Rochester Public Library Foundation

Rochester Public Library is stepping up to serve our community in every way we can, recently receiving a grant to fund 1,000 lap tops for under resourced students in our community!! But the demand has been great and we simply don't have enough lap tops for everyone who qualifies, so we are looking to purchase lap tops for checkout at the library to help fill in those gaps.

This fundraiser is of vital importance as we know the funds coming in to our library are dropping due to lost city revenue.  We are making every effort to keep staff, resources, and programs from being cut.  Funding is needed to acquire new materials especially digital books as the demand is great and wait lists are long.

YOU can help our heroes by helping to fill in our funding gaps! 

YOUR dollars allow us to offer the award-winning (and Nationally-Recognized) programs and services that our community depends upon, like new books, home delivery, and online resources like digital books, audio books, language classes, homework help and online job search tools.

Your gift can honor or remember a loved one, your business or can be completely anonymous.

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for pitching in whatever you're able!  Your donations help ensure that knowledge and learning are free to all now and into the future.

Brenda Kardock, Executive Director - Rochester Public Library Foundation

Foundation Information

Thank you for taking the time to consider supporting the Rochester Public Library Foundation.  We help our local library pilot innovative programs, provide engaging series, purchase new materials, and serve our community, especially where there may be gaps in funding. 

FINE FREE LIBRARY - In June of 2020, the Rochester Public Library Board voted unanimously to forgive all fines and go completely fine free, knowing that fines impact those who can least afford it, especially during a pandemic, allowing everyone to be able to freely access the library's resources. This is a part of our commitment to equity and inclusiveness.

Our partnership and your support  has not gone unnoticed, with the recent award of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service for significant and exceptional contributions to our community.  Rochester Public Library is only the fourth library in Minnesota to win a National Medal since its inception, one of only five institutions nationally, and the only library to receive the honor in 2018.

All are welcome at the Rochester Public Library  and everyone can find free resources to help navigate and better their lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.  

To see your dollars at work, check out our efforts at : www.rplmn.org/foundation