Here’s yet another reason to love your public library: An announcement today from the St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) and the St. Louis County Library (SLCL) means library cardholders across the region will now have access to almost 5 million items.
The libraries are now sharing an integrated system that will allow patrons from either city or county access to an expanded, more accessible collection, as well as the ability to view, request, receive and check out items from either system. Using the shared catalog, cardholders can conduct a single search and have the item delivered to their library of choice.
Current library cards can now be used to access items from both systems; however, new library cards, sponsored by the St. Louis Cardinals to commemorate the merging of catalogs, were unveiled during this morning’s announcement.
On hand for today’s announcement at the SLCL Mid-County branch in Clayton were St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, as well as SLCL director Kristen Sorth and SLPL director Waller McGuire.
Groundbreaking is planned for early next year for a major renovation and expansion project that will transform Powell Hall into a state-of-the-art music center for the community.
The building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, opened as a movie theater in 1925. This will be the first major renovation project at Powell Hall since it became the St. Louis Symphony’s permanent home in 1968.
The centerpiece of the 65,000-square-foot expansion is the creation of an education and learning center that will serve as a rehearsal venue for the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, IN UNISON Chorus and the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, as well as provide event spaces. In addition, a new lobby with concession areas, coat check and more will connect the main hall to an expanded backstage area and the new center.
The auditorium’s capacity will also be reduced by about 500 seats in hopes of enhancing audience experience with larger seats and extra leg room. Other updates to the building include adding new entrances, creating outdoor green spaces and improving parking areas.
The project, estimated at more than $100 million, is expected to be completed by early 2025.
The Landmarks Association of St. Louis will soon embark on its 25th season of walking tours throughout downtown’s most historical places. Beginning April 2, Landmarks’ Downtown Walking Tours will be offered every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The tours, each covering approximately 3 miles at a leisurely pace, combine history, culture, architecture – and yes, exercise – as experienced guides tell stories of the people and personalities who made their mark on the city.
The East Tour highlights the historical and architectural legacy of the heart of the city, from the riverfront to landmarks and engineering marvels such as the Gateway Arch, Eads Bridge, Old Cathedral and Old Post Office. The West Tour explores some of St. Louis’ grandest buildings like Union Station, City Hall, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and Central Library.
The walking tour season runs through Oct. 29. Tickets ($10 each, with free admission for children younger than 12) are available online.
A major sculpture by acclaimed artist Kehinde Wiley will be erected at the new Doorways campus just north of downtown.
The bronze sculpture, called “Rumors of War,” will be permanently sited at Doorways’ new headquarters at 1101 N. Jefferson Ave. in North St. Louis. The work, one of nine smaller versions of a larger sculpture Wiley made for placement in Richmond, Virginia, measures 53 inches high, 64 inches wide and 24 inches deep. It reimagines monuments depicting traditional equestrian heroes with a few significant changes: The man on the horse is Black with his hair in dreadlocks and dressed in a hoodie, jeans and high-top sneakers. “Rumors of War,” modeled after the statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart that was recently taken down in Richmond, is the artist’s direct response to longstanding Confederate monuments across the country.
Wiley gained national recognition for his official portrait of President Barack Obama and other large-scale paintings of African American men and women wearing contemporary clothing with poses inspired by well-known historical Western artworks.
The Gateway Foundation purchased “Rumors of War” specifically for the Doorways site. The new campus for Doorways, an organization that works to provide housing and other support to those affected by HIV/AIDS, is expected to be completed later this summer.
It’s a date: The Saint Louis Ballet will kick off its spring gala with a special fashion event at Neiman Marcus next week. The April 7 event will feature a fashion show starring Saint Louis Ballet dancers in special occasion attire and accessories, as well as light appetizers, beverages, shopping and more. The gala, themed “Starry Night,” takes place May 14 at The Chase Park Plaza. Click here to RSVP for the kickoff event. SLB & NM Fashion Event | Powered By GiveSmart
In two weeks, Safe Connections will host its 15th annual Together! Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Safe Connections is among the longest-running organizations in St. Louis that works to prevent and end domestic and sexual violence, and advocates for survivors and their families. Proceeds from the April 9 event benefit the free services the organization provides to the community, including 24-hour crisis intervention, prevention education, counseling and support groups. Tickets are still available. Visit the official event page for more information.
Woof! A rescue dog named Yogi has been chosen as the official 2022 Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) “Bark in the Park” mascot.
Yogi, an HSMO alum, bested two other finalists and garnered more than 10,000 votes during the contest. As mascot, he’ll be leading the Walk for Animals as part of HSMO’s Bark in the Park event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 21 at Cricket Field in Forest Park.
Bark in the Park is returning after two years due to COVID and will feature a slate of popular activities such as a 5k race, 1-mile walk and pet festival. Early registration through May 1 is now available online. Proceeds from Bark in the Park benefit HSMO’s Animal Cruelty Fund, dedicated to investigating, healing and preventing animal cruelty and neglect.
An award-winning journalist recognized for her media leadership and for promoting diversity in her profession, Gazelle editor-in-chief Trish Muyco-Tobin has more than 25 years of experience in print and broadcast media. She is also a proud community volunteer. The Trish Set is her monthly St. Louis column featuring good news and goodwill.
