31 Monroe County Libraries

The Monroe Country Library System comprises 20 town and village locations, 10 Rochester Public Library branch locations, and the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, located in the heart of downtown Rochester.

More than just books, our libraries lend items like art, museum passes, toys, games, musical instruments, and tools. They offer programming that strengthens literacy skills and community connections. Libraries provide private access to information and support services for job seekers, entrepreneurs, in-depth research, and continuous learning.

A free library card allows you to access 31 Monroe County libraries and the digital library Libby, an app by OverDrive. You can borrow a VIP pass (Very Important Places), which provides discounts at area attractions, plus an Empire Pass for free access to most New York State Parks.

Central Library

Established in 1932, Central Library began services to the City of Rochester in the Rundel building in 1936, adding the Bausch & Lomb building in 1997.

The two buildings are joined together by a tunnel under South Avenue. Parking in the Court Street Garage—internally connected to the Bausch & Lomb building—is ideal for library patrons. To avoid parking fees, present your book receipt when you exit.

The Rundel building sits on the old subway and canal bed and current Johnson-Seymour Millrace. Inside the library, make your way to the back for a grand view of the river.

Seek out opportunities to take a “Roof to River” tour. You are led behind the scenes to see the basement, collection stacks, book distribution, trap doors allowing access to the river’s cool breeze, and the roof for an exceptional view of the river coursing through downtown.

And the Rundel Library building may be haunted—they even invited Ghost Hunters to investigate.

Look for the secret room in the children’s section of the Bausch & Lomb Library Building. The original secret room in the Rundel Library Building is no longer accessible—though you can ask to see where it was. The experience is still magical if you grew up listening to stories in the secret room.

Check out this Memorial Art Gallery “Story Walk” feature.

Town & Village Libraries

Each of our 19 towns and villages has one library, with the Town of Wheatland overseeing two village libraries—Scottsville and Mumford.

Pittsford Community Library

Established in 1803, the Pittsford Library has served the community from its current location since 2005.

Pittsford is the only Monroe County library with a Starbucks. There is also a reading garden on the east side of the building to enjoy the morning sun, afternoon shade, and the goings-on of canal-town life.

Ogden Farmers’ Library

Established in 1815 to serve the growing village of Spencerport, Ogden Farmers’ Library has served the community from its current location since 1992.

Fairport Public Library

Established in 1840, Fairport Public Library has served the community from its current location since 1978.

Parma Public Library

Established in 1891, Parma Public Library in the Village of Hilton has served the community from its current location since 1978.

Mendon Public Library

Established in 1912, Mendon Public Library has served the community from its current Honeoye Falls location since 2011.

Rush Public Library

Established in 1914, Rush Public Library has served the community from its current location since 1935.

East Rochester Public Library

Established in 1922, East Rochester Public Library has served the community from its current location since 1978.

Webster Public Library

Established in 1929, Webster Public Library has served the community from its current location since 2016.

Scottsville Free Library

Established in 1935, Scottsville Free Library has served the community from its original location. Along with the Mumford Branch, it is one of two libraries serving the Town of Wheatland.

Brockport-Seymour Library

Established in 1936, Brockport-Seymour Library has served the community from its current location since 1996.

Penfield Public Library

Established in 1942, Penfield Public Library has served the community from its current location since 1975.

Irondequoit Public Library

Established in 1947 in West Irondequoit, Irondequoit Public Library has served the community from its current location since 2015. Before opening this combined town library, East and West Irondequoit maintained two branches close to their respective high schools.

Newman Riga Library

Established in 1952, Newman Riga Library continues to serve the community from its original Churchville location.

Brighton Memorial Library

Established in 1953, Brighton Memorial Library continues to serve the community from its original location.

Henrietta Public Library

Established in 1958, the Henrietta Library has served the community from its current location since 2019.

Gates Public Library

Established in 1961, Gates Public Library has served the community from its current location since 2011.

Chili Public Library

Established in 1962, Chili Public Library has served the community from its current location since 2021.

Greece Public Library

Established in 1963, Greece Public Library has served the community from its current location since 2000.

Scottsville Free Library, Mumford Branch

Established in 1971, Scottsville’s Mumford branch has served the community from its original location.

Hamlin Public Library

Established in 2000, Hamlin Public Library has served the community from its current location since 2014.

City Branch Libraries

Each branch library serves as a center for learning and cultural engagement for their neighborhood. In addition to enriching programs for children, they offer a variety of book clubs, musical performances, local art shows, and other special services, events, and classes.

Charlotte Branch

Established in 1919, Charlotte Branch Library has served the community in its current location since 1961 from a building built in 1939.

Arnett Branch

Established in 1926, Arnett Branch Library has served the community in its current location since 1984. Arnett is our first solar-powered location in the Monroe County Library System.

Monroe Branch

Established in 1930, Monroe Branch Library has served the community from its original location. This branch also has a TARDIS for an elevator.

Sully Branch

Established in 1953, Sully Branch Library has served the community from its original location. The 40,000-square-foot Thomas P. Ryan Jr. Community Center houses the Sully Library, Webster Community Center, and Audubon School No. 33.

Maplewood Community Library

Established in 1959, Maplewood Community Library has served the community from its original location.

Phillis Wheatley Community Library

Established in 1971, Phillis Wheatley Branch Library has served the community from its original location. Named in honor of the first published African-American woman and first published African-American poet, the library is a hub for community engagement in a building designed by architect James H. Johnson.

Lyell Branch

Established in 1985, Lyell Branch Library has served the community from its original location.

Frederick Douglass Community Library

Established in 1986, Frederick Douglass Community Library has served the community from its original location. Previously named Highland Branch, it was renamed in 2016 to honor the most influential civil and human rights advocate of the 19th century who once lived where the library now stands. Read more about Douglass’ rural Rochester home.

Lincoln Branch

Established in 1994, Lincoln Branch Library has served the community from its original location.

Fun fact, the Lincoln Branch is home to the largest collections of books and films in Spanish in the RPL system, and many of its staff members are bi-lingual. In addition, Lincoln offers the only Toy Library in the county. Not only can you borrow directly from the branch, but you can also look at their collection online and place a hold or transfer, just like books and other media. On top of that, they offer a 2500 sq. ft. play space for young children to interact with other children and with their caregivers.

Winton Branch

Established in 1966, Winton Branch Library has served the community from its original location. There is an outdoor reading garden with a meandering path and bench seating.

I found this quote on the library website both funny and fitting:

“What does the word library mean to you? Does it mean a stuffy silent place where bookworms gather the dust of ages? Well, if it does, you’re sure not keeping up with the times…Snap out of it, Brother…Wake up and live! You’re missing a lot.”

May 1936 article in the Rochester Gas & Electric News, author Landis S. Smith

Google Map of Locations

view map separately here

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What do you value most about our Monroe County libraries?

For each Monroe County Library, I’ve noted the year they were established and the year they acquired their most current building. Thank you to the MCLS Local Historians for helping gather that information. I think it helps emphasize the importance libraries have had throughout our history.

Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.