Rochester Public Library Records

The history of libraries in Rochester dates back to the 1820s and 1830s with the formation of literary social clubs such as the Rochester Athenaeum, which was founded in 1828, and the Mechanics’ Literary Association, founded in 1836. Groups such as these sponsored book collections that were often made available to the public. The two aforementioned groups merged in 1847 to form the Athenaeum and Mechanics Association. Their book collection grew to several thousand over the years. However, the association fell on hard times and was bankrupt by 1877. Its collection was sold.

Mortimer Reynolds, prominent lifelong Rochesterian and businessman, came to purchase the collection virtually intact. Reynolds sought to form a new library (comprised of the collection he bought) in honor of his father and brother, Abelard and William Reynolds, who were strong benefactors of the Athenaeum and Mechanics Association. The Reynolds Library was incorporated in 1884. After ironing out preparations, the library opened to the public in the Reynolds Arcade on East Main Street in 1886. It was a privately endowed free lending library that concentrated on a strong reference collection. Mortimer Reynolds died in 1892 and he left his home, a mansion on Spring Street, for the library’s new headquarters.

The Reynolds Library was open to the public. Other libraries, like the University of Rochester and the Rochester Free Academy libraries, were also open to the public at times. However, the people of Rochester wanted their own library. Finally, Mayor Hiram Edgerton signed an amendment to the city charter in 1911 providing for a Rochester Public Library. The library system was set up on a branch plan and branches were immediately proposed. It was decided to hold off on forming a central library for the moment until proper plans, location and financing could be decided. Exposition Park Branch, the first in the Rochester Public Library, was opened in 1912 (located in what is today Edgerton Park). Budget problems, World War I and other encumbrances postponed the creation of a central library facility in the city although the public continued to support the idea. When the former Kimball Tobacco Factory (on the northeast corner of Court and Exchange) was taken over by the city as a City Hall Annex, space was provided in the building for the Central Library, which opened there in 1926.

While the Central Library in the old tobacco factory proved more suitable than expected, the construction of a new building was still in the works. Little notice was taken in 1911 when a Rochesterian named Morton W. Rundel died. However, people soon knew of the name Rundel when it was discovered he bequeathed $400,000 to the city for a library and fine arts building. Numerous delays prevented the immediate construction of a building. There were debates about whether to build a library or a fine arts building, where to build the structure, was there enough money to build and whether or not to share space in the proposed building with a museum. Rundel’s heirs, claiming the city had not spent the bequest in a reasonable amount of time, filed a lawsuit against the city. The money was tied up in litigation until the courts ruled in favor of the city. Also there were ongoing negotiations with the trustees of the Reynolds Library concerning the merging of their collections.

Twenty-two years after the Rochester Public Library was established, construction finally began on a central library. An agreement was completed with the Reynolds Library to combine their collections in the new building with the stipulation that a Reynolds Reference Library would be maintained in the Rochester Public Library. The Rundel bequest, after accruing interest over the years, now amounted to about one million dollars. A PWA (Public Works Administration) federal grant of several hundred thousand dollars supplemented the Rundel fund. A site had been chosen along the Genesee River on South Avenue between Court and Broad Streets. Ground was broken in December of 1933 after all arrangements had been made. The city of Rochester would at long last have the central library it had dreamed of. The local architectural firm of Gordon & Kaelber was chosen to design the library. The building has been described as a modern interpretation of the Renaissance style. The Ohio-based Hunkin-Conkey Construction Co. was hired as the general contractor. However, the work force (which numbered several hundred) was comprised mostly of local men. The Rundel Memorial Building is a remarkable building in its own right, but especially so because it was erected during the country’s worst financial depression. The Rundel Memorial Building has continually provided for its patrons’ needs over the years, updating its collections, services and facilities. On May 27, 1997 a 22.5 million-dollar addition opened on the opposite side of South Avenue and was named the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building. An underground passage beneath South Avenue links the two buildings. That same year the Rundel Memorial Building underwent a multi-million dollar restoration project.