Welcome to the Archive of Black History & Culture (ABHC): The (ABHC) will serve as a physical and digital educational resource for the residents of the Greater Rochester community to learn about the rich experiences and contributions made by members of Rochester’s Black population. Our community-curated archive will document history that has happened, and history as it happens!
Join our community of enthusiastic supporters and help propel the Central Library Liberators esports team to new heights! By becoming a dedicated supporter, you’ll play a crucial role in our journey towards achieving monthly income and sustaining our team’s success. How to Become a Dedicated Supporter:1. Create a Twitch Account: Sign up on Twitch if […]
Want something new to read but having a hard time picking something out without browsing the stacks? Come pick up a prepared book pack! Lincoln staff have created packs of 3-5 books and DVDs all focused on the same theme.
The Arnett Branch Library book spines mural has been expanded!
The Monroe County Library System is proud to offer Empire Passes for New York State Parks, which allow users to borrow free admission passes to hundreds of New York State Parks. The Empire Pass is your ticket to the great outdoors! Swim, hike, fish, play–it’s all free!
The Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County loans out mobile hotspots for free!
The Brownbag Book Discussion Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 12-1 pm in the Kusler-Cox Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the Rundel Building. In addition, there is a Zoom Brownbag discussion of the same book on the Friday following the Wednesday meeting, also from 12-1 pm.
Did you know that the Central Library is a Federal Depository Library, providing access to thousands of Government documents to the public? In the past we have maintained print copies of this collection. Now you can access the basic collection of this program digitally.
The Arts & Literature divisions are seeking to expand public program offerings. We are looking for in-person programming for both lecture and interactive craft-type programing, including artists in residence. Programs in a series are welcome, as are seasonal programs.
Interested in starting a new crafting hobby, but you want to try it before you buy it? You can now check out crafting kits at the Central Library!
Navigators from the Literacy Volunteers of Rochester work at the library and provide free on-site, drop-in service to participants who require assistance with technology.
Whether you’re new to family history or an old pro, our genealogy staff and resources can help you track down your long-lost ancestors.
Rochester City residents can now enjoy complimentary 72 hours of full off-site access to the New York Times at NYTimes.com through the Rochester Public Library. Learn How…
Yoko, a doll from Nagasaki, Japan, joins the George Cooper Doll collection at the Central Library in honor of a 91 year Friendship Doll exchange between Japan and the United States.
Udemy is now available to all City of Rochester residents via the RPL website. Udemy is Gale’s version of a Lynda.com resource with many video courses on many topics including, Finance & Accounting, Leadership & Management, Personal Development, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Design, and MORE!
The Central Library Art’s, Music and Recreation division now has games that you can check out from the library.
Did you know the library has thousands of ebooks and audiobooks?
You can borrow them, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand.
Get access to OverDrive’s Libby App for FREE on your mobile devices and start reading.
Learn more about the world of science with our new “Hands on Science Kits” available now in the Science & History Division.
Health Central has partnered with the University of Rochester School of Medicine to be a location for students in the Community Health Improvement Course. All fourth year students must take the course and spend one month at various agencies in the community.
The Job Information Center (JIC) has a comprehensive collection of materials designed for people who are exploring careers and seeking employment. Its specialized resources include reference and circulating materials.
RPL showcases a virtual author talk series each month featuring bestselling, award-winning, and highly acclaimed authors from around the world.
The Rochester Public Library is proud to now offer the NEW online language learning service, Pronunciator, to our City of Rochester patrons.
The place to go for interesting stories on local history and genealogy topics, as well as news and fun facts about the department and its collections.
Enjoy the magic of books in LOTE (Languages Other Than English).
Check out the latest updates on the Maplewood Community Library Expansion project and find information about their temporary location.
The Monroe County Library System and the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County are excited to introduce 5 new VIP Pass Explorer Kits to the popular VIP Pass collection.
Presented in partnership with driving-tests.org, The Rochester Public Library can now provide access to Car, motorcycle, and CDL practice tests and handbooks.
Free public webinars to read through and discuss the new regulations.
The Rochester Public Library has been an affiliate of the National Raising A Reader Program since 2012. Raising A Reader has become central to the services RPL offers families because of the positive impact on our community.
City of Rochester residents with an MCLS library card can now access our Local History & Genealogy databases from home–for free!
The Local History & Genealogy Division is home to the offices of the Rochester and Monroe County historians and the Monroe County Historical Archives.
A place for K-12 students (and adults, too!) to learn about the past through the stories of Rochesterians who experienced it first-hand. Access primary sources online!
This series of free monthly programs featuring talks on a variety of Rochester-related topics are presented by the Local History & Genealogy Division from 1:00 to 2:30 pm every third Saturday of the month from September through May.
In Rochester, access to opportunity and information is more important than ever. The Branch Facilities and Operations Master Plan provides recommendations and strategies that will position RPL to become one of the most pioneering library systems in the country when it comes to equity.
Explore what’s available for teens at the Branch and Central libraries.
It’s never been easier to find out what’s going on at the Central Library! Use this link to sign up for an electronic newsletter with upcoming events, new library services, recommended reading, and more. You’ll receive monthly library news delivered right to your email inbox!
Spring into a new book and support your local library by purchasing a “new to you book” from one of the many book sales happening at the local public libraries. See a full list of book sales happening near you HERE.
A tutor is here to help people prepare to take the high school equivalency exam on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County will be partnering with Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CASH) and the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) Tax Assistance Program to provide Individual tax filing assistance to the community. Each program has a different set of qualifications to receive assistance so please check out both programs below to see which one is best for you.
Are you a representative of a nonprofit organization and new to funding research? Learn how the resources of the Grants Resource Center at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County can help you become a more effective grant seeker.
Thinking of starting a business? Not sure where to start? The Small Business Resource Center of the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County collection contains materials on all aspects of starting and running a small business.
Imagine a place filled to the ceiling with thousands of toys of every variety, a veritable Wonka’s Factory of playthings. Imagine your children freely exploring this seemingly endless collection and then walking away with armloads of new toys. Imagine that it’s completely free.
Research, create, and collaborate! We offer free access to modern equipment and technology to help you bring your local history and genealogy projects to life.
If you’re a Rochester, NY area resident: We want your self-published zines for the Library’s Zine Collection! Whether you’re new to the medium, an established zinester, or somewhere in between, submit a copy of your work to the Library.
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