Kensington Library
104 West Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133-3701
(Hope & Dauphin Sts.)
215-685-9996 (out of order)
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
| 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 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Jan. 20 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Thu., Feb. 6 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Feb. 17 : Closed Presidents' Day
- Thu., Mar. 5 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Apr. 2 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
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)
Nearby Libraries
Support Kensington Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
Let's Speak English! for International Adults
Sat, Jan 18, 11:00 A.M.
Meet other adult English learners for conversation. Topics may involve small talk, holidays, customs, and common slang. Practice in a casual…
Minecraft Day
Tue, Jan 21, 3:00 P.M.
Come join us for Minecraft Day at the Kensington Neighborhood Library. We've been collaboratively building cities in our very own realm! Work…
Toddler Storytime
Wed, Jan 22, 10:30 A.M.
Explore stories and activities that help prepare children for reading, school, and life! Children are encouraged to sing along and play in the…
Creative Expressions: Open Mic 2020
Wed, Jan 22, 3:30 P.M.
Perform your own writing or someone else's! Sing, dance, act! All levels of experience welcome. Sign up via…
Role-Playing Game Club
Wed, Jan 22, 3:30 P.M.
Join us every Wednesday from 3:30 - 5:20 as you and your group of adventurers go on daring quests in search of treasure and glory. The only thing…
Nintendo Fridays
Fri, Jan 24, 3:00 P.M.
Come join us every Friday after school for Nintendo Fridays! We play games like Smash Bros, Mario Party, and Just Dance. Open to kids and teens…
About
Located near the York-Dauphin El station, the Kensington Branch serves Kensington, West Kensington, and Norris Square. Bienvenidos! Libros en espanol.
NOTE: Our phone lines are temporarily out of order. To get in touch with the branch, please send a message through our Facebook page or email branch manager Sara Palmer: palmers at freelibrary dot org.
History
In the early 1700's, 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 1830's 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.