Frederick Douglass Community Library

06/23/2026

Corinne is one of our favorite people!

A hearty congratulations on her retirement goes out to a brilliant member of the Rochester Public Library, Corinne Clar. Corinne is the head of RPL’s Graphics Division. She and her team are the ones who have created a staggering amount of beautiful and informative online content, banners, fliers and publications for us. That work only scrapes the surface of what Corinne had done for our library community. She is a key reason Central Library and its branches have so many delightful and artistic displays. She is also a key reason the library’s mobile fleet of Books by Bikes and RPL-Go look so nice. There is no way we can list all the marvelous things Corinne had done for us but we here at Arnett want to give her a special thank you for creating the book, The Arnett Branch Library, 1923-2023! That book, which we will put in the comments, celebrates our wonderful patrons. Thanks for everything Corinne, we could not have asked for a more kinder, wiser, and talented friend!

06/18/2026

✨Sparkle Day was a high success! Our last Thwacky Thursday was ✨sparkle themed for our sequins Queen, our retiring Branch Manager Evanna! Make sure to stop in the next couple weeks so say goodbye! We can’t wait to hear all about her future adventures 🏕️🏝️🚢🕶️☀️

06/18/2026

CLOSED for JUNETEENTH. Friday, June 19 we will be closed to honor Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when 250,000 slaves in the state of Texas were declared free by the U.S. Army. It’s a time for celebrating the perseverance of Black Americans, and a reminder of the importance of freedom and the continued fight for justice. Enjoy the day!

06/12/2026

Be sure to pop into the Frederick Douglas Community Library in the next couple weeks to wish Evanna DiSalvo a “Fare thee well!” Seen here with some of her colleagues, Evanna is retiring after providing our community with amazing service these many years. A brilliant librarian with a genuine love of her team, library neighborhood, and patrons, Evanna is a classic servant leader. Among her many accomplishments, she has ensured that the Frederick Douglass Community Library is a key and beloved part of the neighborhood she cherishes so well. She has brought joy, enlightenment, and beauty to the library in so many ways. It would be impossible to list all the wonderful things she has done for Rochester in general and the South Wedge, Highland Park, Lilac, and Maplewood neighborhoods in particular but we cannot resist mentioning the delightful way she and her team celebrate each new library card recipient. Thanks for everything Evanna, and thanks for letting the Rochester Public Library Branch Administration team write this post. Best wishes to you on your next adventures!

06/02/2026

Last call for t-shirt designs!
If you haven't turned yours in it will be accepted until 6pm Friday June 5th.👫

Send a message to learn more

05/26/2026

Pick up an entry form today - time is running out!
Submissions will now be accepted until Friday June 5th.

05/22/2026

Pick up your “community Exploration Field Guide” and discover the incredible work of African American artist John Rhoden (1916–2001).
Visit the Memorial Art Gallery and you can enter to win a year-long family membership to MAG. Need a ride? We have bus passes for you to go!

05/06/2026

Back by popular demand!! Stop by and shop our Community Flea Market! Interested in selling? Sign up via the link in our bio 👆 space is limited so sign up today!

05/01/2026

We need your stuff!! Help us make this our biggest book sale ever!

We are now accepting donations for our Bi-Annual Boom Sale. Gently used books, CDs, DVD/Blu-Rays. Drop off your donations during our open hours!

04/22/2026

Just down the street!

Independent bookstores are making a comeback, offering personalized recommendations and curing reading slumps. Independent Bookstore Day is April 25. See link below ⬇️

📸 Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle file photo