Kensington Library
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Sep. 1 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
- Mon., Sep. 5 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Oct. 6 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
- Mon., Oct. 10 : Closed Indigenous People Day
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
- Browse Shelves
Facilities
- Book drop box
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Scanner
- Street parking
- Street parking (free)
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Bicycle rack
Upcoming Events
Virtual Spanish Conversation Group/Grupo de conversación en español de forma virtual
Has your Spanish gotten rusty? Do you have nagging questions about grammar and vocabulary? Or do you simply miss using your Spanish? Gather virtually with others to practice conversing in…
Virtual English Conversation Group
Join our free conversation circle, where adults from different countries come together to speak English (lower to intermediate level) in a friendly setting. This series is sponsored by the…
PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance
PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with…
Virtual English Conversation Group
Join our free conversation circle, where adults from different countries come together to speak English (lower to intermediate level) in a friendly setting. This series is sponsored by the…
About
Located near the York-Dauphin El station, the Kensington Branch serves Kensington, West Kensington, and Norris Square. ¡Bienvenidos! Libros, videos, revistas y música en español.
History
In the early 1700s, Anthony Palmer, an English businessman working in Barbados, purchased a large tract of land that he called Kensington after a suburb of London. Early residents were shipbuilders and fishermen, but by the 1830s Kensington had become the textile center of Philadelphia. In 1922, the Frankford elevated line began operation, passing through Kensington Avenue. The textile mills moved south by the end of the 1930s.
Kensington Branch was originally known as Frankford Avenue Branch, Branch Number 3 of the Free Library system. It opened on May 21, 1894 at 1856 Frankford Avenue. The name was changed to the Kensington Branch in 1900. In August 1902 it moved to an empty church building at 2055 East Dauphin Street where it remained for 51 years. In 1953, pending completion of plans for a new location, the agency moved to a small rented shop at 2508 North Front Street.
The current Kensington Branch opened on July 20, 1956. It was renovated in 1997 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service to every library. When you visit, take a look at the mosaic in the meeting room. It was designed by Network Arts and created with the help of neighborhood children.