Legacy Programs

Books Sandwiched In (BSI)

• FFRPL’s Books Sandwiched In series of book reviews has been running continuously since 1956, each Fall and Spring.

Tuesday Topics

• Tuesday Topics is FFRPL’s Winter series of thematic talks, highlighting Library-specific programs, resources, and spaces.

Sokol H.S. Literary Awards

• Since 1958, FFRPL has sponsored a creative writing contest for Monroe County high school students in grades nine through twelve.

Special Events

Recurring Special Events

RPL online Author Series

• 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.

Rundel River to Roof Tours

• FFRPL’s unique ‘River to Roof Tours’ offered exclusive, behind-the-scenes views of the Rundel Memorial Building. Since 2022 ‘River to Roof Tours’ have been on hiatus.

Spooky Stories in the Stacks

• Offered occasionally during the Fringe Festival, Spooky Stories in the Stacks provided patrons with the unique experience of hearing ghost stories in the lower stacks of the Library, which weren’t otherwise open to the public. The program was created and presented by FFRPL and Central Library’s Local History & Genealogy Division. Access the full playlist of “Spooky Stories in the (virtual) Stacks” for 2020 and 2021. 

One-time Special Events

• FFRPL often funds and hosts one-time special events, such as author lectures and book-signings.

Community Partnerships

NEA’s Big Read 2023 Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky

• Ilya Kaminsky’s Deaf Republic was the subject of the NEA Big Read project during National Deaf History Month in April 2023, hosted by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester Public Library and Monroe County Library System were partner organizations; FFRPL helped provide ASL Interpreters for the author appearance at Gates Public Library.

Rochester Fringe Festival

• FFRPL helped RPL/Central Library serve as a presenting Venue in the Rochester Fringe Festival from 2016-2022. FFRPL regularly offered our signature River to Roof Tours and Spooky Stories in the Stacks as well as unique one-time events in support of the Fringe programming.
  • Access the full playlist of “Spooky Stories in the (virtual) Stacks” for 2020 and 2021. 

Rochester Reads

• From 2014-2022 FFRPL partnered with Rochester’s non-profit literary center, Writers & Books, to bring ‘Rochester Reads’ authors to Central Library for free readings/talks.

Rochester Children’s Book Festival and Festival-To-Go

• FFRPL has been a long-standing Fiscal Sponsor 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 Teen Read

• Since 2014, FFRPL has served as the Fiscal Sponsor for the Greater Rochester Teen 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

• The Rainbow Dialogues were designed as community building conversations that contextualize LGBTQ+ life in Rochester against the backdrop of local and national social justice issues.

Exhibits

Thematic, historical large-scale 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.

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