Kensington Library

104 West Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133-3701
Hope & Dauphin Sts.
By Appointment Today
Sunday, 11/10 Closed
Monday, 11/11 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 11/12 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 11/13 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 11/14 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 11/15 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11/16 Closed
  • * Monday has hour changes – Veterans Day
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. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Thu., Dec. 5 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Services By Appointment

Services

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Street parking
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Mon, November 18, 2024 4:30 P.M.

Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required. This group is for intermediate/advanced English speakers and is…

PA CareerLinkĀ® Job Search Assistance

Thu, November 21, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with résumé development, career counseling,…

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Mon, November 25, 2024 4:30 P.M.

Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required. This group is for intermediate/advanced English speakers and is…

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Mon, December 2, 2024 4:30 P.M.

Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required. This group is for intermediate/advanced English speakers and is…

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.