University City Public Library

Good service (and a self checkout system for when the line gets long). Great community programs. Large selection of books and magazines and videos (sometimes I can’t find something but that’s my own fault not the library’s!) they have an inter library loan system with other municipalities in the city which vastly expands their selection. Free wifi for library card holders. Great children’s and teens’ area. They even have books in large print for visually impaired people, and books in foreign languages. There can be a wait for the computers so be aware of that. I’ve found this branch has a good selection of study books and materials for standardized tests so check it out before you purchase them new. You can also check out Ebooks which you download to your own device — learn more on their website. This library is a staple to the community and I’ve grown up treating it as a second home. Check it out, you will most likely be glad you did. I never go home empty handed. Even though I have a 20 cent fine and didn’t realize it they still said I didn’t have to pay it today, I could pay it next time. Just checkout their policies and make sure to return your materials on time

Updating my earlier reviews to simply emphasize that the staff here is horrible. Why did they become librarians if they don’t want to work in a library or interact with the public?

Made this a specific destination as they were holding a quilt show during the month of October. It was actually a great place for the show as the quilts were hung the center stairway as well as a in another room upstairs.
As for the library, I took note of a few things that I deem necessary. As a student, it’s imperative that if there are tables to work at, there are accompanying power outlets as well. This, however, I did not find. There was one small four-​cube area that had an outlet, but all of the other tables that would be needed for spreading out were lacking power. I would not be able to come here to spend any time working or studying.
I noted two conference rooms upstairs that require permission to use — pretty standard for libraries, though there was someone using one that I’m pretty sure didn’t have permission. I also noted a fully used computer area downstairs that was completely full. Great to see that it was being used, actually. There were sitting areas situated throughout the library for reading and also eyed that the classical music CD collection was vast and had a note indicating there was no limit on how many you could rent. Looked like there was a pretty large children’s section upstairs and also found they had a large® selection of japanese literature.

Nice location. I was able to find a book here that I used for school, so I did not have to buy a textbook for a class I was taking. The employees were usually nice and easy to work with.

Nice library in the heart of The U City Loop. Could use some updating. They host free thorough health screenings upstairs on the 3^rd Saturday of each month.

This library is nifty. Yay for libraries!
I came here for the first time a few weeks ago because I was going shopping and had left my coupon printout at work. I know, right? Why the hell can’t we just use coupons on our phones all the time instead of wasting trees or time? I digress…
So I visited the UCPL to borrow their interwebz and print out my coupon on my way to the store. I love libraries, but I feel nervous and discombobulated when I walk into one for the first time. It’s like everyone will assume that I’m the loud girl — which I totally am — and an addled newbie. The old-​person smell and dark wood laminate everywhere also contributed to my unease. But the two folks at the main desk were kind, and they set me up with a password and told me where to find my assigned computer station and how to print. I took the last free station.
My computer station was part of a long double row of stations that were separated by vertical panels. My surroundings made me feel like I was getting ready to vote, and I felt very protective of my space. From their (not quiet) conversations, it sounded like many of the other people were looking for jobs or research school topics. Being eight inches away from other users, I couldn’t escape the heavy smoke smell on a few of them. Not cool. It wasn’t the library’s fault, but there wasn’t really anything I could do. Had more stations been open, I might have requested to move, I suppose.
The library’s internet was fast. There was a little timer at the bottom right of the screen that counted down the remaining time I could use the computer (I think it was around 75 minutes). I looked stuff up, compared prices and printed my coupon. To pick up my printout, I had to fork over $ 0.10 and then get it from the giant printer at the desk.
The parking lot was small, unless there’s an additional lot that I don’t know about. The Delmar/​Olive bus runs by the library, though, so transit is a great option.
All in all, the UCPL is A-​OK. It’s near some of my favorite stores, so I’ll likely stop by again to print other things. Maybe next time, I’ll even try borrowing items.

The librarians are usually extremely friendly, occasionally curmudgeonly, but in the cute grandpa kind of way.
Plenty of space to read undisturbed. Free wi-​fi. Big music collection. Books. One fairly sexy librarian.

Okay, let’s be honest, I don’t read a TON, unless you consider skimming a copy of Glamour while on the toilet to be reading. I buy a lot of books, mainly cuz they look cool. Every book I find I am sure is going to change my life. I rarely make it past the forward.
And, to be even more honest, when I go to the library, it is usually for one of three things:
1. To borrow wireless internet so that I can update my facebook status
2. To borrow wireless internet so that I can check my work e-​mail so that my boss thinks I’m actually working
3. To check out DVDs because I’m too cheap even for Redbox
The occasional 4^th library use for me is to scope out hot bookwormish 20-​somethings with Sarah Palin glasses and nerdy law students in argyle sweater vests.
And to think, I was once a summer reading program champion. Welp, those days are long gone. Mainly cuz I got to the end of the Sweet Valley Twins books.
I guess my point is that no matter whether you actually read books, or you mainly use the library to satisfy your lazy Gen X attention span, this one has got it going on. GREAT location. Not too elitist to play nice with surrounding library systems. Few restrictions. Great online system. Helpful, though stereotypical, library staff. Tight but plentiful parking.
High five, U City Library. I checked out a book on tape— are you proud? One step closer to actual reading. Yay me.

It’s your basic urban/​suburban library, the staff is very helpful and always willing to point you in the right direction. The music section is not so nice especially compared to the Kirkwood, (if you have a U City card, you can sign out here and return to the U City branch)

I have had quite a few meetings at this library for various reasons. The auditorium is located on the second floor and has an elevator; handicap accessible is very important for a few of the attendees. The staff is always friendly and helpful, but I find this to be true in every library I’ve ever been to, well accept my grade school librarian… I hope she is retired by now :)
I have to read a lot of children’s books for my job and I have had to rely on UCPL multiple times for titles that are out of print or are not available at StL County PL for a variety of reasons. One great feature about this library is that is it in a network with a several other municipality libraries (not St. L County PL) and if I order the books on line and they are at several different municipality libraries, I can pick them all up at U City. I get an email to let me know the book has been delivered to UCPL and on hold for me. I realize the same is true for St L County PL, but the selection amongst the municipality libraries has been much larger, in my experience.
Parking at the library is kind of limited, but not too worry! Across the street is a huge public parking lot, which is also free :)
After you find the perfect book; take a stroll to one of the many establishments and enjoy all that the Loop has to offer.