City
of Rochester
News
Release
(Friday,
April 22, 2022) – Mayor Malik D. Evans and County Executive
Adam J. Bello today announced the completion of renovations at the Central
Library Secret Room.
After being closed during COVID and for extensive
renovations a famous, yet hidden, Rochester landmark on the second floor of the
Bausch & Lomb Building of the Central Library, the Secret Room opened to
the public today. It features a bright play area for children with interactive
projections, a starry night sky, and ample place for story times.
“The renovated secret room will play an even bigger
role in getting children excited about learning,” said Mayor Evans. “I want to
thank KABOOM! and The Ralph Wilson Foundation for their generous donation and
commend the library staff for their commitment to keeping the library
interesting to children. Bringing more children to the library will advance our
efforts to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester.”
This exciting new space is the result of the library
winning a $32,000 grant from the 2020 @KABOOM! Play Everywhere Design Contest
courtesy of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. KABOOM!’s grant enabled the
Rochester Public Library to transform the space of the Secret Room, creating a
more flexible play opportunity for the children of Rochester.
“Libraries
are the heart of a community, each library in Monroe County offers special and
unique touches that fit the needs of the neighbors they serve,” said County
Executive Bello. “The redesign of the Secret Room welcomes children and their
families downtown to read, learn, and explore together. Thanks to KABOOM! and
the entire library team for making this play-filled space a reality.”
Tonia Burton, Children's Services Consultant, shared
“The Children's Center staff have been eagerly awaiting the completion of this
iconic space. We worked with families in focus groups to find out what children
and their adults were looking for and we did everything we could to create a
magical space that would offer quiet reading nooks, gaming, movies, art and
science programs, and more. Dan Schneiderman from Maker Faire helped to
recreate the Rochester night sky. Be sure to stop by and view the stars!”
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