About The Library

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Our Mission

The Mercantile Library is the literary center of Cincinnati. The members of the Association seek to make a difference through literature and ideas, advancing interest in the written word, and celebrating the best in literary achievement.

Using The Library

The Library is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday. Books circulate for two weeks. New fiction circulates for seven days. Books may be renewed by telephone or email.

Facility

The Library holds a 10,000 year lease on the eleventh floor of the Mercantile Library Building at 414 Walnut Street, Cincinnati. The lease was issued by The Cincinnati College, from which the University of Cincinnati College of Law descended. The Library paid $10,000 to commission a suite of rooms on the second floor of a new building following the destruction by fire of the original building in 1845.

The library's present home is divided into a reading room and bi-level stacks. These quarters were especially designed for the library in l903 by the Thomas Emery firm, developers of the present building. Most of the bookshelves and furnishings in the reading room are from the library's previous quarters.

Services

Members who find it inconvenient to visit the Library in person may avail themselves of the Library's mailing service. Upon opening a small mailing account to cover postage and envelopes, members may request that books be sent to them at home, at work, or to a vacation address.

Any patron may reserve a book for a fee of twenty-five cents.
Members who wish to bring a lunch to the library may do so.
Wireless access to the internet is available to members.
Members may bring food and beverages to the Library during business hours.

Rental

The Reading Room and Lecture Hall may be rented for private functions. For information, contact Chris Messick at cmessick@mercantilelibrary.com or 513-621-0717