Published by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Thomas Jefferson Library Reference Department
Fall 1997

The St. Louis Mercantile Library

G. Catlin, 1841 "Mah-to-toh-pa" from the Mercantile Library Collection

In a momentous decision, an agreement was reached in March 1997 between the Board of the St. Louis Mercantile Library and the University of Missouri which will resutl in the move of the Mercantile Library to levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library addition. This move will take place in 1998, with preparations beginning in the fall of 1997.

The St. Louis Mercantile Library, founded 150 years ago, was the first library west of the Mississippi River. The Mercantile has priceless historical works and many pieces of valuable art and artifacts. It has specialized in serving researchers, locally and nationally.

Among the special collections moving to the UM-St. Louis campus are:

American Studies materials, focusing on the areas of the Westward movement;
One of the country's premiere collection in transportation history, focusing particularly on railroads and inland waterways;
The Complete Photo and Clipping Files of the St. Louis Globe Democrat;
Catalogued Runs of thousands of bound volumes of American historical and literary periodicals and newspapers.

The Mercantile Library will be adding thousands of books, manuscripts, and photographs to the campus's collections.

This association with the University of Missouri will permit increased use of the collections, preservation of its works, and will make electronic records of its holdings accessible to researchers throught the world. The UM-St. Louis community will benefit greatly from the addition of this valuable resource to the campus.

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