In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Waller McGuire. The longtime CEO of the St. Louis Public Library talks about what brought him to St. Louis, what’s changed during his tenure, how two library branches survived a direct hit from the May 2025 tornado, and why libraries are more important now than ever. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about how a plan to pay for public art around the city was passed by aldermen 16 years ago—only to be completely ignored ever since. Watch on YouTube and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are available. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/episode-47

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207 

This episode is presented by NCJWSTL The Resale Shop and sponsored by Cardinals Nation. The Resale Shop is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, Couturier, October 7–10. For over 60 years, this premier resale event has featured high-quality designer clothing, accessories, and home décor at a fraction of the cost. Proceeds support NCJWSTL programs benefiting local women, children, and families. Learn more.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. 

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.

In this episode of&nbsp;The 314 Podcast, host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/sarah-fenske/">Sarah Fenske</a>&nbsp;talks with Waller McGuire. The longtime CEO of the St. Louis Public Library talks about what brought him to St. Louis, what&rsquo;s changed during his tenure, how two library branches survived a direct hit from the May 2025 tornado, and why libraries are more important now than ever. Then, Sarah chats with&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;staff writer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/ryan-krull">Ryan Krull</a>&nbsp;about how a plan to pay for public art around the city was passed by aldermen 16 years ago&mdash;only to be completely ignored ever since. Watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf">YouTube</a>&nbsp;and listen on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE">Spotify</a>, or wherever podcasts are available. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
<blockquote></blockquote>
See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/episode-47
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf&nbsp;
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE&nbsp;
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207&nbsp;
This episode is presented by <a href="https://ncjwstl.org/Couturier">NCJWSTL The Resale Shop</a>&nbsp;and sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/cardinals-nation">Cardinals Nation</a>.&nbsp;The Resale Shop is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, Couturier, October 7&ndash;10. For over 60 years, this premier resale event has featured high-quality designer clothing, accessories, and home d&eacute;cor at a fraction of the cost. Proceeds support NCJWSTL programs benefiting local women, children, and families.&nbsp;<a href="https://ncjwstl.org/Couturier">Learn more.</a>
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/
Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.&nbsp;
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

The 314 Podcast

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.