Library Events and Programs

Write a poetry on your own pace and submit it to the teen librarian to get appreciated. 

The Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County is hosting an exhibit featuring fairy houses created by the community from April 3 to June 28, 2025

Pick up an unicorn-themed scavenger hunt and see if you can find all the pictures hiding in the Children’s Center! Bring your completed scavenger hunt to the Children’s Librarian for a small prize. Sponsored by Friends of BML.

In March we will be reading Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichel. In this “poignant and hilarious” memoir, trailblazing food writer and beloved restaurant critic Ruth Reichl chronicles her groundbreaking tenure as editor in chief of Gourmet Magazine. Reichl’s passion for the role food plays in our lives is evident on every page, including a smattering of recipes that complement the narrative.  Join us for discussion and dessert in the library at 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 3^rd.  Space is limited, please register in advance.

Join us for a virtual ZOOM guided ACRYLIC painting class just for adults 18 and up.

You will need:    Water, paper towel, masking tape - Q-tips - toothpicks or old pen
Acrylic paints: light blue, dark blue, black, light green, dark green, orange, yellow, beige/brown, red/pink, purple and white.
Acrylic brushes: large Flat brush, medium Flat brush and a small Flat brush & small/medium round brush|
Item to paint on: canvas, wood board or any item to paint on

Please register for this program with a reliable email.
-If you don't get a confirmation for registering > your e-mail is not correct or might be in your spam folder.
Without a confirmation, you won't recieve the Zoom link when we email the class link> 1 day before the event.  

Write a poetry on your own pace and submit it to the teen librarian to get appreciated. 

Pick up an unicorn-themed scavenger hunt and see if you can find all the pictures hiding in the Children’s Center! Bring your completed scavenger hunt to the Children’s Librarian for a small prize. Sponsored by Friends of BML.

Stories, songs, and fingerplays make up this fun program for children of all ages.

Fridays, January 24-April 11, 9:45-10:30 AM

No registration required

Stories, songs, and rhymes for children aged 12-23 months with a caregiver, followed by play stations. No play time February 21.

A classroom driver refresher course designed for drivers aged 50 and over. Cost is $25 for AARP members and $30 for non members, payable at the beginning of class (only checks accepted). Must have a valid New York state license. Drivers need to attend both classes to get certificate. Bring your license. Registration required! 

*Please, be aware that this class may be canceled, at the request of the AARP, at any time. If this class is canceled you will be alerted by phone, please include your preferred phone number while registering. 

Preschoolers and their Caregivers are welcome to join with Miss Rosa at the Mendon Public Library to enjoy stories and songs in English and Spanish. Miss Rosa will read from a variety of books and share her love of language, culture, and creativity.  No registration required.  

Donate blood to help save lives. Make an appointment through the Red Cross.

Click here to go to the Red Cross website.

Stories, songs, and fingerplays make up this fun program for children of all ages.

Drop-in storytime featuring stories and songs for all ages with a caregiver.

Bubbles are usually reserved just for story time, but for this special day, we are bringing them out for all to enjoy! Come and enjoy the bubbles and dance as much as you want!

Open to ages 0-5. No registration required.

*Please choose one of two time slots to ensure we have enough space for everyone.

Thursdays and Fridays at 11 am

Join us for stories and songs that your youngsters will love!

Registration is not required.

*No registration required*

Tuesdays or Wednesdays, 9:40-10:05 AM

or Fridays, 11:00-11:25 AM

Songs, stories, and fun for children aged 2-3 and a caregiver. No story times February 18-21.

Stories, songs, and fingerplays make up this fun program for children of all ages.

First Friday Films: “A Real Pain” (2024; 90 minutes)

Friday, April 4, 2025, 12noon, Kate Gleason Auditorium

Two mismatched cousins travel to Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but old tensions and a troubled family history resurface. Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Oscar-winner Kieran Culkin; written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.

Adults.  Join us at the library for a free movie every Friday through April. Free snacks provided by The Friends of Mendon Public Library.  No registration necessary.  

Ordinary Angels (2024, Lions Gate Films, Inc, Rated PG, 116 minutes)

Inspired by the incredible true story of a hairdresser who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter.

Directed by: Jon Gunn

Cast: Alan Ritchson, Hillary Swank, Drew Powell, Skywalker Hughes

Meets monthly for 3 months. Work within a creative and supportive writing community to hone your craft and tell your story. Expect a variety of activities that will help you generate new ideas, revise existing projects, and establish effective writing practices for yourself. All levels of experience are welcome.

Jen Case teaches writing workshops and leads literary discussions at libraries and senior living communities around Monroe County. She also presents with the group Women of the Well as a storyteller, dancer, and singer. Her passion is creating unique programs that help people find their voices and share their stories in a welcoming environment.

Having received a B.A. in English from Alfred University and a M.S. in Education from SUNY College at Brockport, Jen has spent most of her adult life teaching in one capacity or another. She worked as Director of Programming at Writers & Books for a time and taught creative writing workshops at Borders Books. She also taught English at East High School, her alma mater, until the birth of her oldest child in 2005. She lives in Rochester with her husband and four school-age children, all of whom attend RCSD schools.

Due to low registration, this program has been cancelled. Check our tax form area for guidance, and look out for more programming next tax season!

Tax season has snuck up on us yet again with its unique and exciting challenges! Do you feel like you could learn little more about the tax process, how to benefit from it, and how to keep it as easy and safe as possible? Join us in welcoming Jacqueline Kelly-Myers, a representative with the IRS, as she teaches us about how taxpayers can obtain IRS assistance, prepare for filing season, choose a tax preparer, determine eligibility for refundable tax credits and protect themselves from tax-related identity theft. 

Even if you already filed your taxes this year, Jacqueline's presentation features a wealth of information for many tax filings to come - don't miss out!

Registration is appreciated!

Will we play a board game? Make a craft? Go on a scavenger hunt? Drop by after school to join the fun. For kids of all ages!

Humans are social beings and need human connection. Since COVID, people have become more isolated and alone. The purpose of a Community Circle is to create connection and foster community. The circle is a safe place where all are welcome, and all voices are honored and heard. We gather in a circle, using a talking piece where one person speaks at a time on a topic chosen by trained facilitators. This structure allows for participants to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe and controlled environment, encouraging an openness that is quite extraordinary - truly an experience of sharing from the heart.

Presented by PiRI, Partners in Restorative Initiatives.

registration required

Stop by to play MarioKart, Super Smash Bros, Just Dance, and more! 

You are invited to play our Nintendo Switch on Friday afternoons!  

We have multiple controllers and games are provided. Feel free to play, watch others play, and/or bring your own Switch. 

Registration not needed, drop-in anytime! Open to grades 6-12. 

Write a poetry on your own pace and submit it to the teen librarian to get appreciated. 

Pick up an unicorn-themed scavenger hunt and see if you can find all the pictures hiding in the Children’s Center! Bring your completed scavenger hunt to the Children’s Librarian for a small prize. Sponsored by Friends of BML.

Join us for Baby Storytime where we'll share our favorite rhymes, songs, and books, followed by a playtime with toys!  This program is designed for infants and toddlers age 0-24 months, but all ages are welcome. No registration.

For kids of all ages.

Join us for stories, songs, and more all about our favorite blue pup! Take photos with our Bluey backdrop, make a craft, and have some delicious snacks.

Registration is required and begins March 22. Please only register participating children for the event. 

A volunteer from Digital Literacy Rochester will be here this Saturday to provide tech help to those who need it. They can help with:

• Basic computer skills
• Using your smartphone or tablet
• Saving a document
• Navigating the Internet
• Applying for jobs
• Making an email address
• Using Microsoft Office and Google Docs

Questions? Call Literacy Rochester via (585) 473-3030.

*Appointment required*

Wednesdays, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Saturdays, 10:00 AM-Noon

For Adults

You may register for a one-hour appointment by contacting the library’s Information Desk. Trained volunteers from Literacy Rochester are available to assist individuals in learning computer skills including operating devices, the internet, and using software.

Are you dreaming of warm days on the beach? Create a lovely picture on a mini canvas using sea glass. You may copy an example or use your own creativity. All supplies provided.

In this monthly Zoom workshop you’ll work within a creative and supportive writing community to hone your craft and tell your story. Expect a variety of activities that will help you generate new ideas, revise existing projects, and establish effective writing practices for yourself. All levels of experience are welcome.

Jen Case teaches writing workshops and leads literary discussions at libraries and senior living communities around Monroe County. She also presents with the group Women of the Well as a storyteller, dancer, and singer. Her passion is creating unique programs that help people find their voices and share their stories in a welcoming environment.

Having received a B.A. in English from Alfred University and a M.S. in Education from SUNY College at Brockport, Jen has spent most of her adult life teaching in one capacity or another. She worked as Director of Programming at Writers & Books for a time and taught creative writing workshops at Borders Books. She also taught English at East High School, her alma mater, until the birth of her oldest child in 2005. She lives in Rochester with her husband and four school-age children, all of whom attend RCSD schools.

Join us for All Ages Storytime where we will share our favorite books, rhymes, and songs! The theme will be repeated throughout the week. This program is designed for toddlers and preschoolers, but all ages are welcome! No registration.

Find this month’s pattern, “Rye DK” by Tin Can Knits on Ravelry. Bring all supplies. Registration required.

*Registration is open*

Saturday, April 5, 10:30 AM-Noon

For Adults

Come paint yourself a tea towel! There will be plenty of stencils to choose from. You can also get wild and create your own design. Sample designs will be provided as well. As your towel dries, make a bookmark or two in honor of National Library Week. You can also donate one to the library and keep one for yourself.

This class is open to all adults, with English learning activities and games offered for children and teens. Kids ages 3 and up will work with Nazareth University Partners Program students in the Children's Room. Adults will work with a Literacy Rochester teacher. Registration is required and is for all dates.

A Monthly Genealogy Club co-sponsored by the Rochester Genealogical Society

Facilitated by John D. Caufield & Anna Tomasso

Are you a fan of family history? Do you wonder who your ancestors were and how you can learn more about them? Whether you are an experienced researcher or just starting out, we invite you to join our friendly, informal monthly gathering. Explore your questions, share your discoveries, and research your family’s past alongside fellow ancestry seekers.

Join the club as we explore a different theme or topic each month. 

The topic for the April session is: TBD

Registration for this FREE event is encouraged, but not required.

Just learning to read and maybe a little unsure of yourself? 

Come and read to a RocDog! A therapy dog is just waiting to support you.

Create a snail by sticking on buttons and sequins. All ages welcome. No registration.

Join a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist for games, storytelling, and interactive play, designed for your child to strengthen their communication skills. Best for ages 1 1/2-4 and their families.  

Come and join Art teacher Deb Coller and learn the basics of water color painting.

Calling all LEGO-ers! Come to the library for ultimate building fun with our awesome collection of Legos! All you need to bring is your imagination!

Lego Club meets bi-monthly and is designed for kids ages 5–12, but younger siblings are welcome (we have lots of Duplos!).

No registration.

Join us in the children's room every Saturday starting at noon for Nintendo Time. Play your favorite Switch games. Every week at Charlotte!