Libraries

The University City Public Library was established in 1939 by the vote of the citizenry to provide funds for its maintenance. With a collection of 8,000 books, the library opened in December 1939. By the mid-1960's, with a book collection ten times larger, the University City Public Library was overflowing its original building. The new building at 6701 Delmar was opened to the public in December 1969. At the University City Public Library, service to children and young adults has a high priority. The youth services department is staffed with professional librarians and paraprofessional trained to work with young people. A strong book collection is paired with a very active series of storyhours; special programs; summer reading clubs and activities; and outreach to public, private and pre-schools in University City. Taking as their theme "Children who read, succeed," our youth services department strives to make a difference in the lives of our youngest citizens. At the other end of the age spectrum, outreach to senior citizens involves regular deliveries to homebound patrons and rotating collections of large print books in some older adult residence homes. The Friends of the Library and volunteer drivers help to make this program possible. The library also functions as a community meeting place with small conference rooms and a large auditorium available to groups and organizations. Literacy tutors and their students use meeting space in the library, and there is a special collection of books for the new adult reader available for checkout. A gallery on the second floor exhibits work by professional artists seven months each year, with the remaining time reserved for art from the public schools, the University City Art Association and the annual University City Photo Show. The library is open seven days a week, including five evenings. A professional staff is available, in the library and by telephone, to provide reference and readers' advisory service. Other services include income tax form distribution, large print materials for the visually impaired, interlibrary loan, an archive of local history and dial-in access to the on-line public access catalog. Card holders may also check out materials from any of the eight member libraries in the Municipal Library Consortium.