Central Public Library
Central Public Library
5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

Top ways to experience Central Public Library and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Reach out directly

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles194 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
27
Average
1
Poor
3
Terrible
0

debbiebuford
Atlanta, GA14 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
I have NEVER been to a library where you can't sit and read. We visited 2 public libraries in the area and were not allowed to sit and read in either. No tables or chairs there. You can only stay 30 minutes too. I understand there is a virus but there is no reason why all of the tables and chairs have been removed. There was less than 5 people in each library!! So sad to have all of those workers there and all of the money spent for utilities from tax payers yet they can't sit and read????
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arthur E
Philadelphia, PA4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Cass Gilbet was the architect of this 1910 classical revival structure and it is a beauty. The current special exhibit about women in the Americn Labor movement and their work in St. Louis. We were not taught about their efforts r when we were in school.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marti D
Knoxville, Tennessee, United Stat78 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Family
Like many great cities in the U.S., St. Louis has a beautiful library built with the help of U.S. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. It's as beautiful as many of the others and well worth a visit, especially if you've not seen another Carnegie library.
Written 4 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CJTravelerTexas
Texas8,963 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2013 • Solo
Upon the recommendation of the Hyatt’s concierge, I went to the Central Library of St. Louis. The Central Library at 13th and Olive was built in 1912 on a location formerly occupied by the St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall and was designed by Cass Gilbert. This magnificent building recently underwent a massive restoration, and it is unbelievably beautiful. In addition to being a library, it is a museum, an architectural wonder, and a place that fosters a learning environment. This is a beautiful building, and the tour provided me by Peter, a retired school teacher who was one of the docents, was informative and interesting. I spent close to two hours in this library, and it was time well spent. I would certainly return the next time I am in St. Louis.
Written 26 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The vicar
Saint Louis, MO47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
I've used this library many times over the years. Very helpful were the old newspapers available on microfilm.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dario2788
Exeter, UK231 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Business
There is a free tour every Monday morning at 11 am. The docent was extremely knowledgeable and passionate. The building is very interesting, and the library has a great section for children.
Written 18 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachel J
Saint Louis, MO4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Family
Like most main library branches, ours does not disappoint. I have found better research materials here than in come collegiate libraries. It's also very quiet, lots of places to hang out away from people, large meeting rooms, there's also a production studio where you can book time to create things, and the architecture is a good mesh of antique (West entrance) and modern (East entrance).
Written 16 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

austin t
Saint Louis, MO21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2016 • Family
You will love this place even if you don't like libraries. Its the best in the country. I wished I had a library like this when I was kid. I would lot smarter.
Written 17 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob D
Town and Country, MO374 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Solo
Recently reopened following an extensive renovation, this is a beautiful place to see and as useful as any library could be. They really did a great job here!
Written 9 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peg O
Saint Louis, MO35 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Friends
If you are from STL and just don't have anything else to do.... nice 15 minutes to look at a
beautiful building.
As a born in STL cheerleader, we took family to visit. Having heard all the great things etc..
and with an exhibit of theWizard of Oz, we thought it would be great.
It was ridiculous and actually embarrassing to take people here.
The building is beautiful refurbished and that is all. The exhibits were nothing more
than treasures from someones personal basement collection. One part was Beanie
Baby Muppets dressed as the Tin Man, Good Witch and The Scarecrow. The
Tornado Exhibit was nothing more than a few letters and a couple of dozen blown up
photographs.

Truly a great disappointment.
Written 5 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 190
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

CENTRAL PUBLIC LIBRARY (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

All Saint Louis HotelsSaint Louis Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Saint Louis
All things to do in Saint Louis
Zoos & Aquariums in Saint Louis
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire