Both are excellent resources and they do have some different things, so it depends on what you want to research. Times they are open: For this my vote goes to the county because they are open M-F until 9 PM. The city is open on specific nights...I think Tuesday is one of them. Passenger lists: City has lots of these. I have not seen them at the county but I might not have looked too hard for them as I found them so easily in the city. Newspapers: City has lots of these too. I think the County has them too but I have not seen them as accessible as I see them in the city. City Directories and Census Records: Both have these. The city has automatic drive microfilm readers while the county has the kind you have to turn. That is not a big issue but if you are doing a lot of them it can get tiring. Helpful librarians: Both have great and very helpful staff. Church records: County has them. Not sure if the city does or not. Reference books on many other states and outlying areas: Both have these but they have different books. Computer access: Both have Ability to copy microfilm: Both have What you can take into the research room in the county is more restricted than in the city. Parking is much easier at the county than in the city where you have to pay at meters that are limited to around 2 hours or slightly less. So you see both have pros and cons depending upon what you are looking for. The city is located closes to City Hall and Vital Statistics and the Courts as well. St. Louis also offers: Several LDS centers The Carondelet Area Historical Society which has a wonder research library with things I have not seen in other places Plus multiple museums and societies that cater to genealogy, ethnic background, city and county history, veterans, and the list goes on.... Depending upon how much time you will have you may want to spend a day in each location. Laura ----- Original Message ----- From: <SReif1956@aol.com> To: <MO-STLOUIS-METRO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:20 PM Subject: [StL-Metro] City vs County Library > Here's a question for all who live in the St. Louis area right now. > > If I were to go to St. Louis to search for information in the old city > directories, would I be happier at the city library in St. Louis or the county > library in Frontenac? I want to be able to look at city birth, death and > marriage/divorce index.records also. > > I will have limited time, so I just wanted to know where my time would best > be spent. > > Also, when searching through the directories and indices, is it possible to > make copies of the records (Xerox) or do they allow digital cameras in the > research areas? > > Would appreciate a reply from those who have been down the path I am taking. > > Thanks, Sharon > > > ==== MO-STLOUIS-METRO Mailing List ==== > A complete Genealogy just can't be...there's always more. > >