St. Louis Mercantile Library

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About the Library 

Established in 1846 by civic leaders and philanthropists, the Mercantile exists today as a vibrant community, and cultural asset. It is the oldest library west of the Mississippi and the grandparent of all cultural institutions in St. Louis.

The task of the Mercantile Library as a research library is to make its collections, which have come to concentrate on Western Expansion and the history, development, and growth of the St. Louis region and of the American rail and river transportation experiences, available to the widest number of local and national users.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, call 314-516-7240.

Tours of the Mercantile Library

Free public tours are available Saturday* and Sunday. Group tours can also be arranged for other times; please call 314-516-7248 or email.

*Thomas Jefferson Library building may be closed at certain times of the year. please check our hours page.