The KFPL serves the city of Kingston and Frontenac County in Ontario, Canada.

The library regularly welcomes visitors from outside of this region.

It was one of a series of Mechanics' Institutes that were set up around the world after becoming popular in Britain.

It housed a subscription library that allowed members who paid a fee to borrow books.

[3] The Mechanics Institute in Kingston was founded in 1834; in 1895, the Kingston Public Library was established, making it one of the first public libraries in Canada.