St. Louis County Library Moves Ahead on Chesterfield Branch
Date Posted: January 22, 2026
Posted In: Projects,
St. Louis County Library (SLCL) is preparing to begin construction on a new Chesterfield Branch, replacing the existing Samuel C. Sachs Branch at 16400 Burkhardt Place. The current facility is scheduled to close Jan. 31, with construction expected to start in February. The new branch is projected to open in early 2027.
The replacement facility, to be named the Guy and Judy Jaffe Family Branch, represents a $10 million preliminary investment by SLCL and will be larger than the existing building. SLCL reports a 20,700-square-foot footprint, approximately 5,000 square feet larger than the current branch, while the project architect lists the building at roughly 25,000 square feet, a difference likely reflecting footprint versus gross building area.
Improved Connectivity
Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) is serving as architect, providing architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design services. Plans call for the new building to shift to the northwest portion of the site, improving connectivity to an existing outdoor reading garden and strengthening the relationship between the building and its surrounding public space.
The new Chesterfield Branch is designed to function as a community-oriented civic space. Program elements include a larger community meeting room, eight study rooms, collaborative work areas, and a range of informal seating options. Dedicated spaces are planned for children, teens, and “tweens,” reflecting SLCL’s focus on age-specific programming and flexible learning environments.
First In-Branch Coffee Shop
A notable addition is the first in-branch coffee shop in the St. Louis County Library system, to be operated by Goshen Coffee Roasters. SLCL has positioned the café as part of a broader strategy to encourage longer visits and greater community use of library facilities. Interior features highlighted by the library also include a fireplace, expanded natural light, and updated collections and technology.
Outdoor amenities are a key component of the project. In addition to the enhanced reading garden, plans include an outdoor patio intended to support informal gathering and seasonal programming.
$1M Gift from Jaffes
The branch’s new name follows a $1 million gift from Guy and Judy Jaffe, whose philanthropic work has supported education, entrepreneurship, and cultural initiatives in the St. Louis region.
SLCL is procuring the project through a competitive general contractor RFP process, with board consideration anticipated in February. During construction, patron holds will be routed to SLCL’s Thornhill Branch.