Tips for Funding Books on a Budget

For families with young children

• Rochester Public Library - Kids Programs 

  • Offers children’s programs, storytimes, early literacy activities, and library services for families. Great place for parents to find free books, reading events, and library cards. 

• Monroe County Library System 

  • Connects families to public libraries across Monroe County, including summer reading programs, children’s events, e-books, audiobooks, and storytimes. 

• MCLS Library Events Calendar 

  • Families can search for storytimes, children’s activities, reading programs, and free community events at libraries around Rochester and Monroe County. 

• Raising A Reader - Rochester Public Library 

  • A family literacy program that helps parents and caregivers build regular book-sharing routines with children. The program rotates high-quality books into homes and connects families to the library. 

• Rochester Imagination Library / Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 

  • Provides free books by mail to young children, helping build early literacy and kindergarten readiness. Rochester’s chapter is connected with United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. 

• Reach Out and Read - Golisano Children's Hospital 

  • A pediatric literacy program where doctors and nurses encourage parents to read aloud and provide books to children during well-child visits from 6 months to 5 years old.

For free or low-cost books

• Give Back, Give Books - Rochester Education Foundation 

  • Supports Rochester literacy by providing books to classrooms, school libraries, partner programs, and students to take home. REF says it has distributed more than 85,000 new and gently used books to city students and school libraries. 

• Little Free Library Map 

  • Families can use Little Free Library to find nearby “take a book, share a book” boxes. This is helpful for 24/7 access to free books in neighborhoods. 

• Community Wishbook - Book Donation Needs 

  • A useful place for donors to see Rochester-area organizations requesting books, including children’s books, early-reader books, teen magazines, art books, and new books for children.

For reading support and literacy help

• ROC Reading Partners - University of Rochester Warner School of Education

  • A free literacy initiative that builds on the Buddy Readers Program and supports Rochester families through reading partnerships.  

• Rochester Area Literacy Council 

  • A professional literacy organization focused on promoting and improving literacy education in the Rochester area. This may be especially useful for educators, literacy advocates, and people looking for local literacy connections. 

• Literacy Rochester 

  • Provides adult literacy and digital literacy support across the region. Their digital literacy sites include locations across Monroe and nearby counties, with walk-in support at some library sites. 

• FindHelp – Basic Literacy Programs in Rochester 

  • A searchable directory where families can look up reading, tutoring, and basic literacy programs near Rochester.