The Friends of the Rochester Public Library, formed in 1953, is a not-for-profit organization of people who love libraries. Friends memberships are used to support Rochester Public Library programs and services which could not otherwise be obtained through public library funding.
The Friends sponsor many programs each year that encourage an interest in the library and enrich our cultural community, such as:
Books Sandwiched-In programs are free, lunchtime book reviews by exciting local experts and celebrities that are offered in the Fall and Spring.
Tuesday Topics and Thursday Thinkers programs are free, lunchtime presentations about a wide variety of current issues of interest and concern presented by professionals in those areas. 2010 brochure will be posted as soon as it is available. *Thursday Thinkers are now noontime presentations.
Weekend Programs are held throughout the fall, winter, and spring at various Rochester Public Library branches. They cover a wide range of activities that are enjoyable to families and are free of charge.
Sokol High School Literary Awards
The Sokol High School Literary Contest offers Monroe County high school students the opportunity to have their creative writing evaluated by well-known authors.
Sokol Awards 2009
To enter, students in grades 9-12 may submit their original poems and short works of fiction to the Friends of the Rochester Public Library, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604. The deadline for entries is 4:00 p.m. January 29, 2010. For entry rules view the flyer, email: Linda.Rock@libraryweb.org, or call the Friends office at 428-8350 .
Sokol Awards 2008
Friends-to-Friends Grants
Since 1995, Friends of the Rochester Public Library has offered a unique grant program for schools, community agencies, and libraries. Friends-to-Friends Grants are awarded annually to individual projects that foster the love of books, reading and lifelong learning in children and that encourage the establishment of linkages with public libraries. To date, over eighty grants have been awarded. You may download the guidelines and cover sheet for this year’s grant program as well as the required assessment form.
Brownbag Book Discussions
Join us for Central Library’s monthly Brownbag Book Discussion. Fiction is our focus and discussion is informal and open to all. The group meets at noon on the 4th Wednesday of each month in the Literature Division’s study room in the Rundel Building.
See "Events & Classes" listings for the next title and author. No reservations are required.
Group Moderator: Carol Moldt
Librarian, Central’s Literature Division
For more information call 428-8375
Bring your lunch - Refreshments will be provided
MCLS Retirees Luncheon
The Friends of the RPL and the Staff Association co-host an annual Retirees Luncheon. Please follow this link to view the photo gallery from September 2009.
Please follow this (pdf) link to see:
The Board of Trustees
The Friends accept gifts and bequests to benefit the library and to create innovative programming.
Now, more than ever, Libraries Need Your Support!
Please print and mail this form to join!