The Mercantile Library

06/18/2026

Closed for Juneteenth Friday, June 19, 2026.

06/09/2026

Juliet laid her first egg on April 2, and by April 9 the nest held a clutch of four. On May 10, fittingly Mother’s Day, the first chick hatched. Two more soon followed, giving us three healthy eyases. The fourth egg will help future research at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Last week, the chicks were banded by Jeff Hays, and we learned that Juliet & Beck are raising two females and one male! Their information will be added to the Midwest Peregrine Society database.

Now we need your help! 🐣
It's time to name Cincinnati’s newest falcons. Submit your choices. Names will be announced June 18. https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/name-the-falcons

The eyases are nearly full-grown, and before long we'll see them exploring beyond the nest box and taking their first flights.

06/06/2026

Introducing Renga Roadtrip: A Summer Haiku Adventure

This summer, we're trading screens for sidewalks, rushing for reflection, and ordinary outings for poetic discovery.

Join Kara and Shannon for a three-part journey through Cincinnati as we explore rivers, butterflies, gardens, architecture, and trails through the art of haiku. Along the way we'll walk, observe, write, share, and connect with fellow readers and writers.

📍 June 12: River Walk
🦋 July 10: Butterflies & Foliage
🌿 September 3: Haiku Trail at Hueston Woods

Whether you're an experienced writer or simply curious about slowing down and paying attention, Renga Roadtrip is an invitation to see our city with fresh eyes.

The journey concludes with a collaborative zine featuring participants' poems, photographs, and reflections from the summer.

Because poetry isn't something far away. It's waiting wherever we choose to pay attention.

Presented by The Mercantile Library
Sponsored by Cathy Willis
In memory of Peggy Willis Lyles

Spots are VERY limited rsvp: Introducing Renga Roadtrip: A Summer Haiku Adventure

This summer, we're trading screens for sidewalks, rushing for reflection, and ordinary outings for poetic discovery.

Join Kara and Shannon for a three-part journey through Cincinnati as we explore rivers, butterflies, gardens, architecture, and trails through the art of haiku. Along the way we'll walk, observe, write, share, and connect with fellow readers and writers.

📍 June 12: River Walk
🦋 July 10: Butterflies & Foliage
🌿 September 3: Haiku Trail at Hueston Woods

Whether you're an experienced writer or simply curious about slowing down and paying attention, Renga Roadtrip is an invitation to see our city with fresh eyes.

The journey concludes with a collaborative zine featuring participants' poems, photographs, and reflections from the summer.

Because poetry isn't something far away. It's waiting wherever we choose to pay attention.

Presented by The Mercantile Library
Sponsored by Cathy Willis
In memory of Peggy Willis Lyles

Spots are VERY limited attend one session or all three: https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/events/calendar/2026/06/12/renga-road-trip

06/02/2026

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.

06/01/2026

Kicking Off Summer with Free Events- Come and See Us!

06/01/2026

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/2026/06/11/stationery-club

05/31/2026

Read with us this summer ❤️‍🔥📚

Summer Reading Challenge with The Mercantile Library
Read books, make friends, earn prizes!

Our Summer Reading Challenge is an opportunity to meet your fellow Mercantile members, and have some literary adventures along the way. We’ll be raffling off tickets to one of our always sold-out Signature Series lectures. You can get some personalized recommendations to load up your TBR. And there’ll be free T-shirts & tote bags. What could be better?

WHEN

June 1 through August 1

Join us at 6 p.m. June 8 for a Kick-off Party where you can meet other readers, get your book tracker, and ask our librarians for personalized recommendations
We’ll celebrate our summer of reading with a Wrap-up Party, 6 p.m. August 3!

HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS

Keep track of every book you read June 1 through August 1

One book = one raffle ticket in our grand prize drawing
Select books, including Make Believe by Mac Barnett, our 2026 Innovation speaker, count for two raffle tickets

Grand prize is two tickets to the 2026 Memoir Lecture with Roxane Gay!

Questions? Email [email protected]

Ready to read with us? Sign up today link in bio!

05/28/2026

Falcons can’t read, but they are the fastest animal on earth. And there is a pair that have nested on the 11th Story ledge of the Mercantile Library. Join us for a conversation with raptor experts and enthusiasts, all while viewing the Library’s resident peregrine falcon family.

Free & open to the public. Reservations requested https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/events/calendar/2026/06/04/library-falcons

Panelists:
Jeff Hays, Biologist, Raptor, Inc
David Orban, VP Animal Programs, Cincinnati Zoo
Cedric Rose, Collector, The Mercantile Library
Moderator: John Faherty, Warner Huguenin Executive Director, The Mercantile Library

05/22/2026

The Library will be closed Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

05/11/2026

Breaking (Egg) Alert! We had our first peregrine falcon hatchling in the Mercantile Library's peregrine falcon nestbox on Mother's Day, with a second appearing this morning: https://www.youtube.com/live/qQ3P2q2N_h0?si=AuV1dZA06tq36gen

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