Kensington Library
Are you an adult who loves to read and wants to talk about some great books with fellow book lovers? We have some good news for you! Several North Philly librarians from the Free Library of Philadelphia are now inviting their adult patrons around the city to join our VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB! Sign up now and receive your free grab bag with the selected book of the month and other goodies delivered right to your front door.
Are you a teen who loves to read and wants to talk about some great books with fellow book lovers? We have some good news for you! Several North Philly librarians from the Free Library of Philadelphia are now inviting their teen patrons around the city to join our VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB! Sign up now and receive your free grab bag with the selected book of the month and other goodies delivered right to your front door.
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Feb. 15 : Closed Presidents' Day
- Fri., Apr. 2 : Closed Good Friday
- Sun., Apr. 4 : Closed Easter
- Mon., May. 31 : Closed Memorial Day
Facilities
- Book drop box
- Change machine
- Computer lab
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
Upcoming Events
Minecraft Day
Come join us for Minecraft Club, where up to eight players can play together on our very own Minecraft Realm! We will be hosting sessions on Mondays and Fridays from 3PM - 5:30PM. Work by yourself…
Minecraft Day
Come join us for Minecraft Club, where up to eight players can play together on our very own Minecraft Realm! We will be hosting sessions on Mondays and Fridays from 3PM - 5:30PM. Work by yourself…
Virtual Spanish Conversation Group--Grupo de conversación en español
Has your Spanish gotten rusty? Do you have nagging questions about grammar and vocabulary? Join the Free Library for a virtual program to practice conversing in Spanish, pick up new vocabulary,…
Virtual English Conversation Group
Join us for a free conversation circle. Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other international adults in a casual learning environment. Class is currently full - for more…
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.