from 1981-1986 followed by Mrs. Araceli C. Matabalao from 1987-1991, and Mrs. Pinadtaya K. Milanes from 1991-2010.

The creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) abolished the LTP in 1987 and the library became under the Office of Regional Governor (ORG). It was during Mrs. Milanes period when the library had a separate building, through her initiative, Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. donated from his Country Side Development Fund, Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P750.000.00), and the second phase was funded by Governor Zaldy Ampatuan in the amount of 1 million.

With the official turnover from ARMM to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on February 26, 2019, the ARMM Regional Library is named as Bangsamoro Library and Archives which is anchored by virtue of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 13, also known as Bangsamoro Administrative Code. The library is now located at the right-wing of Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) and under the direct administration of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM).