Legacy Programs
Books Sandwiched In (BSI)
- FFRPL’s popular Books Sandwiched In series of book reviews has been running continuously since 1956, each Fall and Spring.
Tuesday Topics
- FFRPL’s Winter series highlights Library-specific programs, resources, and spaces.
Sokol H.S. Literary Awards
- Since 1958, FFRPL has sponsored an annual creative writing contest for Monroe County high school students.
Thematic, large-scale historical and cultural exhibitions
- FFRPL supports Central Library’s perennial large-scale exhibitions and related programming.
Annual Art of the Book & Paper International Juried show
- FFRPL has supported Central Library’s Art of the Book & Paper project since the first exhibit in 2011, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Rochester Public Library.
Special Events
Recurring Special Events
Black History Month
- FFRPL helps support and promote the Library’s programming and resources dedicated to Black History Month each February.
RPL online Author Talks
- Free online talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders.
- Presented by the Rochester Public Library, FFRPL and the Library Speakers Consortium.
Music in the Garden
- FFRPL regularly sponsors a variety of concerts at Central Library’s Dorris Carlson Reading Garden.
- FFRPL often funds and hosts one-time special events, such as author lectures and book-signings.
Community Partnerships
Rochester Children’s Book Festival and Festival-To-Go
- FFRPL has been a long-standing supporter of the Rochester Children’s Book Festival (RCBF) which historically has been held in November at Monroe Community College.
- RCBF’s free Festival-To-Go program brings the Festival to K-6 students at select Rochester City Schools each year who might not otherwise have access.
Greater Rochester Youth Read (previously Greater Rochester Teen Read)
- Since 2014, FFRPL has served as the Fiscal Sponsor for the Greater Rochester Youth Read. We also help support their program and publicity efforts.
- GRTR encourages everyone in the community to read the same Young Adult book.
Anthony Mascioli Rainbow Dialogues
- FFRPL sponsors Central Library’s Rainbow Dialogues, community-building conversations that contextualize LGBTQ+ life in Rochester against the backdrop of local and national social justice issues.
