From its founding, the Mercantile Library has served as a cultural center for the city. The first lecture series in the newly opened West was instituted by the members in the 1840s. The first speakers were prominent citizens of the young city and members themselves. As the city and Library prospered, they were able to attract ever more distinguished lecturers, including W. M. Thackeray, Herman Melville, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. That tradition continues with the annual Niehoff Lectures which have brought such distinguished writers and speakers as John Updike, Tom Wolfe, and Jonathan Winters to the Library. There are also courses, small concerts, author readings and book signings, a large number of which are scheduled at noon for the convenience of the many members who work and shop in the city's downtown.

The Mercantile Library is proud to be a partner in CETconnect.org, working with CET, Greater Cincinnati’s public television station, to connect our community to interviews, lectures, activities, special events and other unique presentations and programs. CETconnect.org, the first community public media website, engages, enriches, educates and entertains by bringing on-demand high-quality video and information to Greater Cincinnati—and the world. Experience it yourself at CETconnect.org.

Click her to see a complete list of Mercantile Library videos available on CETconnect.

Tea Party

You are cordially invited for tea, along with readings from, and discussion of, “Meet Kit”, the book that introduced readers to our favorite nine-year-old Cincinnati newshound, Margaret Mildred “Kit” Kittredge.

Kids will enjoy tea and sweets as Sara Clark of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company reads excerpts from the Kit Kittredge books. Ms. Clark has appeared with CSC in the roles of Cassandra in The Women of Troy, herself in Every Christmas Story Ever Told, and Dorcas in The Winter's Tale.

A Kit Kittredge doll will be given as a door prize to a lucky attendee!


Program most suitable for children
ages 6-12 accompanied by an adult.

Sat, Aug 16th 2008 | 2:00 PM

Reading Room

$10

Association Meeting

A Meeting of The Mercantile Library Association will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at noon in the Reading Room.
A vote on technical amendments to the Library’s Articles of Incorporation will be held.

The Mercantile Library
Proposal for Amended Articles of Incorporation

Sixth: No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and products purchased, and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of its exempt purposes. No substantial part of the activities of Corporation shall include the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except as provided and permitted in section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Seventh: The purpose for which this organization is organized are exclusively religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

Eighth: Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

Ninth: Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the Federal, state, or local government for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes.

Tue, Aug 19th 2008 | 12:00 PM

Reading Room

No charge

First Wednesday Book Discussion

Book for discussion: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Discussion Leader: Tony Russo

First Wednesday Book Discussions are Sponsored by Rich and Susan Lauf

Wed, Sep 3rd 2008 | 12:00 PM

12th Floor Lecture Room

No charge for members;$5 for nonmembers;Box lunches are available by reservation for $8

What's Up in Architecture: Over-the-Rhine Revisted: Designing Infill for Historic Districts

Architects Look at Over-the Rhine

Leading local architects discuss design and planning issues in Over-the Rhine that emerged in a January 2008 community charrette.

Light refreshments will be served.

Host organizations: AIA CIncinnati, Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Preservation Association, The Mercantile Library, and the Over-the-Rhine Foundation.

Thu, Sep 4th 2008 | 5:30 PM

Reading Room

$8 for members of host organizations, $10 for nonmembers