More than half a million people have St. Louis County Library cards.
Library cards these days get cardholders more than just items to read and watch. Organizations across the state, including the Missouri Department of Conservation and St. Louis Astronomical Society, provided the libraries with outdoor equipment, musical instruments and technology that patrons can check out for two-week periods.
Some 'Library Of Things' nontraditional items that can be borrowed include:
- Binoculars, telescopes
- Fishing poles, tackle boxes
- Disc golf, pickleball kits
- Guitars, banjos, ukuleles, keyboards, xylophones, hand drums
- Chromebook laptops
- Projectors
- Wi-Fi hotspots
- VR headsets
- Blood pressure kits
- Tabletop games, puzzles
- Fort-building kits
Local libraries also host beneficial workshops, classes, guest speakers, festivals and special events. Some locations provide job training and access to social workers.
Additionally, library locations provide computers; Wi-Fi services; document services for copying, faxing, printing and scanning; meeting rooms; study rooms; and notary services.
Kristen Sorth is the director/CEO of the St. Louis County Library. SLCL is governed by a five-member board of trustees, which is responsible for selecting and appointing the library director. These board members are appointed by St. Louis County councilmembers based on a recommendation from St. Louis County's county executive.
SLCL is reportedly the busiest library system in Missouri, and one of the largest circulating libraries in the United States. It was established in 1947, and is primarily supported by property taxes from district residents.
St. Louis County Library Locations:
- Bridgeton Trails Branch, Bridgeton
- Clark Family Branch, St. Louis, 63131-3598
- Cliff Cave Branch, St. Louis, 63129-3556
- Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville
- Eureka Hills Branch, Eureka
- Florissant Valley Branch, Florissant
- Grand Glaize Branch, Manchester
- Grant's View Branch, St. Louis, 63123-3935
- Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Florissant
- Lewis & Clark Branch, St. Louis, 63136-5322
- Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton
- Mid-County Branch, St. Louis, 63105-3875
- Natural Bridge Branch, St. Louis, 63121-4905
- Oak Bend Branch, St. Louis, 63122-6507
- Parkview Branch, St. Louis, 63114-5904
- Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood
- Rock Road Branch, St. Ann
- Samuel C. Sachs Branch, Chesterfield
- Thornhill Branch, St. Louis, 63146-3771
- Weber Road Branch, St. Louis, 63123-6744
St. Louis Public Library and St. Louis County Library merged catalogs during March 2022 and now offer at least 5 million books, periodicals, movies and items for library members across 37 branches in St. Louis city and county. Library members can reserve items and have them delivered to their branch of choice. SLPL items can be returned at all SLCL branches.
August 1, 2023, marked the 50th anniversary of the St. Charles City-County Library, whose Library District was established on that date in 1973 when the Kathryn Linnemann Library of St. Charles merged with the St. Charles County Library District. It's governed by a board of trustees and funded primarily through property taxes. A limited edition 50th anniversary library card was issued in commemoration of the milestone.
Today, 14 library branches serve St. Charles County residents:
- Central Services, St. Peters
- Augusta
- Boone's Trail, Wentvzille
- Cliff View, Wentvzille
- Corporate Parkway, Wentzville
- Deer Run, O'Fallon
- Kathryn Linnemann, St. Charles
- Kisker Road, St. Charles
- Library to You Bookmobile
- McClay, St. Charles
- Mid Rivers Mall, St. Peters
- Middendorf-Kredell, O'Fallon [closed for renovations; reopen early 2025]
- Spencer Road, St. Peters
- WingHaven, O'Fallon
St. Charles City-County Library staffers indicate more than 2 million visitors enjoy their branch locations each year.
314.994.3300
SLCL.org
636.441.2300
StChLibrary.org