The Jenkintown Library is our library. It's an independent library, supported by your donations, community organizations, businesses and the Borough of Jenkintown. The library exists to provide you with literature, reference materials and a wide range of information services. The Library is a special place for Jenkintown residents. It is a link to the history of our community and stepping stone to our future.
Jenkintown Library is funded by several sources: tax revenues from the Borough, state aid from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, fundraising, and donations.
The purpose of Jenkintown Library is to promote reading and the free expression of ideas; actively support the community's educational, cultural, business & technology information needs, and manage and preserve our historical legacy.
The Jenkintown Library was founded in 1803. It is the oldest library in continuous service in this area, and the third oldest library in the county. It took its original name, The Abington Library Society, from the Abington Friends Meeting. When you stand at the circulation desk you are in the original Lyceum Building, built in 1839. In 1909 this building was acquired by the Library Society and subsequently enlarged in 1913. A community room was added in 1983. Some of the library's first books are still in the collection, now numbering 42,000 books. In 1979 the library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years the library has been an integral part of the cultural and social life of the community.
