Irondequoit Public Library

In regards to the library as a whole, it seemed to be a bit small. Perfectly fine, as this is one of two small town local libraries and I’d bet they could get a book from the other library if needed, but this isn’t why we like libraries.
We like libraries for their programs, specifically their children’s programs. This branch has a few opportunities to bring young children into the world of books, there’s a group for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and multiple «all ages family» activities. The online calendar is fairly easy to understand, making it easy to see what is available.
We arrived a few minutes early and the children’s section was a quiet place with only a couple children and their parents perusing the books. Toddlers and their counterparts slowly filed in and started playing at the various stations of puzzles and crayons with paper available. After a few minutes of relatively quiet play, the program leader opened up a big door that led to the basement stairwell and elevator. We had walked over and I had an obnoxiously large stroller which I was allowed to stow in a corner instead of having to wait for the popular and small elevator. The stairs are what you’d expect commercial basement stairs to be, at the dismay of the librarian. She voiced her concern of having two year olds descending the unforgiving steps, but with the grippy strips it didn’t seem difficult for many. It would be a sad day if one fell, but most parents are on top of these things.
We made it safely down to the large meeting room, it was a bit stark and uninviting. It was also cool and clean, not dingy or stuffy and didn’t smell like a basement. There’s only so much you can do with an old building and no windows. After all the children grabbed a carpet square and the parents were seated in a circle, the librarian began the program. There was a song or two followed by a book, another song, another book, and do on. In the chairs were laminated papers with words to the songs and titles of the books for parents to follow along. After just the right amount of time to exhaust most attention spans, the children were invited to color at the tables and chairs on the other side of the room. There were plenty of crayons to share and I didn’t hear any meltdowns over who got the pink one because there were plenty to go around.
When I was back home, I checked the schedule on their website to see what else we might enjoy. On the front page was a link to FAQ’s about the new central library. To my dismay, this perfectly small town library along with its east side counterpart are being replaced by a larger facility nearer to the middle of town. I am bummed. But really, the current building is in need of a facelift, and it’s not like I would walk in bad weather anyhow. Currently, both libraries offer the same programs as far as I can tell, so I imagine the central location will simply have larger classes or possibly more class times. Until then, I’ll continue to walk the short distance (or drive if its hot/​cold/​wet/​humid/​not absolutely perfect).