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Kensington Library
Rating Details »
61 Arlington Avenue
Kensington, CA 94707
(510) 524-3043
Kensington, CA 94707
(510) 524-3043
- Hours:
Mon-Tue. 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
5 reviews for Kensington Library
A cute little library with helpful staff, free wireless access, and lots of Hilltop kid clientele. Its proximity to the elementary school, and kids' reading programs definitely serve the community well.
Selection of books, music and periodicals is not very extensive, which matches the library's size, but they are able to get any book that is available in the Contra Costa library system for you in a few days' time, as they have near-daily deliveries.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
I honestly couldn't remember the last time I went to the public library, but my book club ("Swords, Lasers, & Cocktails, Oh My!") was meeting in 2 days and I was feeling too cheap to buy the book. Consequently, I jumped online, found the CCC library website, and placed a hold on my book. The online system was easy to to use, including signing up for an account. I thought it was especially Cool that an analog entity like the library was so adept at the digital medium.
Getting to the physical library was also easy. It isn't obvious from the road, but the library's own directions reference the steeple of the church across the street as a distinguishing landmark of where to turn. (Kudos for truly Useful directions!) A shaded parking lot welcomes you, followed by the ramp to the front door. The whole place seemed very handicapped-accessible.
To check out my book, I had to get a physical library card (duh), but the librarian was great about it. It took a total of about 3 minutes, though I found it Funny that I apparently had gotten one about 3 years ago at another branch. (She did not laugh at me, nor did she chastise me, which I appreciated. I could have handled the laughing better.) Book in hand--3 week checkout, renewable online--and facing a deadline, I raced home and promptly tossed the book on my bedside table before getting dinner. I'll get to it eventually...
TRIVIA: Kensington, CA is known as a fairly affluent area, not dissimilar to its namesake of Kensington, England, though with only 1/10th the population density. Both also abut large parks to their northeast--Royal Park of Kensington Gardens in England and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park here in California. I wonder if the two are official sister-cities...
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
What a great library! The Kensington library is a true community center that gets a tremendous amount of use from its neighbors. The staff members who work here are fabulous; they love books, they love their jobs, and they love the people who come in to use the library. The web page http://www.ccclib.org/... lists special programs; the Tuesday evening programs are big draws.
While the holdings of this particular library are rather modest, users can recall books, videos and CDs from the entire inventory of the Contra Costa County library system. Starting from http://www.ccclib.org/, you can do a catalog search and a place a "hold" with a small number of operations. If the book you want is not currently on loan, it will come to you in a few days. This system works well if you are curious about a movie that a friend has recommended but you don't want to rent the film. Once you have a video, you can keep it for at least one week; if the video isn't on hold for someone else, you can renew it for a second week.
Like many libraries in the system, this branch has free WiFi for its users. I've never tried the WiFi and don't know if you need to enter your library card number to start a session. There are a bunch of PCs in the library that can be used for web surfing. For those, however, you do definitely need to enter a library card number when you start. (Cards are free, and so is the use of the computers.)
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
This library is really quiet and quite large given the small community of Kensington. I would go here more but the El Cerrito Library is closer. Great place to study. Lots of natural light. Free wireless but no outlets at the tables - go to the Berkeley Main Library for that.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
This is our other library. It's very small but cozy. When El Cerrito's library was closed this was my refuge. When I started coming here last year their computer chairs were dreadful but they've replaced them and now they're great. They have just a few computers, but I've always had one when I needed it in pre-laptop days. This was where I got my first library card in years. They have community meetings. Last year we saw Danny Scher show and speak about his excellent video, "Brotherly Jazz", featuring the Heath Brothers. I had a lovely experience here early in January following that big storm when we lost our power. I drove up, parked my car in the lot, walked across the street and up the ramp to the library only to discover it wouldn't open until 1:00. Another woman was there returning some books and when I expressed my dismay at it being closed she looked at me sympathetically and asked if I needed a ride somewhere. It was so sweet and unexpected and spoke volumes about the community that uses this library.
People thought this was:
- Useful (8)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (10)
Specialties
The Kensington Library offers a variety of programs for all ages, including book clubs, crafts, storytime for babies and toddlers, and a family storytime for older children. As part of their significant contribution each year, the Friends of the Kensington Library sponsor a special performance for children monthly. For a small library, there is a good selection of magazines, picture books for children, and a rotating DVD collection.
History
Established in 1922
Kensington is an unincorporated town of almost 5,000 residents in the East Bay hills. Established as the Kensington Park Branch in 1922 in a private home, the Kensington Library moved to its present building in 1965.