The Literary Fiction Collection
The Library’s Literary Fiction Collection is comprised of over 75,000 titles published in the past 100 years and a nineteenth century collection of about 10,000 titles, which are currently in storage. The Library has recently acquired many highly regarded works of international fiction in translation and continues to purchase the best fiction. Each year, the Library adds about 1,000 new fiction titles. The Library’s collection is entirely in English.
The Mystery and Detective Collection
Our fiction collection is particularly strong in the area of mystery, and is arguably the best circulating mystery and detective fiction collection in the United States. It was honored with a Raven Award of the Mystery Writers of America in 2000.
The Non-Fiction Collection
The Library also holds about 20,000 non-fiction titles, primarily relating to literary subjects. The library still retains some titles in the humanities and has a strong biography collection on figures in literature and the humanities.
Periodicals and Newspapers
The Library has a large collection of literary periodicals and newspapers located in the Reading Room.
Mercantile Library Policies
1. New books (Reading Room Collection) circulate for two weeks.
2. All other books circulate for three weeks.
3. Overdue fines are 10 cents per day.
4. Reserve fees are 25 cents per book.
5. Library books returned when the library is closed may be placed in the mail slot in our east door.
6. Summer loans: Three-week books may be checked out for an eight-week period beginning July 1 and ending August 31.
Online Catalog
The library now has an online catalog containing all books acquired since 1991. Books published before 1991 are accessible from our card catalog. Members having a barcode on their card may set up an account by clicking on “Create Account”. Then they may view their check outs, place reserves and make purchase suggestions.
Websites for Readers
Award Annals
The Award Annals is a site dedicated to lists of books, movies, and music that have been judged the best of their kind.
Genreflecting
Never apologize for your reading taste!
Stop, You're Killing Me!
A site to die for... If you love mystery books!
Mystery Ink!
Crime fiction book reviews, author interviews and more!
The Mystery Reader
The very latest news and views on mystery novels.