Rochester Public Library of Monroe County

Drew has never been to the Rochester Public Library in downtown Rochester. We usually go to the North Chili branch of the Monroe County Library system. But I have been there and I know the richness of their collections (besides, everytime I want a certain book at the branch, I have to pay to have it sent from downtown).

We parked in the nearby garage and went downstairs to the entrance level. Everything is in a glass walkway, so you don't have to endure any harsh weather. Once inside, we approached the information desk and Drew asked where the videos are (why else would you go to a library?).

The woman was very pleasant, and told him that they are all housed in the building across the street, and that you can get there through an underground tunnel that goes beneath the street. Drew was amazed! We went down another level and wandered through the tunnel that had been turned into an art gallery. There were bathrooms, comfortable chairs, students working on computers.

Across the street, we stepped into a historic building of the elegant era (you know, the one where Rochesterians all had bundles of money for opulent decor in public places). He wanted to just wander about until he found the DVDs (so like a man), and I wanted to read the map the lady at the information desk had given him. I won. The room crammed with media was just to the right of the entrance of the tunnel.

Drew's eyes grew wide with surprise. He began to browse the collection, and after twenty minutes, had only gotten to the F's. He gave up and found the online catalog to locate the DVDs he wanted to see (how amazing that his decrepit old mother actually knew how to use the blasted thing - its not often I know more than he does).

I wanted to check out some choral CDs, and after he had reached his limit of 10 media, we looked about quickly at the rest of the media building, then went back to the glass structure where we had begun and took the elevator to the second of four floors. I was in heaven - rows and rows of choral CDs - yum!

Drew was flabbergasted that you can check out works of art. We browsed through the pictures. I saw several that I want to put in my office once I get the nod to hang things there. We wandered downstairs past the closed store, drooled at the idea of eating in their crepe restaurant some other day, and finally tore ourselves away. I was very happy to hear him say he wants to come back and for more than just the videos.