Central Library’s Secret Room reopens with new look

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A famous, yet hidden, Rochester landmark on the second floor of the Central Library downtown opened to the public again Friday.

The "Secret Room" had been closed due to the pandemic, as well as extensive renovations.

The new play area for kids will have interactive projections, a starry night sky, and a place for storytime.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said he hopes this will get children excited about learning.

"I could talk about the wonders of the Secret Room and all the magical experiences our kids will have in it, but I’d rather encourage all of you to bring them here to experience it for themselves," Evans said. "I encourage young ones to come explore it, to have adventures, make friends, read alone, read together, but just enjoy this new Secret Room. It was made just for you."

The exciting new space is the result of the library winning a $32,000 grant from the Kaboom! Play Everywhere Design Contest.

Kaboom!’s grant allowed the library to transform the secret room, creating a more flexible play opportunity for the children of Rochester.

The University of Rochester also won the contest with its "ROCket to Imagination" with a wheelchair-accessible maze.