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Library Services

Library Instruction Room #315 (Thomas Jefferson Library): The primary use of the Library Instruction Room is for teaching library instruction sessions to University of Missouri-St. Louis students. It is not a study room. (Please see Study Rooms for further information). Faculty may request a library instruction session by calling (314) 516-7008, or by completing the "Library Instruction Session Request Form". Requests should be submitted as early as possible to allow for scheduling at the most convenient time for the class and to give the librarian ample time to prepare for the presentation. For instructions from the Ward E. Barnes Library, please conact (314) 516-5576.

Book Drops: Book drops for your convenience are available outside the Thomas Jefferson and Ward E. Barnes Libraries, and the circle drive on the North Campus.

Bulletin Board /Display Counter: Patrons may request that flyers, handouts, or other printed materials be displayed in the Libraries. The Reference Librarians or the Libraries' Administrative Office will approve materials prior to posting. The materials will be posted on the bulletin board at the Thomas Jefferson Library or on the display counters at the St. Louis Mercantile and Ward E. Barnes Libraries. If materials are posted on walls, glass, elevators, or any other surfaces, they will be immediately removed.

Copiers: Copiers are available for a fee at the Ward E. Barnes and Thomas Jefferson Libraries. The copiers accept dollar bills and change.

Elevators: Elevators are available at the Thomas Jefferson and St. Louis Mercantile Libraries. The Ward E. Barnes Library only has one level; therefore, there is no elevator in this library.

Laptops: A limited number of laptops are available for a two-hour, in-library checkout to current University of Missouri - St. Louis students. Laptops may be checked out at the Thomas Jefferson Library Circulation/Reserve Desk on the main floor (third level).

Library Research Commons (LRC): The LRC is one of many computing labs available to faculty, staff, students, and other authorized users at both the Thomas Jefferson and Ward E. Barnes Libraries. The LRCs are staffed by student consultants who can orient you about the hardware and software that are available. They can also assist with many software issues. Users must log in using their SSO ID. For questions about library resources and their use, please request assistance from a Reference Librarian or call:

  • Mercantile Library – (314) 516-7247
  • Thomas Jefferson Library - (314) 516-5060
  • Ward E Barnes Library - (314) 516-5576

Lost and Found: The Thomas Jefferson and Ward E. Barnes Libraries maintain lost and found containers. When the containers are full or at the end of each semester, the items will be discarded. Wallets, purses, cell phones and other PDA equipment are immediately given to campus police.

Floor Plans: Please click here to view the Libraries’ floor plans.

Phones: Red campus phones and a black courtesy phone (located on level 2 -- only local calls] are available in the Thomas Jefferson Library. The phones at the service desks are for library staff use only.

Policies: Please click here to view UM-St. Louis Libraries' policies.

Restrooms: Restrooms are located on every floor of the Thomas Jefferson and St. Louis Mercantile Library. The restrooms on the third level (the entry level) are wheelchair accessible. Accessible restrooms are located in the South Camps Building.

Study Rooms:There are four small study rooms and one large study room available for University of Missouri-St. Louis students only. All are located on Level 5.  The small rooms can accommodate 1-4 persons comfortably.  The large room can accommodate 6-8 comfortably.   Keys to the rooms may be checked out at the Current Periodicals Desk , also on Level 5, with a valid UM-St. Louis ID card, for a two-hour period. All rooms are checked out on a first come, first served basis.

Video Rooms: The video rooms at the Thomas Jefferson Library house TV/VCRs, 2 DVD players, and four CD players for use by University of Missouri-St. Louis students only. A key to the room may be checked-out at the Current Periodicals/Microform desk with a valid UMSL ID card, for a two-hour period. All rooms are checked out on a first come, first served basis. The Ward E. Barnes Library has TV/VCRs with headphones for patron’s use.

Water fountains: Water fountains are located on all levels of the Thomas Jefferson and Mercantile Libraries.

Wireless: The Thomas Jefferson, St. Louis Mercantile, and Ward E. Barnes Libraries provide wireless internet accessibility. You will need a laptop with a wireless network adapter that supports the 802.11b and/or 802.11g standards. If your laptop does not have built-in wireless, you may purchase a PC card from the University Bookstore or an electronics retail store. For more information concerning how to use wirless service in the library or on campus, please see the IT departments wireless service page at http://www.umsl.edu/technology/wireless/.