St. Louis City Public Library - Genealogy and Local History Branch

St. Louis City's Central Library (with most of their genealogy collection) closed in the middle of 2010 for construction.  They won't open again until some time in 2012.

I learned in May that St. Louis County's library system was creating a Genealogy Center in Chesterfield.  I noted that the distance from home to the new library would be three times as far as it is currently, for me (13 miles, as opposed to 4 miles. I wasn't too concerned about the distance.)

[Note: St. Louis City and St. Louis County have been separate entities since 1876.]

What I didn't see coming is a Genealogy-Specific site for the City library system.  1 Block from where I work.

As the History & Genealogy Department of the St. Louis Public Library reports

We will be opening our new genealogy and local history branch on Monday, 14 March 2011.

Compton Library
1624 Locust Street
St. Louis, MO 63103

Hours of operation: M-F: 9 am-5 pm; First Saturday of each month, 9 am-5 pm.
Parking: Free on-site parking for users of Compton Library.

[...]

Compton Library’s focus is on researchers and their needs. Compton visitors may bring their laptops if they so desire- there are outlets available. It is not intended to be a full-service branch, so only persons who need access to its specialized materials and staff subject specialists can be accommodated. Because seating is limited, please call ahead before visiting so that we can make sure we have the types of material you are seeking (and that you will have a place to sit and examine them once you get here!)