The Monroe County Library System
In the month of July, 2015, I ventured into the Monroe County Library System, visiting each library within the County. This system consists of 33 Public Libraries in the City of Rochester, NY and numerous outlying towns in Monroe County. Monroe County Libraries are unionized, and all but 3 of the libraries (Scottsville, Riga and Ogden as noted below) fall under NYS civil service and the State retirement system. The Smallest library in the system is Highland Branch Library on South Avenue, and the largest library in the city system is Central Library on South Avenue. One of the largest in the branches is Greece Library, and possibly Fairport and Irondequoit who are currently building new libraries. In a ratio of workers, I found more male librarians In this system, as compared to NIOGA, mostly working at Central and city libraries, compared to only one, within the 22 libraries of the NIOGA system. I learned a lot about demographics and how libraries serve the communities in which they reside. To borrow books from Monroe County, if you live outside of Monroe County, you must pay a $30.00 yearly membership fee. In NIOGA system, one can borrow books 3 county wide, free of charge. via intra-library loan. I found the libraries in this system spectacular and interesting. One part of great interest is the Toy Library at Lincoln Branch, which houses 5000 toys patrons can check out like books. One of 12 in NYS, and the largest of all 12 Toy Libraries in the State.
According to the book " Scottsville Free Library" - A short story, The Monroe system started developing around the year 1928, and not until 20 years later, it started to take off. Libraries users in this system, can use intra-library loan, and can also borrow books from other library systems outside of their own. Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, and Wyoming through the Pioneer Library system, which greatly expands their abilities. Users can also borrow from 500 other libraries in 53 counties through reciprocal agreements. Below are pictures that I took on my tour of the Monroe County system. I had a lot of fun talking to librarians, and clerks, pages and directors and "borrowing" a lot of ideas from the displays I have seen, for using in my future. I would advise anyone who is interested in working in a library someday to venture into other libraries and see what they have to offer. This summer has been a very enlightening experience in seeing libraries outside of the boundaries of my hometown. It sure has been an eye opening experience and very worthwhile.
According to the book " Scottsville Free Library" - A short story, The Monroe system started developing around the year 1928, and not until 20 years later, it started to take off. Libraries users in this system, can use intra-library loan, and can also borrow books from other library systems outside of their own. Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, and Wyoming through the Pioneer Library system, which greatly expands their abilities. Users can also borrow from 500 other libraries in 53 counties through reciprocal agreements. Below are pictures that I took on my tour of the Monroe County system. I had a lot of fun talking to librarians, and clerks, pages and directors and "borrowing" a lot of ideas from the displays I have seen, for using in my future. I would advise anyone who is interested in working in a library someday to venture into other libraries and see what they have to offer. This summer has been a very enlightening experience in seeing libraries outside of the boundaries of my hometown. It sure has been an eye opening experience and very worthwhile.
Brockport-Seymour Public Library, located at 161 East Avenue, Brockport, NY
Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, located at 115 South Avenue, Rochester NY
(Rundel Memorial Library)
(Rundel Memorial Library)
Extension Outreach Department Library of the Rochester Central Library, located at 115 South Ave. Rochester NY
Highland Branch of the Rochester Public Library, located at 871 South Avenue, Rochester NY
****Now called The Frederick Douglass Community Library
****Now called The Frederick Douglass Community Library
Monroe Branch of the Rochester Public Library system, located at 809 Monroe Avenue, Rochester NY.
The Winton Branch, located at 611 Winton Road North. Known for its large collection of Russian Books.
The Chili Public Library, located at 3333 Chili Avenue, Chili NY.
Gates Public Library, located at 902 Elm Grove road, Rochester NY.
Ogden Farmers' Library, located at 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, NY (Association Library)
The Henrietta Public Library, located at 455 Calkins Road, Rochester, NY
The East Rochester Public Library, Located at 317 Main Street, East Rochester, NY
The Hamlin Public Library, located at 1680Lake Road, Hamlin NY
Lincoln Regional Branch Library, Located at 851 Joseph Avenue, Rochester NY
This Library is also the home of the Children's Toy Library. There are 5000 toys that can be checked out like books.
This Library is also the home of the Children's Toy Library. There are 5000 toys that can be checked out like books.
Phillis Wheatley Community Library, Located at 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way, Rochester NY
Arnett Branch Library, located at 310 Arnett Boulevard, Rochester NY.
The Newman Riga Library, Located at 1 Village Park road, Churchville, NY (Association Library)
The Penfield Public Library, Located at 1985 Baird Road, Penfield NY
The Pittsford Public Library, Located at 24 State Street, Pittsford NY
The Scottsville Free Library. Located at 28 Main street, Scottsville NY (Association Library)
The Scottsville Free Library, Mumford Branch, Located at 88s George street, Mumford NY (Association Library)
The Rush Public Library, located at 5977 East Henrietta road, Rush NY
The Mendon Public Library, located at 22 North Main street, Honeoye Falls NY
The Brighton Memorial Library, located at 2300 Elmwood Ave, Rochester NY
The Webster Public Library, located at 980 Ridge Road, Webster NY
The new Irondequoit Library on Titus Avenue. Beautiful Library
The Greece Public Library Barnard Crossing Branch, located at 2808 Dewey Avenue, Rochester NY
The Greece Public Library, located at 2 Vince Tofany Boulevard, Greece NY
The Charlotte Branch Public Library, located at 2557 Lake Avenue, Rochester NY
The Maplewood Community Library, located at 1111 Dewey Avenue, Rochester NY
The Lyell Branch Public Library, located at 956 Lyell Avenue, Rochester NY
The Sully Branch Library, located at 530 Webster Avenue, in the Beechwood district, Rochester NY
The New Fairport Public Library, located on Main street Fairport NY. Its a gigantic library all on one floor. Building plans as below.
The Parma Public Library, Located at 7 West Avenue, Hilton, NY