Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County

The Children’s Room is located on the second floor of the Bausch and Lomb Library Building. The collection covers books, music, and movies for pre K to 6th grade. Resources for parents, homeschoolers and teachers are also part of the collection. There are computers with a dedicated kids catalog and educational games, as well as computers for parents. A convenient self-checkout machine and the Secret Room are located in this division.

The Children’s Center staff also conducts a variety of programs by appointment for groups of children preschool through sixth grade and adults interested in children’s books and reading. Programs provided for groups can include picture book programs, storytelling, general introduction to the library and the Children’s Center collection, library instruction and tours. For more information or to schedule a group visit call (585) 428-8150.

Division Supervisor: Tonia Burton

Children’s Databases

Children’s Catalog

A kid-friendly, interactive view of the MCLS catalog.

Teacher Resources

A collection for adults, called Work with Children, contains reference and circulating materials for parents, teachers, and others working with children. Topics include:

• Children’s literature (using books with children, book-related curriculum activities, history and criticism, biographical and critical information on authors and illustrators)
• Storytelling (how-to books)
• Library service to children,
• Selected parenting books.
• Also available are professional journals and bibliographies.
• 292-Baby Video-on-Demand
• 100+ videos on a wide variety of topics of interest to parents and caregivers of infants. Topics range from going to solid foods at four months – to infant eye care – to identifying skin rashes – to breastfeeding – and much more.

Secret Room

A memorable feature of the Children’s Center is the Secret Room, which is entered through a hidden door in the wall. The room was selected as a Kaboom Play Anywhere grant which presented the opportunity to renovate the space.  

The George W. Cooper International Doll Collection has been moved to the Art Division. 

Children’s Service @ RPL

View programs and services available at all RPL Libraries.