“Central Library is one of my favorite places in Rochester. Anyone looking for something fun to do downtown needs to check it out. Where else in one week can you meet the actors in the current Geva production, attend an art exhibit opening reception, listen to the arias of the ‘bad girls’ of opera, and learn about the history of the Monopoly board game — all in one location?

“The older Rundel Memorial Building is a grand piece of 1934 architecture, built right over the Johnson-Seymour Race of the Genesee River. The Literature and Local History Divisions in that building have amazing collections! Research your own family history or the history of great Rochesterians — Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and George Eastman, to name a few. The newer Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building across the street has a Media Center complete with a gadget bar, also Arts, Science, Business and Social Science Divisions. It has a store with new and used books and literary- and Rochester-themed gifts, and is soon to get a new locally-based cafe. The Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library, along with the Central Library divisions, offer several programs every week on books, music, history, health, art, science, race relations, genealogy, and things of special interest for children and teens. The Link Gallery has rotating art exhibits, including the Art of the Book exhibit on display now. With one library card, you can check out any book in the Monroe County Library System and have it delivered to the library of your choice for pickup — a very efficient service. Central Library is also sensitive to the needs of its patrons and provides space for agencies to offer health and legal services for the homeless population. Central Library serves the entire public with so many things — definitely one of my favorite places in Rochester!”

—Rebecca Fuss, Rochester
Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library (FFRPL)