The mission of the Rochester Public Library is to provide quality materials and services, which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the entire community in an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful, and businesslike.

The Rochester Public Library has a unique role in the Village of Rochester. The single block of
“downtown” includes a bank, the village and town hall, a restaurant, post office, and several unique gift shops. The library is the only gathering place in the community, and the only institution, which provides services for children and senior citizens. Many of the people in Rochester believe the library is important, not only in its day-to-day function of lending books and other items, but also as a symbol; a symbol which says we care about literacy, we care about each other and our children, and the future of Rochester as a separate community.

Our most important role is to encourage all children to develop an interest in reading and learning
through services for children, as well as provide high demand, high interest materials in a variety of
formats for people of all ages.

It is essential that we offer an informal gathering place for people of all ages in the community and that our librarians understand their crucial role in sharing books and friendship.

The general library goals of the Rochester Public Library are:

A. To serve all residents of the community and the Lakeshores Library System and Wave Consortia.
B. To acquire and make available to all residents of the above area such books, periodicals, pamphlets and other services as will address their needs to: 1) become well informed, 2) locate answers to questions, 3) cultivate the imagination and creative expression, 4) develop skills for career and vocational advancement, and 5) enjoy leisure by means of reading and other media services.

C. To acquire the means to provide the most frequently requested material locally and upon demand.

D. To maintain a program of service which locates information, guides reading, organizes and interprets material for people of various backgrounds, and stimulates thinking and intellectual development in individuals of any age.

E. To strive consistently to discover new methods and improvements for better service for the library’s customers.

F. To review regularly these goals of the Rochester Public Library and, if necessary, revise them in the light of new developments.

Reprinted with permission from: Rochester Public Library, Library Polices, revised June 13, 2006, Section I.