New library opens in Kensington: 'You can never have too many books'

After closing its food pantry of five years in July 2024, local non-profit The Simple Way wanted to find a new way to serve people in Kensington. Through its 30-year presence in the neighborhood, the team observed an abundance of free food services and realized it was time to fulfill another need.

“We just felt like we needed a change,” said Allee Torres, Programs Manager for The Simple Way. “We want to be adding something different to neighbors' lives.”

After taking a break to assess the neighborhood’s needs, the team resolved to build The Simple Library, a space for children and families to relax and read books in a safe environment not too far from their homes.

The Library, officially opened in June, is located in The Simple Way’s building on the corner of Potter and East Westmoreland streets. Families in the area have shared with Torres that they avoid going to neighboring libraries like McPherson Square Library due to the fear of walking through the drug traffic. 

“There's not safe corridors to get to those libraries,” she said. “And so when we kind of started mentioning and asking questions like, ‘Would you be interested in seeing something like that come here?’ Everyone was really excited.”

The Simple Library is currently only open on Wednesday from 12 to 3 p.m. due to a lack of staff, but there are plans to expand. It works the same way any library does; adults and children ages 12 and up can sign up for a library card to check out books, and there are also audiobooks available.

According to Torres, 32 people have signed up for library cards since opening, as of July 9. Most of the cardholders are currently children and teens, though adults are welcome to use the library as well.

The books are sourced through donations and purchased based on requests from community members. According to the Simple Way team, graphic novels and manga are very popular among the folks who come to the library. 

Katie Jo Brotherton, who manages the sourcing for the books, puts intention into finding books from authors that represent the community. From adding requested books like “Kindred” by Octavia E. Butler to curating a list of books in Spanish, she prioritizes what folks want to read and how they like to read.

“You can never have too many books,” Brotherton said.

Children have more liberty in the Simple Way Library than they might have at school, where books at certain reading levels are sometimes off-limits, she said. The Simple Library is also home to a “banned books” shelf.

“We need to have kids explore books and pick a book they maybe wouldn't be allowed to have in school," Brotherton said.

Adjacent to the library space is the cafe, where free lunch is served to children and adults every weekday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This room serves as the central spot where children hang out with their friends or sit in the cool air and relax until their parents come home from work. There are also donated books in the cafe, which can be taken for free without the need for a library card. 

According to the Simple Way team, there are plans to build a small stage in the cafe for open mic nights and talent shows.

Children who come to the Simple Library shared that they love coming to the space to spend hours reading, and sometimes sleeping. One 11-year-old shared that she loves to read drama books and take naps.

Katerina Love is a Community Connector for The Simple Way. Having lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years, she’s directed a lot of kids and families to the space and knows many of them personally. She’s also had her nephew spend time in the space. 

Love said she likes that the library has drawn more children to the space since it began, and hopes more families will participate in the near future.

“I just like what the kids can do [here]. It’s a safe place for them. Don't be out there in the hotness. They can be here just chilling,” she said. “I would tell [other parents] to come and check it out. See how many kids we have here during the day, and they can see how comfortable they are and how their parents will come in, drop them off, and then leave. You can't get more comfortable than that.”

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