Compton Film Library was erected in 1957 and opened at 1624 Locust Street in 1958. 

Besides serving as the location for SLPL’s film collection, space in the building was devoted to other collections and behind the scenes work such as a bindery, book repairs, and bookmobile services.

As it stands today. Compton Branch is more of a storage, internal working branch and research facility that houses SLPL’s extensive historical periodicals, journal collections, newspapers, folios, patents, trademarks, and local & federal government information. Materials stored at Compton are retrieved and brought to Central Library for patrons use upon request.

Central Express, as the name implies, is one of three mini-branches of the system, along with Charing Cross and Marketplace.

First of all, if this isn't the most beautiful section of downtown, it's at least in the top five. The Chemical building, the recently renovated Arcade, the modern, sleek beauty at Locust and 8th Street and of course the Old Post Office building itself.

The branch takes its name from Ira Divoll, the founder of the St. Louis Public School Library in 1865. This later became the St. Louis Public Library. Divoll’s devotion to education led him to become known as the “father of public libraries in St. Louis.” Per a March 25, 1966 article in the Globe-Democrat:

The Walnut Park branch dates back to 1917 when it opened as a sub-branch at 5553 Robin Avenue just around the way from its current location. The building was razed and is currently a vacant lot.

The library was named for George Oliver Carpenter, a successful president of a lead and oil company during St. Louis' age of industry. In 1925, while president of the St. Louis Public Library Board, Carpenter announced his plans to donate land for the branch. The Board unanimously resolved to name it in his honor. Carpenter lived in an Italianate-Mediterranean style mansion at 12 Portland Place.

The library takes its name from the neighborhood where it resides, which in turn took its name from Francisco Luis Hector, barón de Carondelet, a Frenchman who held the role as governor of the territory of Louisiana during the Spanish Colonial years in the U.S.

It takes its name from the main street in the 1877 Cabanne Subdivision laid out by Dr. John S. Cabanne, owner of a long, narrow strip of land running westward from Union Boulevard. The doctor's home was located on this street (source). This part of the city was claimed by settler Jean Pierre Cabanne.

The library takes its name from the neighborhood for which it resides. Baden became part of St. Louis in 1876. The name Baden likely came from the German city of the same name, since it was settled largely by German immigrants. Per the St. Louis City archive:

It takes its name from the 1990's-era strip mall of the same name. There is no bike rack, as this is a nearly 100% auto-centric suburban style strip mall.

The branch is unique in that it was the first library to be named in honor of a living person. Julia Davis was an educator and researcher of African-American history. Davis lived to 102 and dedicated her life to teaching and awareness of African-American cultural contributions. She taught for 48 years in the St. Louis Public Schools, 35 of those years at Simmons Elementary in the Ville Neighborhood...one of her students was Chuck Berry.  Then, on the day she retired in 1961 she established the Julia Davis Fund at the St Louis Public Library, designed for the purchase of books, manuscripts, etc. related to the African-American contribution to world culture.

Charing Cross is the smallest of all seventeen branches and is located in a renovated historic building owned by nearby Washington University. Charing Cross leases the space from Wash U.  It is the 1st "mini-branch" concept in the city, starting its life in 1992.

The branch closed and underwent a full renovation in early 2000 and reopened on May 5, 2001. The most unique characteristic of this branch is likely its distinctive round structure complimented by the large picture windows facing Kingshighway and Southwest Avenue that allow for an abundance of natural light. It is a nice design that utilizes the atypical property lines to it's advantage.

The Machecek Branch opened in September, 1974 and is named for Charles Machacek, a piano and violin teacher who granted his estate to the St. Louis Public library to be used for a branch library. 

Starting in 1922, the library was in the Susan Buder School at 5318 Lansdowne Avenue in the Southampton Neighborhood. The Buder family donated funds for the furniture and equipment as a memorial to Ms. Buder, a well-known philanthropist, for whom the school was named.

The Central West End was formerly served by the Lashly Branch which opened in July, 1968 at 4537 West Pine Boulevard. The building was designed by the William B. Ittner, Inc. architectural firm and Talisman, Inc. served as the chief contractor. The building was named in memory of Jacob Mark Lashly, a St. Louis lawyer and library leader who served 26 years on the St. Louis Public Library Board of Directors (source).

The library is on the site of the former Mount Calvary Episcopal Church, which was lost in a tornado in 1896.

Every once in awhile an amazing transformation occurs.  Our city molts and sheds its skin constantly revealing something new and utterly exciting.  The recent $70M renovation of the Central Library, the crowned jewel of our amazing library system, is nothing short of stunning.  This library has been etched into my urban experience.  I have memories of the old library which was magnificent, if not sometimes a little drab in feel. 

The renovation is an inspiration of what good design and execution can bring.  The old touches have been meticulously restored.  I am so happy it still feels like the old library.  However, the amazing use of modern lighting and new arrangements are nothing short of perfect.