Call for Entries! 2026 Sokol High School Literary Awards Contest

• Register
• After you register, you will be prompted to submit your entry via e-mail.

Entries from Monroe County public, private, charter schools and Home Schools are welcome!

Deadline to register and submit entries: Saturday, January 31.

Judging is by a special committee and experts in each field. Winners are announced in the Spring.

Thanks to the Community Foundation, who administers the Eli and Mildred Sokol Fund.

A fabulous Nutcracker exhibit can be found in the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County's Hacker Hall!  The exhibit includes beautiful photos from the Rochester City Ballet's 2026 production of the Nutcracker.  The exhibit, courtesy of Ana Suro, continues each day the library is open up to January 24, 2026.

Drop-in storytime featuring stories, songs, and activities for all ages with a caregiver.

Storytime for ages 0-2 years old with a caregiver, and may feature stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, or other activities.

At baby story time, caregivers will learn songs, rhymes, and fingerplays to use at home, and babies will begin their early education journey.

Join us for Baby Storytime where we'll share our favorite rhymes, songs, and books, followed by a playtime with toys!  This program is designed for infants and toddlers age 0-24 months, but all ages are welcome. No registration.

💻 Need technology help? We've got you covered! Literacy Rochester volunteers are available Monday mornings at the Gates Public Library from 9:30AM - 12:30PM and alternating Saturdays from 9:00AM - 12:00PM for your technology questions.

Get help with:

• Using a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone
• Uploading a document to a USB drive
• Connecting to a wireless network
• Creating and using an email account
• Finding and applying for jobs
• Working on Microsoft Office or Google Docs
• Creating a resume or cover letter

And much more!

Make an appointment today: https://literacyrochester.org/digital-literacy-appointment/

Join us for a short storytime full of rhymes, songs, and books for your little one followed by playtime!

Recommended for birth-2 years old. No registration required.

 A basic introduction to using computers. In this class, we’ll go over the computer’s hardware and how to use it, how to get on the internet, and how to create your own email. Maximum of 10 participants, no experience necessary, registration required. This is a series of 4 classes as a part of the Wired for Opportunity program. Those under the age of 14 need to have an adult with them. If students complete all 4 classes, they will receive a free Chromebook to take home. Limit of one device per person per household while supplies last. This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0206 awarded to Monroe County, New York by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Stories, songs, and fingerplays make up this fun program for children of all ages.

Join us for All Ages Storytime where we will share our favorite books, rhymes, and songs! The theme will be repeated throughout the week. This program is designed for toddlers and preschoolers, but all ages are welcome! No registration.

Drop-in storytime featuring stories, songs, and activities. Designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years with a caregiver but all ages are welcome.

Every Monday morning, we have story time with our Children's Librarian, Mary Jo. There are songs, stories, dancing and more!

Train your brain and think outside of the box with a variety of STEAM-related challenges. Recommended for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers. Registration is required.

Stories, songs, and fingerplays make up this fun program for children of all ages.

Train your brain and think outside of the box with a variety of STEAM-related challenges. Recommended for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers. Registration is required.

This month we get together in a friendly group setting during which we talk about what people are researching and share any tips or tricks that were learned this year! Come to share, or come to learn. All are welcome!

Registration not required.

For Adults. 

We invite you to welcome in the “most wonderful time of the year” with Roxanne Ziegler and John Gaspar of the Lyre Lyre Harp Duo.  Wrap yourself in a cozy hug as you find yourself relaxing to a medley of sentimental waltzes.  Let your mind meditate on the holy hush of December with beloved carols.  Feel your heart return to childhood as you hear timeless melodies that sing of magic.  Cheerfully greet the winter solstice as you listen to traditional sounds of the season!

Please register by calling 225-8951 or online at https://greecepl.librarycalendar.com/event/holiday-harps-47013

Disclaimer(s)

The Greece Public Library is accessible to people with disabilities. To request specific accommodations, call 585-225-8951 at least 10 days prior to the event, or you may contact us via email through our website.

Staff often take pictures at library programs. The library uses photos in its publicity, in social media, and on its website. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let us know before the program begins.

Welcome all who love to knit, crochet, sew, quilt, spin, weave and felt! Bring your projects and come visit!

Learn how to play or challenges others to a match. Ages 5-105.

Come in for basic resume help!

Join through Zoom or in-person at Maplewood Community Library for an hour free Citizenship Class.  There are 16-weekly sessions that repeat continuously.  We review colonial history, US history, US government and civics, writing and Yes/No questions.  All English levels welcome.  Also special help is available if your test date is near.  Contact through email at NewAmericans@libraryweb.org   Show a scanned piece of mail with a local address in Monroe County, NY for the Zoom link.

Give the gift of a heartfelt, handmade item this holiday season! Each day this week we will have different items for you to decorate and give as gifts to your loved ones. Gift bags and supplies to make handmade cards will also be available.

Artist Deb Coller will guide us to paint a beautiful holiday wreath using watercolors. You will be able to use your creation as a very special card for a very special someone.

The Open Page Sessions - Every third Monday of the month, 5:30pm-6:45pm

Join host and poet Taurus Savant in an open-mic style of poetry readings, sharing space and community with other writers and readers. Schedule permitting, up to ten readers will be given 3-5 minutes to share their piece via a sign-up sheet with a receptive audience. Sign-up begins at 5:30pm and readings begin at 6:00pm to be finished by 6:45pm.

A basic introduction to using computers. In this class, we’ll go over the computer’s hardware and how to use it, how to get on the internet, and how to create your own email. Maximum of 10 participants, no experience necessary, registration required. This is a series of 4 classes as a part of the Wired for Opportunity program. Those under the age of 14 need to have an adult with them. If students complete all 4 classes, they will receive a free Chromebook to take home. Limit of one device per person per household while supplies last. This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0206 awarded to Monroe County, New York by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Local mixed media artist and educator, Amy Robinson Gendrou will facilitate the use of guided writing, making art in a mindful setting, reflecting/witnessing, and voluntary sharing in order to reduce stress and anxiety, to externalize feelings, and promote relaxation and creativity. All supplies provided.

*Registration is open*

Monday, December 15, 6:00-7:00 PM

For Grades 6-8

Meet with other tweens who like to read! There will be snacks, crafts, and a chance to talk about books. In December, we’ll be reading Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera. When a powerful desert spirit kidnaps her sister, Cece Rios must learn forbidden magic to get her back.

The Children’s Room is full of fun on Monday nights! Wear your jammies, bring your stuffies, and enjoy an evening of stories, songs, and dancing with the whole family!

This program is designed for toddlers and preschoolers, but all ages are welcome! No registration.

An Amerks player will join us at the Seymour Library on MON. DEC 15 @ 6:30 pm. Hear a story, try on hockey gear, and meet the player (and the Moose) closer to home than ever! Open to all ages. No registration needed.

Would you like to create a miniature "greenhouse" where you can plant seeds that will rest through the winter, and will sprout at exactly the right time in the Spring? Then they can be planted out in your yard to make it beautiful! Join Kate Fleury, Master Gardener, and bring home a Winter Seed Sowing kit that is all ready to go. 

Presented by Color Westside Green. Registration is appreciated!

Join through Zoom for an hour free Beginning English Class.  This class is open to Monroe County, New York residents, because the library program is supported by Monroe County, NY taxes.  We review basic pronunciation, vocabulary, verbal phrases and tenses. Beginning English levels welcome.  Once you attend this group class, we could set up a weekly small group class for you to improve your English.  Contact through email at NewAmericans@libraryweb.org if you are interested in attending.  Show a scanned piece of mail with a local address in Monroe County, NY for the Zoom link.

Join us for the Evening Fiction Book Club! We meet every fourth Monday of every month at 7pm in the Community Room! This month we are reading The Vaster Wilds ​​by Laura Groff!

Each month's title has several hard copies available to check out at the Fairport Library, including a limited number of Books on CD. It is also available for download on Libby and Overdrive.