All RPL libraries are now open! Click here for more information.
All RPL libraries are now open! Click here for more information.
The Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County consists of two buildings, the Rundel Memorial Library building, opened in 1936, and the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building, opened in 1997. Located in the heart of Downtown Rochester, NY, at 115 South Avenue, the library offers the residents of the City and County a large collection of books, (both print and electronic) magazines, music, movies and more. In addition to its collection of materials, the Central Library provides quiet study spaces, public meeting rooms, a variety of free programs and opportunities for community engagement.
Patron Services Manager: Cynthia Dana
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 428-7300
TDD: (585) 428-8023
Bus Lines:
23, 24, 45, 51, 53, 55, 83, 101, 102, 124, 145, & 155
Occasionally Bus Lines 81 & 82
| Monday | 9:00 am – 8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Open to the public for browsing, borrowing materials, copying, faxing, notary services, reference and research assistance and computer services (90 minute limit). Curbside services also available: request materials through the curbside pickup form, or call (585) 428-8020.
The Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library offers a wide selection of new and used items for sale in the Library Store. Inventory includes books, CDs and DVDs, educational toys and games, and stationery and gift items. Proceeds from all sales benefit the Rochester Public Library.
Join us and students from Nazareth College in the Children's Center at the Central Library for a playdate, scavenger hunt and a chance to get your child free GROW checks and follow-up support! What are GROW checks? They are free, quick, and fun health and developmental checks including speech and language, vision, hearing, dental, height and weight, and more! For more information, please call the Children's Center at 428-8150.
Join us for an in-depth dive into the history of Rochester's Black freedom with a close reading of and weekly discussions about Laura Warren Hill's new book, Strike the Hammer: The Black Freedom Struggle in Rochester, New York, 1940–1970. On July 24, 1964, chaos erupted in Rochester when the city’s Black community rebelled over rampant police brutality and racial inequity. The uprising led to a rebirth in Rochester’s fight for racial …
Disability is often an overlooked identity in literature. However, it can be an enriching identity to be featured within your writing. In this class we will discuss the reasons why disabled people aren't portrayed in the best light within literature and media and share examples of good writing on disabled characters and tips on how to write disabled characters with accuracy and empathy. This class takes place online via Zoom. It is a …
Join us for an outdoor storytime! Meet a children’s librarian at the hollow tree across from Lamberton Conservatory for stories, songs, and rhymes. Storytimes help promote early learning skills and are a great way to bond with your little one. Best for toddlers, but older and younger siblings are welcome. Call the Children's Center at 428-8150 to confirm weather-related cancellations.
Advance Registration is Required. Register here. Book: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. Erdrich pays homage to her grandfather in this 2021 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Native American dispossession in the 1950s. Reviewer: Virginia Fifield, Mohawk from the Akwesasne Reservation, an Associate of the Sisters of Mercy, a 50-year veteran of social justice activism, member of many anti-racism organizations, and an activist for ecological justice.
Learn about setting fonts, formatting and importing pictures through a project-based approach using Microsoft Word 2016. Course requires knowledge of mouse use. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Join Josh at Wicked Squid Studios to learn how to get those drums just right for you musical needs!!!
Learn about what can be stored in a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel 2016. Formula creation and cell formatting will be taught through a modifying an existing spreadsheet. Course requires knowledge of mouse use. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Come and get Spooky with us this Fall! In this class, we will create these magical Halloween Luminary jars. Each participant will get to choose 1-2 images to add to a glass jar and how to apply and decorate their own unique luminary lantern. Each participant will be given a battery powered tea light to light up this decoration. This is a LIVE class NOT a ZOOM class. This class …
Join us online for an online Zoom program about growing sprouts and micro-greens. This program will be presented by Jarmila Haseler, Agriculture Educator from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County. Growing Sprouts and Micro-Greens at Home Sprouts and microgreens are among the smallest edible plants on Earth that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Easy to grow at home, they can garnish a healthy meal and provide a boost to your immune system to …
What is playwriting? It’s where critical thinking meets imagination, where plumbing meets art, where structure is everything and there’s an audience waiting in real time—so you better get to saying what you want to say before that fly buzzing around the stage lights becomes the only living thing in the theater holding anyone’s attention. Want to learn more? Come join us for this four-part general …
Learn about using Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software. Create slides in preview mode and add images and text with slide transitions and animations. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
The Arts Division at the Central Library is beginning an Art History lecture series. These talks will be given by Dawn Murphy, who is a professor in the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Monroe Community College. Ms. Murphy will give a Zoom talk on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo: Exploring themes of life, love, and identity through Surrealism. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s status as art icon continues …
Stretch your body and your imagination with storytime yoga! Join yoga instructor Erin Moriah in the Kate Gleason auditorium on Saturday, October 2nd at 10:00 a.m. for storytime yoga. Best for ages 3 and up, but babies and young toddlers are welcome. Registration is suggested but not required. For more information, please call the Children’s Center at 428-8150.
In this monthly workshop you’ll work within a creative and supportive writing community to hone your craft and tell your story. Expect a variety of activities that will help you generate new ideas, revise existing projects, and establish effective writing practices for yourself. All levels of experience are welcome. Jen Case teaches writing workshops and leads literary discussions at libraries and senior living communities around Monroe County. She also presents with the group …
Join us for an in-depth dive into the history of Rochester's Black freedom with a close reading of and weekly discussions about Laura Warren Hill's new book, Strike the Hammer: The Black Freedom Struggle in Rochester, New York, 1940–1970. On July 24, 1964, chaos erupted in Rochester when the city’s Black community rebelled over rampant police brutality and racial inequity. The uprising led to a rebirth in Rochester’s fight for racial …
Join staff from the Rochester Public Library and the Office of the City Historian for a guided walking tour focused on Rochester's industrial heritage. The tour begins at the site of a former flour mill and ends at the site of a former seed store, representing two of the industries that give Rochester its nicknames as the Flour City and the Flower City. Along the way, we'll explore some of the myriad enterprises …
Join staff from the Rochester Public Library and the Office of the City Historian for a guided walking tour focused on Rochester's rich history of social justice activism. While the city’s most famous agitators, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, figure prominently, the tour also will shed light on lesser-known stories of activism as expressed by the labor movement, the anti-draft movement, the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and others. …
Folded Fabric Pumpkins: Using a foam shape, fabric pieces, and straight pins, you will be able to create a decorative pumpkin for the fall. The completed pumpkin will appear to be quilted although no sewing is involved! Though not required, students are encouraged to bring a small sharp pair of scissors to class if they have them. This class is for adults 18 and over and will …
Disability is often an overlooked identity in literature. However, it can be an enriching identity to be featured within your writing. In this class we will discuss the reasons why disabled people aren't portrayed in the best light within literature and media and share examples of good writing on disabled characters and tips on how to write disabled characters with accuracy and empathy. This class takes place online via Zoom. It is a …
Advance Registration is Required. Registration info. will be posted here, to ffrpl.org, each week for the following week's review. Book: Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe A sweeping saga of three generations of the Sackler family (one of the richest in the world), whose fortune was amassed by Valium, and then OxyContin, which generated 35 billion dollars in revenue, and was the catalyst for the opioid …
Learn about the different types of computers you could buy and use: tablets, laptops, smartphones, and desktops. Learn about WIFI and how to use the mouse. We will use a browser to visit internet sites. No prior computer experience required. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Typically a bookkeeper or an accountant manages the transactional process, interpretation of the financial activity and reports back to the business owner. Unfortunately, unless the business owner has some understanding of how the accounting and bookkeeping activities affect their business, it may open the door to losses, inaccuracies or potential Internal Revenue Service questions. In this workshop our goal is to introduce some accounting basics that include: Accounting Vocabulary, Cash Reconciliations, …
Learn about many of the aspects of using your smartphone. Can I use WIFI to download apps? How do I delete an app? How do I transfer my pictures from my phone? Answer all these questions and more in this class. Register online or call 428-8460 to register.
Join our bi-weekly books & more discussion sessions and flourish your love for reading and learning! Discussion topics range from YA classics, non-fiction to manga and graphic novels to poetry around the world. Registration is required. We meet in the B-hive meeting room on the 2nd floor at the Central Library. This event is also offered online. To virtually attend this event you must register …
Gain access and learn how to use the professional studio in the digital media lab! Get certified with this two hour class taught by Wicked Squid's Josh Pettinger.
The signatures in this book are woven together over sticks, pencils, or skewers, instead of sewn. Soft covers work with little pop-up folds inside and look similar to the pages. Hard covers can be added with a modified stab binding. You will use cover-weight paper or cardstock for the pages and covers. This structure is usually attributed to Hedi Kyle. She&…
What is playwriting? It’s where critical thinking meets imagination, where plumbing meets art, where structure is everything and there’s an audience waiting in real time—so you better get to saying what you want to say before that fly buzzing around the stage lights becomes the only living thing in the theater holding anyone’s attention. Want to learn more? Come join us for this four-part general …
Back to Basics: Simple Strategies for Cooking with Herbs and Spices Herbs have been abundant since the beginning of time. They have been used as medicine and as ways to enhance the flavor our foods. This workshop will provide an overview of ten healing herbs and spices every cook should know. We will uncover the historical uses and healing benefits of each, as well as simple strategies for incorporating herbs and spices into everyday food …
Learn about using the internet through guided visits to several websites. Course requires knowledge of mouse use. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Leander W. McCord Jr. was one of the Rochester region's foremost residential architects of the Jazz Age. His career spanned from the early 1910s through the late 1940s, reaching its zenith during the roaring ‘20s when his accomplishments were heralded in newspapers and his design capabilities were in demand by the rich and famous as well as the burgeoning middle class. He crafted his homes in a multitude of styles, but his specialty …
Calling all inventors! Whether you're a tinkerer or pursuing patents, this group provides support to those who dare to invent. Join a group of like-minded people to discuss the pros and potential pitfalls of inventing intellectual property. Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Join us for an in-depth dive into the history of Rochester's Black freedom with a close reading of and weekly discussions about Laura Warren Hill's new book, Strike the Hammer: The Black Freedom Struggle in Rochester, New York, 1940–1970. On July 24, 1964, chaos erupted in Rochester when the city’s Black community rebelled over rampant police brutality and racial inequity. The uprising led to a rebirth in Rochester’s fight for racial …
Advance Registration is Required. Registration info. will be posted here, to ffrpl.org, each week for the following week's review. Book: The Violence Inside Us: A Brief History of an Ongoing American Tragedy by Chris Murphy This comprehensive history by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy explores the origins of our violent impulses, the roots of our obsession with firearms, and the mythologies that prevent us from confronting our national crisis. Reviewer: Mark T. Henderson, …
Learn about setting fonts, formatting and importing pictures through a project-based approach using Microsoft Word 2016. Course requires knowledge of mouse use. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Learn about what can be stored in a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel 2016. Formula creation and cell formatting will be taught through a modifying an existing spreadsheet. Course requires knowledge of mouse use. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
In a longstitch binding, the sections and cover are sewn simultaneously, so the sewing becomes part of the design. The longstitches on the spine can be treated in a number of ways, even wrapped or braided. Beading, silk or metallic thread, and knotting can be added to the stitches as they are sewn or can be worked on afterward by pinching them …
What is playwriting? It’s where critical thinking meets imagination, where plumbing meets art, where structure is everything and there’s an audience waiting in real time—so you better get to saying what you want to say before that fly buzzing around the stage lights becomes the only living thing in the theater holding anyone’s attention. Want to learn more? Come join us for this four-part general …
Join us online for a Zoom program about growing herbs. Herbs can transform ordinary meals into something special. Incorporating herbs into your garden design adds color, fragrances, and interest to your landscape. Participants will learn the benefits of herb growing from their beauty and use in cooking, to their medicinal uses and healing properties. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Please click the link below to register for this program.
Learn about using Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software. Create slides in preview mode and add images and text with slide transitions and animations. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Once referred to as subversive and vulgar by the artworld, street art has become a vital part of the contemporary art scene, found in many galleries, museums, as well as the urban environment from which it emerged. Rochester is known as a destination city for street art, with a vibrant collection of murals and cultural projects created by local, national, and even international artists who promote the idea of “art for all” in …
The overwhelming demands of parenting take a toll on our mood, our energy, and how we show up for our children. Sabrina Vogler from Heart in the Moment Mindfulness Coaching will offer on-the-spot self-care tools for getting calm and supporting ourselves when we’re stressed. Sabrina Vogler is a Certified Professional Coach, Executive Coach, Grief Specialist, and widely recognized expert in mindfulness and self-compassion in private practice at Heart in the Moment Mindfulness Coaching, …
On July 24, 1964, chaos erupted in Rochester when the city’s Black community rebelled over rampant police brutality and racial inequity. The uprising led to a rebirth in Rochester’s fight for racial justice, rooted in the Black power movement, and radically changed the trajectory of the civil rights movement. Join historian and author Laura Warren Hill for an overview of Rochester’s long civil rights history based on her new book, …
You will learn to draw a vase filled with Fall flowers. This class is through Zoom
Join us for an outdoor storytime! Meet a children’s librarian at the hollow tree across from Lamberton Conservatory for stories, songs, and rhymes. Storytimes help promote early learning skills and are a great way to bond with your little one. Best for toddlers, but older and younger siblings are welcome! Sign language interpretation is available upon request. Please call 428-8304 ten days prior to the event. Call the Children's Center at 428-8150 …
Advance Registration is Required. Registration info. will be posted here, to ffrpl.org, each week for the following week's review. Books (two children’s titles): Opal's Greenwood Oasis by Najah-Amatullah Hylton and Quraysh Ali Lansana and Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford These historically accurate children's books describe Greenwood, one of the most prosperous black communities of the early 20th century, which was lost in the Tulsa Race …
Learn about the different types of computers you could buy and use: tablets, laptops, smartphones, and desktops. Learn about WIFI and how to use the mouse. We will use a browser to visit internet sites. No prior computer experience required. Call 428-8460 or register online for this class.
Join our bi-weekly books & more discussion sessions and flourish your love for reading and learning! Discussion topics range from YA classics, non-fiction to manga and graphic novels to poetry around the world. Registration is required. We meet in the B-hive meeting room on the 2nd floor at the Central Library. If you have any questions, please call or email Faezeh at: …
Artist Sara Blake will show you the joy of drawing a Zentangle. The Zentangle method is an easy to learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Zentangle is more than just a form of art it helps to relieve stress; it is very calming and offers enormous pleasure. One of the keys to this art form is to always take your time go slow and relax. The focus is …
What is playwriting? It’s where critical thinking meets imagination, where plumbing meets art, where structure is everything and there’s an audience waiting in real time—so you better get to saying what you want to say before that fly buzzing around the stage lights becomes the only living thing in the theater holding anyone’s attention. Want to learn more? Come join us for this four-part general …
Learn about many of the aspects of using your smartphone. Can I use WIFI to download apps? How do I delete an app? How do I transfer my pictures from my phone? Answer all these questions and more in this class. Register online or call 428-8460 to register.
Film Screening and Discussion Join local filmmakers Chris Christopher and Dave Marshall for a screening of their Emmy-award winning film Criminal Injustice: Death and Politics at Attica. Based on scores of interviews with eyewitnesses, as well as previously undisclosed documents, Criminal Injustice shines a light on new evidence regarding what exactly happened at Attica between September 9-13, 1971 and the role local, state, and even federal officials played there. The film raises important questions about the …
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