PLANNING A VISIT?

Kids/grandkids back in school? Maybe now is the perfect time to plan a visit to the SLPL Genealogy Room!

Central Library
Genealogy Room, 3rd Floor
1301 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
314-241-2288
webref@slpl.org
http://www.slpl.org/

Hours: M-Th-- 10 AM-9 PM
Fri-Sat-- 10 AM-6 PM

Parking: You should be careful about feeding that meter! They are checked regularly on weekdays and Saturdays. Parking meters are not checked in downtown St. Louis, however, on Sundays and after 7 PM.

You can also park at one of the numerous all-day parking lots near the Library. Prices vary.

We also offer limited free parking on our lot at the nw corner of 15th & Olive Streets (directly behind the Campbell House Museum). You can pull right onto the lot, but will need a token you pick up at one of the entrance service desks in order to exit from the lot.

Security procedures: You will need to be buzzed into the Genealogy Room. Press the white button to the right of the door and state your purpose for visiting. Come in after we give you the OK.

You may bring a bag, briefcase, or pack that you can fit under your chair. You may bring notebooks, pens, and pencils (we prefer that you use pencil while using our books). You may bring a bottled water or soda—no open cans or cups, and no food is allowed.

You may bring a laptop or netbook (you will need an SLPL library card in order to access the Internet—out-of-town visitors can get a temporary guest card). Numerous outlets are available in the Genealogy Room.

Reference databases: You may access various reference databases for free in the Genealogy Room (you don't need a library card to do so). Such databases include (but are not limited to) Ancestry.com; HeritageQuest.com; Fold3.com; Historical Post-Dispatch (1874-1922); and Sanborn Maps (Missouri only). Some of these databases may be accessed from home if you have an SLPL library card.

Collection: We concentrate on the State of Missouri, and states and countries that furnished large numbers of persons to this state. That means the collection is quite good for most states east of the Mississippi River, and many Western European countries. We also own an extensive collection of printed family histories. Our microfilm collection includes census materials, passenger lists, military records, native American tribal rolls, city directories, plus local newspapers, vital records, and cemetery records. You can use our catalog to search for materials of interest prior to visiting the Library.

SLPL Catalog

Copies: People using our microfilm collection can either print paper copies or save images to a flash drive (you must supply your own flash drive).

There is a photocopier in the Genealogy Room for making copies from books or magazines (15 cents per copy). You can also take photos of items from our collection provided such images are strictly for personal use (no flash, please), but we ask that you obtain permission before using such photos in a printed publication or on a website, blog, or other digital publication.

Dining/Amenities: You can currently purchase food or drink in the Library, but Downtown St. Louis provides a great online guide to the nearly 200 restaurants in downtown St. Louis (many within easy walking distance of the Library).

Downtown St. Louis Amenities Guide

Have a question?

Ask a Librarian!