News

St. Louis County Library will begin construction on a new Chesterfield Branch in February 2026. The new Guy and Judy Jaffe Family Branch will be built on the current site of the Samuel C. Sachs Branch, which will close to the public on January 31. The new branch is the first in the SLCL system to feature a coffee shop, in partnership with Goshen Coffee Roasters. The new branch will be named after Guy Jaffe and Judy Schwartz Jaffe, who donated $1 million to the project. The new branch is expected to open in 2027.

St. Louis County Library is offering a unique opportunity for teens to become safe and successful babysitters through the Safe Sitter® program. Teens ages 12–16 can build childcare, first aid and CPR skills through the Safe Sitter workshops held at the Library, while also learning key business skills to help them stand out and earn babysitting jobs with confidence. SLCL is hosting free Safe Sitter workshops once a month throughout 2026 at various branches.

Practice reading skills and build confidence with Gateway to Reading Readalongs. Backed by the science of reading, these all-in-one print and audiobooks use narration to support readers in sounding out words.

The St. Louis County Library Foundation will host its biennial gala at the Clark Family Branch on October 2, 2026. The night will feature entertainment, a delicious dining experience and more! Come show your Library Love! Tickets and sponsorship information coming soon.

St. Louis County Library unveiled a new bookmobile on December 1 at Armstrong Elementary in the Hazelwood School District. Sponsored by the James S. McDonnell Family Foundation, this is the fourth new bookmobile to join the SLCL fleet in 2025. The design of the Books are Magical bookmobile was created by St. Louis artist Dan Zettwoch with input from kids across St. Louis County and was selected by voters on SLCL’s social media platforms.

Stop by your local SLCL branch from December 8, 2025-January 30, 2026 and donate to our winter food drive benefitting Operation Food Search. The most needed items are canned meats, fish, fruit, beans, soup, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and spaghetti sauce.