Kensington Library

07/24/2026

The Kensington Library is set to begin a comprehensive building renovation and maintenance project. Beginning July 24, the library will be closed for approximately 18 months to address critical deferred maintenance, modernize the building’s infrastructure and renovate the interior for the first time in decades.

The library building, which opened in 1965, requires extensive upgrades to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the community. The renovations will include:

Climate Control: New all-electric air conditioning and HVAC system, new energy efficient windows

Environment: Improved lighting and new energy-efficient light fixtures

Safety & Accessibility: Improved ADA accessible parking, new ADA restrooms, new fire alarm and fire sprinkler system

Renovations: Reconfigured interior spaces, new outdoor deck for reading and gathering, new furniture and finishes, updated staff area

The project is made possible through a collaborative funding effort that includes County Measure X sales tax dollars and County Library reserves.

The exterior book drop will be locked during the closure. Library materials can be returned to the El Cerrito Library or any other Contra Costa County Library location.

All holds not picked up by the end of business on Thursday, July 23, will be moved to the El Cerrito Library.

During the closure, you are encouraged to visit the nearby El Cerrito and San Pablo libraries. You can continue to place holds through the online catalog and select any branch for pickup.

Digital resources, including eBooks and streaming services, remain available 24/7 at ccclib.org.

For account questions during the closure, please call (800) 984-4636.

06/26/2026

Event: UC Master Gardener Webinar
Topic: Grow Your Best Winter Vegetable Garden
Date: July 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Tiny URL: https://tinyurl.com/JulyMG2026

Learn tips from UC Master Gardeners to get a longer winter harvest season, care for soil, and manage pests.

06/11/2026

Sorry for the inconvenience. We reopen tomorrow (Friday) and all holds on hold shelf are automatically extended with a pick up date of Saturday, 6/12.

03/25/2026

03/18/2026

Magical Moonshine Theatre’s lively version of old school European street theatre inspired giggles galore. Thank you for the last minute lending of your lawn, due to hot weather. And as always, thanks to the Friends of Kensington Library for funding special programs.

03/12/2026

Thank you movie expert for your fascinating and entertaining presentation on the history of martial arts cinema. And for your handout of all the films to watch, some of which you can find on our streaming platform Kanopy or DVD from Contra Costa County or Link+

03/06/2026

The Kensington Library Seed Circle gives away free seeds and shares information about gardening.

We are excited to announce that we are giving away (while supplies last): free milkweed seeds (showy and narrowleaf varieties), which provides habitat for monarch butterflies.

The showy milkweed was harvested by one of our teen volunteers Abe, thanks to the generosity of Blake Garden.

Come learn about monarch migration patterns and how you can help support the dwindling populations of this beautiful butterfly.

Thank you to the Friends of Kensington Library for paying for the narrowleaf seeds.

02/25/2026

Here's a message from one of our library volunteers:

Hi, I'm Viv, a teen volunteer at Kensington Public Library. I took home a packet of radish seeds from the library's Seed Circle and planted them indoors. After a week, they sprouted, and a month and a half later, I started to see the radish bulb forming! I'm hoping to harvest them soon, and make a nice salad.

Kensington Library's Seed Circle has tons of seeds for free, and easy for everyone to grow. Come check it out now!