Welcome to the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County. 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, which opened in 1997. Located in the heart of Downtown Rochester, NY, at 115 South Avenue, the library offers the residents and employees 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.
Physical Collections
Explore our library catalog for a full list of books, movies, kits, music, and more on various topics.
Check out our Framed Prints to decorate your office or home. The framed print collection, located in the Art Division, consists of hundreds of pieces of artwork, from classics like Van Gogh’s Starry Night to more modern pieces by local artists. Each piece can be borrowed from the library for eight weeks and up to four pieces of work can be checked out at once.
In-Person Services
Visit our Business Insight Center for the latest information on market research, small business start-ups, financial research, and more.
The Central Library offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for working away from the office, study rooms to accommodate collaborative work, independent work, and virtual meetings.
The Central Library offers free outbound faxing and Notary services.
Visit our Local History & Genealogy Division for historical information about the City of Rochester, Monroe County, and the Finger Lakes region
Let us know if you and your colleagues would like to schedule a tour of the Central Library
Digital Collections
Checkout eBooks & eAudiobooks with our Libby collection
Get the Libby App
Expand your skills in math, science, word processing, professional growth, food, and more through Greate Courses.
Explore business statistics, market research, and more with our AtoZ Database, Gale Business Insights, Statista, Novel NY databases, and others on our MCLS Database page.
Enjoy Free Programming
The Central Library offers a wide variety of free programs, lectures, and workshops for all ages, throughout the day and evenings. View upcoming programs offered through the Central Library
Experience a variety of free exhibits throughout the library.
Join us in our reading garden, connected to the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building for Noon-time Concerts (a great place for lunch.) Speaking of lunch, the FoodLink Community Cafe is also located on the 1st floor of the Bausch & Lomb Public Library building offering delicious lunch options. Order online ahead of time for a quick pick-up when it is ready.
Apply for a Library Card
Library cards are free to residents of Monroe County and may be used at any public library in Monroe County.
Your Monroe County Library System card opens the door to a world of information and entertainment: books, e-books, movies, music downloads, CDs, audiobooks, online newspaper and magazine articles, library computers, and more. All you need to get started is a library card.
Card/Account Registration
You can register for a library card at any MCLS library. You will be required to show a form of identification to verify your identity and County residence. Youth and children’s cards can be issued at most ages with the approval of a guardian. Corporate and business card registration is also available.
Register for an MCLS E-Card, which provides access to our digital collections only. Our digital collections include downloadable e-books, e-audiobooks, and videos as well as research databases. Full borrowing and library use privileges can be obtained with on-site registration. When replacing an E-card with a full-service card, be sure to let us know so that we may transfer OverDrive transactions to your new card!
Don’t live in Monroe County? Register for an Out-of-County Card.
