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.
Graphic Novel Discussion Group
Book for discussion: The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Discussion leader: Jeff Suess
Sat, Jul 12th 2008 | 1:00 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
Noon Music
Artist tba
NOON MUSIC at the Mercantile is made possible by a grant from the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Fri, Sep 5th 2008 | 12:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
Graphic Novel Discussion Group
Book for discussion: Ada by Abouet
Discussion leader: Edmund Osterman
Sat, Sep 13th 2008 | 1:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
By the Book: Tillman D. (T.D.) Hughes, Jr.
The best in their field talk about the books the have influenced their careers.
T. D. Hughes, Jr., began working at LaRosa’s washing dishes in December of 1962. T.D. continued working at LaRosa’s through his high school years and graduated from Oak Hills High School in 1967 and attended the University of Cincinnati from 1967 through 1969. In the mid 1970’s Mr. Hughes was promoted to the position of General Manager and held that position until 1986 when he became Chief Executive Officer of LaRosa’s, Inc.
RSVP by Sept. 16
SERIES SPONSOR: WACHOVIA SECURITIES
MEDIA SPONSOR: BUSINESS COURIER
Thu, Sep 18th 2008 | 12:00 PM
Reading Room
Members: $8 per session/$40 for series package. Others: $10 per session/$50 for series package. Price includes lunch
Literary Evening with Lisa See
LISA SEE is the New York Times bestselling author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Flower Net (an Edgar Award nominee), The Interior, and Dragon Bones, as well as the critically acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain. Her latest novel Peony In Love (2007), takes readers back to seventeenth-century China, after the Manchus seize power and the Ming dynasty is crushed. Based on actual historical events, it chronicles an unforgettable journey of love, destiny, desire and sorrow. Save the date for this sure-to-be fascinating and enriching evening.
“Only the best novelists can do what Lisa See has done, to bring to life not only a character but an entire culture, and a sensibility so strikingly different from our own.” —Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of a Geisha
Thu, Sep 18th 2008 | 7:00 PM
Reading Room
$15 for members;$20 for nonmembers, includes wine and hors d\'oeuvres
First Wednesday Book Discussion
Book for discussion: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Discussion Group Leader: Rebecca Bowman
First Wednesday Book Discussions are Sponsored by Rich and Susan Lauf
Wed, Oct 1st 2008 | 12:00 PM
12th Floor Lecture Room
No charge for members;$5 for nonmembers;Box lunches are available by reservation for $8
Noon Music
Artist tba
NOON MUSIC at the Mercantile is made possible by a grant from the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Fri, Oct 3rd 2008 | 12:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
Graphic Novel Discussion Group
Book for discussion tba
Discussion leader: Edmund Osterman
Sat, Oct 11th 2008 | 1:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
First Wednesday Book Discussion
Book for discussion: The Master by Colm Toibin
Discussion leader: Daniel Brown
First Wednesday Book Discussions are sponsored by Rich and Susan Lauf
Wed, Nov 5th 2008 | 12:00 PM
12th Floor Lecture Room
No charge for members;$5 for nonmembers;Box lunches are available by reservation for $8
By the Book: Paul Daugherty
The best in their field talk about the books the have influenced their careers.
Paul Daugherty has been an Enquirer sports columnist since 1994 and has been chronicling Cincinnati sports since 1988. He has covered almost every major sporting event in America, as well as five Summer Olympics. Along the way, he has been named one of the country's top-5 sports columnists four times, and Ohio columnist of the year on seven different occasions. His books include “Chad: I Can’t Be Stopped,” a biography of Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson and a recently completed motivational book with Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench. RSVP by Nov. 4
SERIES SPONSOR: WACHOVIA SECURITIES
MEDIA SPONSOR: BUSINESS COURIER
Thu, Nov 6th 2008 | 12:00 PM
Reading Room
Members: $8 per session/$40 for series package. Others: $10 per session/$50 for series package. Price includes lunch
Noon Music
Artist tba
NOON MUSIC at the Mercantile is made possible by a grant from the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Fri, Nov 7th 2008 | 12:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
Graphic Novel Discussion Group
Book for discussion tba
Discussion leader: Edmund Osterman
Sat, Nov 8th 2008 | 1:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
Niehoff Lecture XXI
Trial attorney-turned-blockbuster bestselling author David Baldacci will be the featured speaker for this year’s lecture. This hugely popular writer has seen each of his books, including Simple Genius, Absolute Power, and Last Man Standing land on both the national and international bestsellers’ lists. His books have been publicly read and discussed by everyone from Howard Stern to Don Imus, from George H.W. Bush to Bill Clinton, from Larry King to Charlie Rose.
Plan to join us for an evening of lively storytelling and great fun.
The Niehoff Lecture, a black-tie evening with cocktails and dinner, serves as the primary fundraising event for the Mercantile Library. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible
Event sponsors: Buck and Patricia Niehoff
Sat, Nov 15th 2008 | 7:00 PM
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Hall of Mirrors
$150 members;$175 nonmembers;$2500 First Edition Tables
First Wednesday Book Discussion
Book for discussion: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
Discussion leader: Judy Green
First Wednesday Book Discussions are Sponsored by Rich and Susan Lauf
Wed, Dec 3rd 2008 | 12:00 PM
12th Floor Lecture Room
No charge for members;$5 for nonmembers;Box lunches are available by reservation for $8
Noon Music
Artist tba
NOON MUSIC at the Mercantile is made possible by a grant from the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Fri, Dec 5th 2008 | 12:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
Graphic Novel Discussion Group
Book for discussion tba
Discussion leader: Edmund Osterman
Sat, Dec 13th 2008 | 1:00 PM
Reading Room
No charge
By the Book: Robert McDonald
The best in their field talk about the books the have influenced their careers.
As Chief Operating Officer of The Procter & Gamble Company, Bob McDonald oversees all global operations and corporate functions including on-the-ground operations in more than 80 countries. Reporting to Mr. McDonald are the executive officers for Global Operations, Human Resources, R&D, Product Supply, Legal, External Relations, Information Technology, Marketing, Strategic Planning, and Customer Business Development.
RSVP by Jan. 13
SERIES SPONSOR: WACHOVIA SECURITIES
MEDIA SPONSOR: BUSINESS COURIER
