There's nothing like a pandemic to make you realize how you take the simple things in life for granted. Like the local community library. It's been in the same modest building since 1965. I mean doing things digitally is convenient, but some things require a more tactile approach. That's why when Kensington Library was closed for months on end I missed my ability to thumb through the latest People magazine, browse the DVD collection, or ask the staff to hold a particular book that I was unwilling to buy on Amazon. Yep, going to the library post-COVID, whenever or whatever that looks like, is not to be taken for granted again. RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18 read more

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Very cute library on a hill. Always a parking spot, never too busy, quiet, cute kids play area.

This library is up in the hills--I'd never been up this way before! It's obviously not my local branch, but it's a nice one. The library is mostly one big room, with glimpses of windows where the walls meet the arched ceiling. At the front of he building is the children's area, which I passed by. In the middle, between two long rows of books is a nice study area with a row of four-top tables. (I don't think there are outlets at those tables.) At the back of the library is a great little reading nook near the newspapers. The chairs in the nook are comfortable, and outlets are plentiful, although it's not quite as cozy and charming as some of our east bay libraries. There's free WiFi. There is an ADA/disabled/wheelchair entrance at the back, although the door is locked from the outside and someone has to open it for you. (There's an ADA parking spot behind the library, near the ADA entrance.) I don't usually like separate entrances for disabled people, but this one is a relief--the hilliness of the area makes for a doozy of a ramp to the main entrance. read more

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Great place. The librarians are super helpful and friendly. Just a wonderful place.

This gem of a jewel is a rarity: a town with it's own local library. Kensington Library is part of the Contra Costa County library system. This library has not changed much since I was a sprog in the ice ages. The children's section still has the same table and chairs I sat and perused books at during primary school days. What has evolved is that there are computers that have taken the place of the library card catologue using the Dewey decimal system. I remember that section of little drawers that contained index cards of all the books in the library in both the children's section and the general section. Now the library card catologue is on the computer and the Dewey decimal system is still the standard for catologing the books. In the ice ages, one had to know both the name of the author as well as the title of the book with the card system. Thanks to the advent of the computer age, knowing the title or the author of the book will do just nicely. For eReader users, one can borrow eBooks for up to two weeks and then it automatically ends on the due date. It depends on what eReader device one has; the information can be obtained by looking up the information on the county library's website. I still have yet to try borrowing an eBook. Another delightful surprise is that eReader users can download free books as well, that is made possible by the Project Gutenberg. I know that Kindle and Nook users are able to do so and eBooks can be downloaded and stored on one's computer. My recent find is the Discover and Go passes on the county library website. One can go to many of the museums and attractions on these passes. There is free WiFi at Kensington Library. Just wish there were outlets for those of us who would prefer to bring one's own computer. read more

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... read more

I'm sorry to say that I only go to Kensington to return books & check the books-for-sale shelves. Now, the parking is superb-- & plenty of it-- and the trees create a park-like atmosphere when I'm sitting in my car, but this IS a library and as such, I find Kensington to be actually lifeless. On occasion, I've found the staff outnumbering patrons. As for the staff? Oh man, they need to sit in the sun, frolic in the forest and laugh 'til they pee in their pants, for typically they're solemn, even depressing-- and, thus there's not enough energy for them to reach out & help people. You want life? Knowledgeable help? Enthusiasm? Check out El Cerrito Library. Yes, its parking can be tricky but wow, EC library is alive, happy, full of people (all ages) and the staff is superb. read more

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/programs/ken.html 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.) read more

Be sure to check the hours. Sometimes its hard to know if its open or not. Because of budget cuts the hours are limited. This is a smaller library compared to many other ones. But i like that they have a children's reading room and plenty of programs for children. During the summer there are lots of things happening at this library so be sure to check it out! read more

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. read more

Ewww. That's the first thing I thought when I walked into this library. It has a dirty-kid smell. And, it's dark. There aren't many tables and they aren't located by the big windows. This library needs a face lift. My search for a good library continues... read more

Our families went to this library a lot when our daughter was young and always enjoy this not too big library but with lots of books to read especially my daughter enjoy the story telling time...she now grow up & moved out of the area but I'm retired now so 2 months ago I decided to reactive my long time no use library card planing to back to enjoy my reading...not too long ago I received an email reminding that my card will expired in 21 days, I was confused? because I just got my card for 2 months so, I went to the library and at the front a very friendly lady there after I told her ... she open computer systems and explains to me why this happened, she updated my info. gave back my card with a big smile on her face said:now good for 3 years,appreciated your helps and thank you again Anasa, you done a beautiful job. read more

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. read more

While this library isn't the largest one you've ever been to or the most up-to-date, the library staff do make the most of what it is and that is a small neighborhood library. For its size they have a decent selection of audiobooks as well as DVDs. Because of their affiliations they also can deliver a huge number of books from other libraries in the Contra Costa County library system as well as all over the state. While I don't have small children the library appears to hold many events for them which is a bonus to the community. They do have funky hours so be sure to check to make sure they're open before you head over there. The Friends of the Kensington Library puts your donations to work to expand library offerings and improve your library experience so consider making a donation to them. read more

This has been my local library for years and it has never let me down. Whenever I want to read a good book or want to watch a good movie they have whatever I am in the mood for, and unlike some libraries keep their books in good shape and will replace any books in bad shape. The people who work there are very nice. If you have a certain kind of book to fit your needs they know exactly what you will like. It is almost like magic. read more

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. read more

I bring my child here a few times a month for their weekly story time and it is wonderful. The library is small but perfect for children. Last week, my child accidentally dropped her security blanket in the parking lot and a kind person picked it up and turned it into the library. When I went back nearly 8 hours later that same day, the librarian had it. Living in a small community like Kensington is great and as evidenced by what happened, the people are honest and kind. read more

The staff here are the best thing about this library -- they are so nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. This is not my usual library, as it is not near other errand destinations of mine, but I am always reminded of how pleasant it is when I do go. read more