The main branch of the Kitchener Public Library opened at 85 Queen Street in May 1962.

Its origins date back to the Mechanics Institute first established in 1854, that grew within the first year to nearly 1,000 books in German and English.

[2] The collection, maintained by membership fees and private subscriptions, was destroyed by fire in the 1860s and was replaced in 1871 by a library located on the first floor of the town hall.

[4][5] The Carnegie library was demolished following the opening of the Queen Street location in 1962.

[7] Designed by Levitt Goodman Architects, the building was awarded a 2015 Library Architectural and Design Transformation award by the Ontario Library Association.