St. Louis County Library

Not to be confused with St. Louis Public Library, which serves the City of St. Louis.
St. Louis County Library
The Grant's View Branch of the library, in August 2021
Map
38°37′48″N 90°24′18″W / 38.63012°N 90.40492°W / 38.63012; -90.40492
LocationSt. Louis County, Missouri
Established1946
Branches20
Collection
Size1,667,721 (2023)[1]
Access and use
Circulation11,023,266 (2023)[1]
Population served859,639 (2023)
Other information
Budget$60 mil. (2020)
DirectorKristen Sorth[2]
Websitehttp://www.slcl.org.

St. Louis County Library (SLCL) is a library system that serves residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. It is the busiest public library in Missouri, circulating more than 11 million items in 2023.[3] It consists of 20 branches, including the Headquarters branch, which is located at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd in Ladue, Missouri.

St. Louis County Library is supported by the St. Louis County Library District, which includes most of St. Louis County. SLCL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with most of the other libraries in St. Louis County, as well as with the St. Louis Public Library and the St. Charles City-County Library. In 2018 the library joined the MOBIUS and Prospector loan systems.

The St. Louis County Library District is governed by a Board of Trustees, consisting of five members appointed by the County Council based on a recommendation of the County Executive. The Board of trustees is responsible for selecting and appointing a Library Director. The Director is the chief executive officer of the Library and is responsible for the execution of the orders and policies adopted by the Board. Information concerning the establishment and governance of the Library District can be found in Chapter 182 of the Missouri State Statutes.[4]

History

The St. Louis County Library District was established as a political subdivision of the State of Missouri with taxing authority by an election held in April 1946. The first library building opened in 1947 and was quickly followed by two branch locations. The 1960s saw an additional four branches, including a new headquarters building and the first of many building expansions. This building boom resulted in the construction of branches throughout the 523 square miles of the county. A tax levy passed in 1973 allowed the library to add 12 branches to the system, bringing the total number of branch locations to 20.[4]

In 2020, St. Louis County Library announced that it will no longer charge fines on late materials. Patrons will still be required to pay for lost or damaged materials.[5] In 2021, it was announced that St. Louis County Library and St. Louis City Library will begin sharing an Integrated Library System the following year. The integrated system will make it possible for patrons of both libraries to check out or view materials from either library. Patrons will not require a new library card.[6][7]

Collections & Services

Items available to borrow include books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, video games, binoculars, laptops (along with WiFi hotspots), fishing equipment, musical instruments, projectors, and telescopes.[8] Patrons also have access to various online resources, downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and some web streaming content (movies and TV).[9]

The loan period for all materials is 21 days, except for MOBIUS Books (28 days), and MOBIUS Audiovisual (AV) equipment (10 days).[10]

In addition to books and other library materials, SLCL offers free programs and services including computer classes, small business assistance, job help, storytimes, STEM programming, summer and winter reading clubs, individualized help, and more.[3] Individual branches offer a variety of programs as well as public computers, meeting spaces, free public WiFi, fax services, printing, document, and book scanning.[11]

St. Louis County Library is a part of MOBIUS—a partnership of libraries providing patrons with access to over 60 million items from academic, special, and public libraries. Patrons can request MOBIUS materials through the MOBIUS online catalog with delivery to their local branch in less than five days.[12]

Borrowing Limits

There a maximum number of each type of item a patron can have checked out at one time. The limits are:[13]

  • 100 books
  • Combined total of 25 CDs (Music and Audiobooks) and Playaways
  • 25 DVDs
  • Combined total of 5 Fishing Kits, Musical Instruments, Telescopes, and Wi-Fi Hotspots
  • 1 pair of Binoculars
  • 2 video games
  • 1 portable Projector
  • 5 Inter-Library Loans (of any type)
  • 10 materials checked out from MOBIUS

The total limit of materials (of any type) checked out at any one time is 100.

History & Genealogy Department

Founded in 1998, History & Genealogy at St. Louis County library features a research collection of over 95,000 print volumes, 850 periodical titles, and over 40,000 microfilms. History & Genealogy's collection offers unique genealogical and historical sources emphasizing the St. Louis Metropolitan area, the state of Missouri, and states and foreign countries that fed migration into Missouri. History & Genealogy offers access to substantial holdings for Atlantic states, the Northwest Territory, the Louisiana Purchase, and sources for Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, and the British Isles. At its core are the collections of the St. Louis County Library and the St. Louis Genealogical Society.[14]

In 2002, History & Genealogy at St. Louis County Library became the official home of the National Genealogical Society Collection, which includes over 30,000 items available for circulation or by inter-library loan. Other collections have followed including the William C.E. and Bessie Becker Collection (German, Swiss, British Isles), the Lewis Bunker Rohrbach Collection (Atlantic States, British Isles, Swiss), the Joy A. Reisinger Collection (French Canadian, Northwest Territory), the Julius K. Hunter and Friends African American Collection, the Mary Berthold Reference Collection, and the St. Louis Jewish Genealogical Society Collection.[14]

History & Genealogy's equipment includes microfilm reader-printers, over-head book scanner, photocopiers, wi-fi, and free access to genealogical and historical research databases. History & Genealogy publishes the monthly newsletter PastPorts in support of historical and genealogical research. History & Genealogy is located at the Headquarters Branch and is open seven days per week. Groups and tours are welcomed by appointment.[14]

Branches

Branch (Location) Address
Clark Family Branch(Frontenac)[15] 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
Daniel Boone Branch (Ellisville)[16][17] 300 Clarkson Rd.
Bridgeton Trails Branch (Bridgeton)[18][19] 3455 McKelvey Rd.
Cliff Cave Branch (Unincorporated area, Oakville CDP)[20][21] 5430 Telegraph Rd.
Eureka Hills Branch (Eureka)[22][23] 500 Workman Rd.
Florissant Valley Branch (Florissant)[24][25] 195 New Florissant Rd.
Grand Glaize Branch (Manchester)[26][27][28] 1010 Meramec Station Rd.
Grant's View Branch [29] 9700 Musick Road
Headquarters (Frontenac)[30][31] 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
Jamestown Bluffs Branch (Unincorporated area)[25][32] 4153 N. Hwy 67
Lewis and Clark Branch (Moline Acres)[33][34] 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd.
Meramec Valley Branch (Fenton)[35][36] 1501 San Simeon Way
Mid-County Branch (Clayton)[37][38] 7821 Maryland Ave.
Natural Bridge Branch (Normandy)[39][40] 7606 Natural Bridge Rd.
Oak Bend Branch (Oakland)[41][42] 842 S. Holmes Ave.
Parkview Branch (Vinita Park)[43][44] 8400 Delport Dr.
Prairie Commons Branch (Hazelwood)[45][46] 915 Utz Ln.
Rock Road Branch (St. Ann)[47][48] 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd.
Samuel C. Sachs Branch (Chesterfield)[49][50] 16400 Burkhardt Pl.
Thornhill Branch (Unincorporated area)[51][52] 12863 Willowyck Dr.
Weber Road Branch (Unincorporated area)[53][54] 4444 Weber Rd.

References

  1. ^ a b "2023 Year in Review" (PDF). St. Louis County Library. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "St. Louis County Library names new director". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 19, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "St. Louis County Library Year in Review" (PDF). St. Louis County Library. 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Mission & History". St. Louis County Library. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  5. ^ "Fine-free in 2020 | St. Louis County Library". www.slcl.org. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  6. ^ "St. Louis County Library: St. Louis Area Libraries To Share Integrated Library System". Olivette, MO Patch. 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  7. ^ "St. Louis libraries to share integrated library system". St. Louis Call Newspapers. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  8. ^ "Other Items for Check Out | St. Louis County Library". www.slcl.org. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  9. ^ "eMedia | St. Louis County Library". www.slcl.org. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  10. ^ "Borrowing | St. Louis County Library". www.slcl.org. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  11. ^ Branches St. Louis County Library. Accessed March 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Mobius St. Louis County Library. Accessed March 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "Borrowing | St. Louis County Library". www.slcl.org. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  14. ^ a b c Holdings-Collections St. Louis County Library. Accessed March 19, 2020.
  15. ^ "Clark Family Branch | St. Louis County Library". www.slcl.org. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  16. ^ "Daniel Boone Branch Archived 2009-08-21 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  17. ^ "Ellisville city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  18. ^ "Bridgeton Trails Branch Archived 2009-08-13 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  19. ^ "Bridgeton city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  20. ^ "Cliff Cave Branch Archived 2009-09-14 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  21. ^ "Oakville CDP, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  22. ^ "Eureka Hills Branch Archived 2022-12-27 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on May 5, 2023.
  23. ^ "Eureka city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  24. ^ "Florissant Valley Branch Archived 2009-08-23 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  25. ^ a b "Florissant city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  26. ^ "Grand Glaize Branch Archived 2009-09-03 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  27. ^ "Manchester city, Missouri Archived 2012-10-12 at archive.today." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  28. ^ "County Library Opens Renovated & Expanded Grand Glaize Branch". St. Louis County Library. September 4, 2018. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  29. ^ "Grant's View Branch". St. Louis County Library. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  30. ^ "Headquarters Archived 2009-08-28 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  31. ^ "Ladue city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  32. ^ "Jamestown Bluff Branch Archived 2009-07-29 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  33. ^ "Lewis and Clark Branch Archived 2009-08-31 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  34. ^ "Moline Acres city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  35. ^ "Meramec Valley Branch Archived 2009-08-26 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  36. ^ "Fenton city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  37. ^ "Mid-County Branch Archived 2009-07-29 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  38. ^ "Clayton city, Missouri Archived 2009-09-06 at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  39. ^ "Natural Bridge Branch Archived 2009-08-04 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  40. ^ "Normandy city, Missouri Archived 2009-07-28 at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  41. ^ "Oak Bend Branch". St. Louis County Library. Archived from the original on August 27, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  42. ^ "Oakland city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  43. ^ "Parkview Branch". St. Louis County Library. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  44. ^ "Vinita Park city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  45. ^ "Prairie Commons Branch Archived 2009-08-23 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  46. ^ "Hazelwood city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  47. ^ "Rock Road Branch Archived 2009-07-28 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  48. ^ "St. Ann city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  49. ^ "Samuel C. Sachs Branch Archived 2009-09-30 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  50. ^ "Chesterfield city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  51. ^ "Thornhill Branch Archived 2009-08-22 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  52. ^ "Creve Coeur city, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  53. ^ "Weber Road Branch Archived 2009-08-28 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  54. ^ "Lemay CDP, Missouri[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.