The Mercantile Library

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Mercantile Library 60 likes. "Mercantile Library peregrine falcon nestbox 2026"

Because sometimes the best things in life are free (with rsvp 😉) link in bio or visit mercantilelibrary.com

An inside look at the Supreme Court justice reshaping modern America.

Join us for an evening with Peter Canellos, prize-winning journalist and author of Revenge for the Sixties, the first major biography of Samuel Alito and the decades-long conservative legal movement that led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. From Dobbs v. Jackson to the broader transformation of the Court, this conversation explores the people, politics, and personal history behind one of the most consequential shifts in American law.

Reception at 6 pm | Program at 6:30 pm
Free and open to the public | Registration required
https://www.mercantilelibrary.com/events/calendar/2026/05/07/revenge-for-the-sixties-an-evening-with-peter-canellos

Copies of Revenge for the Sixties will be available for sale and signing, courtesy of Joseph-Beth Cincinnati.