The Mercantile Library

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The Mercantile Library We're back open in The Historic Mercantile Building at 414 Walnut Street. Visit us today, you belong here!

On April 18th, 1835, forty-five merchants and clerks from boomtown Cincinnati came together to create the Young Men’s Mercantile Library Association. To fulfill its initial mission, the Library maintains and expands its historic collection of books while presenting an expansive schedule of events. Full of visits by authors and writers, book discussions, workshops, and forums, there’s something on the schedule for all bibliophiles. Additionally, the Library is home to a diverse collection of artworks including portrait busts, paintings, and sculpture.

A little housekeeping: The Library will be closed Monday, October 12, in observance of a Federal Holiday.
10/09/2026

A little housekeeping: The Library will be closed Monday, October 12, in observance of a Federal Holiday.

Stationery Club, led by library member, Eric Caoili, is a gathering for anyone who appreciates good pens, paper, planner...
09/25/2026

Stationery Club, led by library member, Eric Caoili, is a gathering for anyone who appreciates good pens, paper, planners, and handwritten notes

We’ll have plenty of stationery and other useful tools available—think markers, washi tapes, paper, glue, stickers, junk journaling ephemera, and organizational supplies—to help you plan, write, and work with intention. We will even have stamps and letter writing materials for those cards you've been meaning to send.

Feel free to bring along any of your own stationery as well, along with items you want to dust off and de-stash with the group. You will have opportunities to show and tell us about what you're working on, and to share stationery you're excited about!

October’s event features a 5:30PM presentation from The Sticker Shop’s Amy Webb (thestickershopcincinnati), who will preview her store’s upcoming workshops. This fall and winter, The Sticker Shop will host in-person workshops on fountain pens / improving handwriting, hand lettering your holiday envelopes, bullet journaling, brush calligraphy, and mindful lettering and doodling.

Don’t forget to bring your own stickers — we’ll share our favorite stickers, spooky stickers, and sticker stories throughout the evening! The club meets from 4-7PM, but you’re welcome to drop in and out during that span whenever’s convenient for you.

Lots of chances to catch a free event at The Merc this month. RSVP links in bio
09/25/2026

Lots of chances to catch a free event at The Merc this month. RSVP links in bio

Second Saturday of each month, 12 noon-2pm. We will begin each session with One Poem At A Time, a close reading of a cla...
09/05/2026

Second Saturday of each month, 12 noon-2pm. We will begin each session with One Poem At A Time, a close reading of a classic, noting matters of form, figures of speech, diction, and other features relevant to both readers and writers of poetry. Then a poetry-writing prompt and discussion, followed by thirty to forty minutes of drafting. Each session will end with a voluntary read-around of drafts, with general pointers for revision. Richard will also entertain questions about any aspect of the poetry game: submitting, publishing, networking, reading, performing. Occasionally, participants can take the opportunity to recite from memory a poem of their choice for the general delight of the group, if they so desire.

Closed for Labor Day 9/5-9/7
09/04/2026

Closed for Labor Day 9/5-9/7

Stationery Club, led by library member, Eric Caoili, is a gathering for anyone who appreciates good pens, paper, planner...
08/29/2026

Stationery Club, led by library member, Eric Caoili, is a gathering for anyone who appreciates good pens, paper, planners, and handwritten notes

We’ll have plenty of stationery and other useful tools available—think markers, washi tapes, paper, glue, stickers, junk journaling ephemera, and organizational supplies—to help you plan, write, and work with intention. We will even have stamps and letter writing materials for those cards you've been meaning to send.

Feel free to bring along any of your own stationery as well, along with items you want to dust off and de-stash with the group. You will have opportunities to show and tell us about what you're working on, and to share stationery you're excited about!

RSVP https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/events/calendar/2026/09/10/stationery-club

Stationery Club, led by library member, Eric Caoili, is a gathering for anyone who appreciates good pens, paper, planner...
08/08/2026

Stationery Club, led by library member, Eric Caoili, is a gathering for anyone who appreciates good pens, paper, planners, and handwritten notes

We’ll have plenty of stationery and other useful tools available—think markers, washi tapes, paper, glue, stickers, junk journaling ephemera, and organizational supplies—to help you plan, write, and work with intention. We will even have stamps and letter writing materials for those cards you've been meaning to send.

Feel free to bring along any of your own stationery as well, along with items you want to dust off and de-stash with the group. You will have opportunities to show and tell us about what you're working on, and to share stationery you're excited about!

August's meeting will feature a special presentation from club member Joelle (reconnectandbefriendcoach) titled "Collecting Your Mind: An Introduction to Commonplace Books". A commonplace book is a personal notebook for capturing ideas, quotes, and observations. In this workshop, we'll explore what commonplace journaling is, where it comes from, and how to set one up in whatever notebook you already love. The presentation will run from 5:30 to 6PM.

RSVP Required. https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/events/calendar/2026/08/13/stationery-club

Min Jin Lee delivers the 2026 Niehoff Lecture, the Library's only annual fundraiser.This series was first imagined in 19...
08/07/2026

Min Jin Lee delivers the 2026 Niehoff Lecture, the Library's only annual fundraiser.

This series was first imagined in 1987 by Buck and Patti Niehoff as a way to bring the best and most engaging writers and speakers to The Mercantile Library and our city. From the beginning they have graciously underwritten the event.

TICKETS:
MEMBERS: $250*
NONMEMBERS: $300*
*Includes signed copy of American Hagwon
https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/events/calendar/2026/11/07/niehoff-###vii-min-jin-lee

For information regarding sponsorships or purchasing more than eight tickets, contact Amy Hunter: [email protected]

Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
151 W 5th St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202

6 pm cocktail reception
7 pm multi-course dinner
8 pm lecture
Attire: Black-tie OR Cocktail

Don't miss our free public events in July & August
07/06/2026

Don't miss our free public events in July & August

Address

414 Walnut Street 11th & 12th Floors
Cincinnati, OH
45202

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+15136210717

Website

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