of the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
2nd floor, Bausch and Lomb Public Library Building
(585) 428-8150 Hours
Children's Materials
The Children’s Center includes fiction and non-fiction materials in all subject areas for children from infancy through sixth grade. Special materials for children include:
Cardboard books for toddlers
Easy reading books for beginning readers
Picturebooks for a variety of ages
Novels and informational books for elementary age children
Books in Spanish and other languages.
Audio tapes and CDs, book/cassette and book/CD sets.
Recommendations
Click on Librarians' Favorite Children's Books or Spotlight on Children's Books... to see lists of recommended books. These lists are updated monthly. To have these or other lists emailed to you each time they are updated, click here. Follow the three easy steps.
Adult Materials
A collection for adults, called Work with Children, contains reference and circulating materials for parents, teachers, and others working with children. Topics include:
- Children’s literature (using books with children, book-related curriculum activities, history and criticism, biographical and critical information on authors and illustrators)
- Storytelling (how-to books)
- Library service to children,
- Selected parenting books.
Also available are professional journals and bibliographies.
Computers in the Children’s Center provide access to the Kids Catalog, an on-line catalog designed especially for children, and Internet access for children through sixth grade.
Programs
The Children's Center offers a variety of programs for children throughout the year, including picturebook storytimes, traditional storytelling, musical programs, puppet shows, magic shows, etc. Many of these programs are held during school recesses and summer vacation times. To find out about programs see Events and Classes.
The Children's Center staff also conducts a variety of programs by appointment for groups of children preschool through sixth grade and adults interested in children's books and reading. Programs provided for groups can include picturebook programs, storytelling, general introduction to the library and the Children's Center collection, library instruction and tours. To schedule a group visit call (585) 428-8150.
A memorable feature of the Children’s Center is the Secret Room, which is entered through a hidden door in the wall. The room houses the George W. Cooper International Doll Collection. In the 1930s, through a doll exchange with schools and organizations in other countries, the students and teachers of #43 School gathered a collection of 180 dolls dressed in traditional clothing. Since its donation to the library in 1940, the collection has grown through individual donations to over 200 dolls.