Kensington

Founded as a deposit station in 1908 by the Mother's Kindergarten Club of PS 134 and the Kensington Improvement League, Kensington quickly outgrew two locations before becoming a full-fledged branch on McDonald Avenue in 1912. When it again needed more space, in 1960, it moved, to its current location -- a former catering hall known as "the Manor" -- which was leased and renovated, arousing national media interest.

The Mapleton Branch's first home was a small library on 10th Avenue that opened in 1934. A year later, it moved to a storefront on 18th Avenue, with books and staff transferred from the former Astral Branch. The collection grew rapidly, and in 1955, a new branch opened on the corner of 17th Avenue and 60th Street.

McKinley Park

McKinley Park Branch entered the Brooklyn Public Library system in 1911 as a deposit station. As the community grew, a new 7,425-square foot facility opened in 1959 and was renovated in 1995.