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. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 4 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
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, June 9, 2025
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 led by Free Library volunteer John. Questions? Email adultlearning@freelibrary.org or call…
Social Services at the Library with a Social Worker
Tue, June 10, 2025
10:00 A.M.
Stop by for Open Office Hours 10am-12pm on Tuesday June 10th with a Social Worker where you can receive help finding, navigating, and connecting to relevant community and government agencies. If you have questions, you can email socialservices@freelibrary.org. Social…
Preschool Storytime
Tue, June 10, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Join us inside the library for stories, rhymes, songs, and movement with your children's librarian! Best suited for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers.
Storytime for Preschoolers - en español
Thu, June 12, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Tiempo de cuentos y cantos en español y diversión para bebés y niños pequeños. El segundo y cuarto jueves de cada mes a las 11 de la mañana: 8 y 22 de mayo y 12 y 26 de junio Come and enjoy spanish stories and songs and playtime for babies and toddlers…
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.