News Release - Central Library Cuts Ribbon on Renovated Teen Central Area and Arts Division

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County

 News Release

(Wednesday, May 24, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren joined Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo to officially celebrate the grand opening of the Central Library’s newly renovated Arts Division and Teen Central Spaces.

“These upgrades to the Central Library are all about investing in our community and providing the tools necessary for everyone, especially our young people, to reach their full potential,” said Mayor Warren. “Libraries greatly enhance the economic and cultural vitality of our city, and bolster our efforts to create safer more vibrant neighborhoods and more jobs through better educational opportunities and information access.”

“The Rochester Public Library does a tremendous job working with youth in our community," said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo.” Beyond checking out books, today’s library is helping young people succeed in education and jobs as well as preparing them for lasting careers. The Central Library’s teen center is another great asset here in Monroe County that will lead teens on the right path and provide them opportunities to learn skills which will help them prepare for their futures.”

The Central Library’s Art Division has been moved from the second floor in the Bausch and Lomb Library Building to the North Wing on the first floor of the Rundel Memorial Library Building. Highlights of the renovation include; a new programming room, gallery space, new lighting, mobile displays for programs and events and charging stations for laptops or phones.

Teen Central, which houses teen-specific resources and programing, has been moved from the lower level of the Bausch and Lomb Library Building to the second floor. The new glass enclosed space was designed in part by teen focus groups who were involved in making recommendations on furnishings and room color schemes. A flexible floor plan supports solo study spaces and group work. Two gaming areas allow teens to challenge each other to a game of chess or test the latest computer games. The new Teen Central also features audio and video recording studios and collaborative space for ImagineYou, a media production skills training program.

Both projects are part of the Central Library’s multi-year Master Space Plan and are funded by the Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public Library’s “From Collections to Community” capital campaign. To date $1.1 million has been raised to further the Rochester Public Library’s potential to host larger events and exhibitions and broaden its mission-based educational programs.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.