UPDATE (10/13/2022): Due to rain in the forecast for Thursday, the Kingsessing Library giveaway will take place Friday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

10/12/2022: The Kingsessing Library is hosting a big giveaway this Thursday, Oct. 13 ahead of its closure for major renovations. The century-old building will close after October 14 to prepare for the construction, which is expected to begin this winter.

The giveaway, which will be held outdoors starting at 10 a.m., will feature books, magazines, DVDs, and some board games and toys. All items are absolutely free. If it rains on Thursday, the event will be held this Friday, Oct. 14. Here’s the event Facebook page. Continue Reading

Community members have a chance to learn more about an exciting project in Kingsessing. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., there will be the final design meeting for the Kingsessing Library, which will be rebuilt as part of the City’s Rebuild project. The project is expected to break ground soon and the library will be temporarily closed during construction, beginning this fall.

During the Open House-style meeting, which will be held outdoors on the tennis courts (entrance by the corner of 51 St. and Chester Ave.), guests can view the final design plans for the library and learn about what to expect in the next few months. Community members can stop by any time during the meeting to view final design renderings and informational boards. Brief remarks on the project will be provided at 5:30 p.m. Continue Reading

Kingsessing Library and Recreation Center have been selected as sites eligible for improvements as part of the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.

Rebuild coordinators are currently in the process of learning about these two sites and are asking community members to provide feedback by completing an online survey.

The survey asks community members to identify areas for improvement (outdoor and indoor) at each site among other questions. Continue Reading

A group of committee people and block captains from the Kingsessing neighborhood will host a community discussion about gentrification on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Kingsessing Library (1201 S. 51st St.).

The discussion will feature a panel that includes community activist and political candidate Gregory Benjamin, local parent and activist Christina Jackson (who is also a sociology professor at Stockton University) and Drick Boyd, a community educator (and professor emeritus at Eastern University).

The goal of the discussion is to learn from and listen to fellow community members.

The event is co-sponsored by K5DCN – the Kingsessing 5th Division Community of Neighbors.

Kingsessing Library (Photo from freelibrary.org).

State Rep. Jim Roebuck recently announced that $480,000 is on its way to the Kingsessing Library to repair and upgrade the building, which is located at 1201 S. 51st St.

The Kingsessing Library opened in 1919 and was last renovated in 1999.

The funding is part of more than $3 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds that will be used to fund projects in the 188th legislative district.

Project funds also include $2 million to the Community College of Philadelphia’s West Philadelphia Regional Campus to develop a Career and Advanced Technology Center.

Here’s another opportunity to help people in need this holiday season. Kingsessing Library (51st & Chester) is holding a holiday food drive this month and all donations will go to neighborhood food pantries. See the flyer below for more information.