Mission & Vision

Our MISSION is to raise private funds for educational and informational resources and projects in a manner that does not diminish the need for strong public funding, and to educate the community about the Library's vital role in meeting our community's need.

Our VISION is to build strong public-private partnerships with individuals, businesses, foundations, and community organizations that share our mission for creating a stronger library that is meeting the needs of the under-served.

Latest Updates:

Thank you to all that came out for WIT 2026!

Together, we can spark innovation, expand access, and grow the library services our community relies on.

The Rochester Public Library Foundation ensures our library remains a vibrant, forward-thinking resource for everyone in our community. We advocate for meaningful services, educate residents about what’s available to them, and fund innovative pilot projects and technology that demonstrate real impact—helping turn good ideas into lasting, publicly supported programs.

When you support the Foundation, you’re investing in access, innovation, and lifelong learning for our entire community!

You make growth possible!

Foundation Fundraising Priorities

The Foundation’s mission is to raise private funds for educational and informational resources and projects in a manner that does not diminish the need for strong public funding, and to educate the community about the Library’s vital role in meeting our community’s need.

• Building Fund

• Expansion of Wi-Fi Hotspot program

• Literacy: Rochester Reading Champions

• Materials: books, CDs, audiobooks, digital titles

• Wishlist items for library divisions

• Pilot Programming

• Diversity & inclusion

• Innovation & creativity

• Youth

The Foundation has played a key role in supporting RPL programs and initiatives that support community members through all stages of life.

Current Pilot Projects

Pilot projects are new initiatives the Foundation launches at the Rochester Public Library to test fresh ways of serving our community. Each pilot lets us try an idea, measure its impact, and learn what our patrons value most. When a pilot proves successful, it can be adopted by the Library as an ongoing service. In this way, the Foundation's support acts as a bridge between a promising idea and a lasting resource—expanding access, sparking innovation, and meeting community needs at every stage of life. Below are the pilot programs currently underway.

Parking Pilot

~2 Free Hours of Parking for Library Visits~

The Foundation is piloting a free parking program to make visiting the Library easier and more welcoming. Library visitors can receive up to two hours of free parking, with one pass available per visit, per day—and no limit on how often you return. Whether you're picking up a hold, settling in with a good book, or bringing the family for a program, this pilot removes one more barrier between our community and everything the Library has to offer. The program runs through the summer, so stop by and take advantage of it while it lasts.

Kanopy and Kanopy Kids

~AD-Free Access to critically-acclaimed movies, inspiring documentaries, award-winning foreign films and more~

The Foundation is bringing Kanopy to Rochester Public Library cardholders—a free streaming service offering thousands of films, documentaries, and classic and independent titles, all available at no cost with your library card. There are no ads and no subscription fees; Kanopy is simply another way your Library delivers educational and cultural resources right to your screen, whether you're watching at home or on the go. Families can also enjoy Kanopy Kids, a thoughtfully curated collection of children's movies and series designed to support early literacy, learning, and discovery, with built-in parental controls and unlimited kid-friendly viewing. Explore the full catalog at kanopy.com, and help us show that streaming access belongs at the heart of a modern library.

Previous Pilot Projects

Every successful Library service starts as an idea worth testing. Over the years, the Foundation has piloted programs that began as experiments and grew into lasting resources for our community. Here are a few that made a difference.

Rochester Reading Champions

In early 2017, the Foundation partnered with the Rochester Valley of the Scottish Rite to lead a two-month matching donation drive supporting the Rochester Reading Champions (RRC) literacy program. RRC pairs highly trained volunteers with youth and adults in the community who struggle with reading. The Foundation’s goal of raising $5,000 (to be matched by the Scottish Rite Children’s Foundation) was surpassed, with over $6,000 raised in six weeks. The donations will help support the program as it expands to reach more struggling readers. Every RRC participant sees growth in reading and spelling after 80-100 lessons, all provided by volunteers who spend 120 hours in training. Without the financial support of the Foundation and other sponsors, the RRC program would not be able to offer the specialized training, greatly reducing the number of volunteers in the program.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

In 2017, the RPL Foundation partnered with Olmsted County Community Services to launch the “Wi-Fi Hotspot” program to give community members greater access to the internet. Through the “Wi-Fi Hotspot program” the Foundation is able to support community members searching for jobs, filling out official forms, or completing school work. Having strong internet connectivity allows individuals to connect and contribute to our local economy. The program has been highly popular: at any given time all hotspots are checked out and over 100 people are waiting for access.

Summer Playlist

The Foundation supports local literacy efforts including the 2017 “Summer Playlist” program. This all-ages program encourages community members to spend part of their summer hours without technology and instead spend time reading, learning, creating, or connecting. Thousands of children, teens and adults participated in the 2017 program with many saying the Summer Playlist encouraged them to read after not doing so for many years. In all, over 4,000 kids, teens, and adults participated in Summer Playlist, a 52% increase over 2016.

Support the Library

Designate your gift in Celebration, Remembrance or Appreciation!

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Milestones, Holidays, Celebrations, and more.

When you make a gift to honor a loved one or friend, they will receive a card acknowledging your gift, plus a mention in our quarterly newsletter.

$40 will buy two children's books. 

$370 can buy a Wi-Fi Hotspot + connectivity for one year

$500 can honor a loved one with a tribute label in a book for ten years