The 5,000-item Rochester Toy Library, located within Lincoln Branch Library
in Rochester’s Upper Falls neighborhood, is a safe, inviting play space
children and families.
There are more than books to “check out” at Rochester area libraries in 2023. Recently, a host of exciting new library collections debuted, including seed libraries (Chili and Irondequoit Public Libraries), a Library of Things (Penfield Public Library), and a wholly revamped Toy Library at the newly renovated Lincoln Branch Library.
Complementing these new area additions are some exceptional existing offerings, including high-tech Makers Labs, game and equipment collections, and park and museum pass lending programs.
Check out these fantastic opportunities to create, discover, explore, and recycle in greater Rochester.
Toy Library: Lincoln Branch Library
Redesigned and reopened in August 2023, the Rochester Toy Library is a local treasure. The large, colorful Toy Library is a safe and inviting play space for young children and their families located within the Lincoln Branch Library in Rochester’s Upper Falls neighborhood. Monroe County Library System cardholders can check out toys for three weeks—from a Fisher Price bubble mower to learning games, dump trucks, and castle playsets. The extensive Toy Library collection contains 5,000 items, many available for online reserva
tion and delivery to Monroe County System branch libraries.
ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY LINCOLN BRANCH
851 Joseph Ave., Rochester, 14621
428-8210
STEAM Lab, MAKER’S Lab, and Seed Library: Irondequoit Public Library
Kids can let their creativity shine at the new STEAM Lab in the Children’s Library at Irondequoit Public Library. Designed for elementary-age users, the drop-in science, technology, engineering, art, and music maker space is stocked with supplies for crafting, creating, and building. Check the library calendar for upcoming scheduled make-and-take workshops.
Upstairs in the adults-only MAKER’s Lab, digitizing equipment, sewing and embroidery machines, a Glowforge laserpowered crafting machine, a 3-D printer, and a Cricut die-cutter are available to use by reservation in sixty-minute time blocks. You can even borrow some MAKER’s Lab equipment for home use. Items obtainable by request include an Oculus
virtual reality headset, a podcast recording kit, a ghost hunting kit, a sewing machine, and a Cricut Joy. Submit a MAKER’s Lab reservation or equipment hold request and review training information by visiting the Maker’s Lab page at irondequoitlibrary.org.
Just outside the MAKER’s Lab, check out the new Seed Library. Categorized by the ease of planting, vegetable and ornamental flower seeds are available to take home and plant. At the end of the growing season, patrons are encouraged to return cultivated seeds for others to enjoy.
IRONDEQUOIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
1290 Titus Ave., Rochester, 14617
336-6060
Irondequoit Public Library’s new self-service Seed Library is located on the
second floor, outside the MAKER’s Lab.
Discover It Yourself Collection: Henrietta Public Library
From a lemonade stand and a pasta maker to a karaoke machine, snowshoes, and a bubble machine, the Discover it Yourself collection at Henrietta Public Library is a treasure trove of options for learning and hands-on fun. Housed in the library’s children’s section, the eclectic Library of Things collection contains more than 100 items, including an electric guitar, a pasta maker, a science lab kit, board games, and a weather center. Upstairs in the adult section, you’ll find more fun board games. Stop in to browse or request a specific item.
HENRIETTA PUBLIC LIBRARY
625 Calkins Rd., Rochester, 14623
359-7052
Library of Things: Penfield Public Library
A Library of Things has arrived at the Penfield Public Library! Mobile hotspots, puzzles, and kids’ and family board games are the first three additions to the new collection, which debuted in Summer 2023. Items must be checked out in person and may be kept for three weeks. Donations of complete games and puzzles in good condition are welcomed.
PENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
1985 Baird Rd., Penfield, 14625
340-8720
SPARK Lab & Seed Library: Chili Public Library
From digital die cut and heat press machines to make personalized clothing to a sewing machine and 3-D printer, Chili Public Library’s SPARK Lab Makerspace offers a range of tools to design your inspired creations. The in-house studio welcomes creators during scheduled lab hours. Adult supervision is required for children.
If you can’t make it during lab hours, you can check out a themed art or STEM kit to create at home. Choices include metal stamping, Cricut Joy, loom knitting, woodworking, coding, and robotics.
Stop in the lobby on your way out to visit the new Seed Library. The self-checkout collection includes vegetable, flower, and herb seeds stored in small envelopes. The Seed Library complements a new native plant garden designed and installed by the Hubbard Springs Garden Club of Chili.
CHILI PUBLIC LIBRARY
3237 Chili Ave., Rochester, 14624
889-2200
Chili Library’s SPARK Lab offers equipment and design space for creators.
ImagineYou Lab: Rochester Public Library Central Branch
Did you know that Rochester’s Central Library has a high-tech learning lab for teens? Located in the Teen Department, the handson, adult-supervised ImagineYou digital media lab features equipment for creating art, music, podcasts, videos, and more. The Teen Department also sponsors an e-sports team and a Girls Who Code club. Visit roccitylibrary.org/services/teens/imagineyou/ for details and hours.
CENTRAL LIBRARY
115 South Ave., Rochester, 14604
428-7300
Outdoor Games, Fishing Poles, Museum Passes & More: Wood Library
Canandaigua’s Wood Library offers “stacks” of opportunities to get active, connect, and explore. An outdoor games collection, found in the Children’s Section, is one of the play-oriented offerings. You can check out a pickleball, bocce ball, cornhole, horseshoes, or washer game set. During the summer, you can borrow fishing poles and a tackle box. Year-round, you can request a family pass to Rochester Museum & Science Center or Genesee Country Village & Museum, or an Empire Pass, valid for free vehicle access to New York State parks. These items are available on a first-come, first-serve, walkup basis.
Wellness Kits, mobile hotspots, an EV charging station, and Memory Kits for individuals with memory impairment are just a few new ways the library strives to welcome every member of the community. A newly expanded children’s area features a reading nook and a play log cabin—a cozy space for kids to hang out while parents enjoy a good book. If that’s not enough incentive, how about a warm drink?
“We offer coffee and tea—remember to bring your own mug,” says library executive director Jenny Goodemote.
WOOD LIBRARY
13 North Main St., Canandaigua, 14424
394-1381
