Research Services and Collection Access
Collection Directories
St. Louis Mercantile Library Special Collections
Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library
John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library
St. Louis Mercantile Library Art Museum
On-Site Visits
Collections are available for in-person use during scheduled hours. Walk-ins are accepted, but certain collections may be off-site or restricted for conservation without notice. Schedule an appointment at least 2 weeks, or 10 business days, before your visit to guarantee material availability.
You can contact us by
- Phone at 314-516-7247
- Email at mercantilelibrary@umsl.edu,
- Or submit a research assistance request.
Before your visit, please read the reading room procedures, which include the camera and photography policy. A librarian will also review our policies with you and answer any questions before your research session.
**Note - Hours of the Reading Room are effected by Winter Intersession. Please visit the Libraries hours page for dates we are closed.
Distance Research
The Mercantile Library is proud to serve researchers around the world. If you can't visit in-person, submit a reference request form for virtual reference services and research assistance.
We also provide a growing number of digital collections.
Many items not yet available online can be reproduced and sent to researchers upon request. Some fees may apply for large requests. While we do our best to fulfill all requests, some materials are too fragile or unstable to safely reproduce. Contact us with any questions about virtual services and collection access.
Reproduction Fees and Copyright Information
Researchers can purchase images from the Mercantile Library to use in their publications or exhibitions, with discounts for members. For more information, see our images price list.
All library materials are subject to copyright.
