Local libraries offer much more than books

These days, there's much more to do at the library than sit quietly and read or study. Public libraries throughout Southeast Missouri offer all sorts of educational programs, test preparation, meeting spaces, reading groups, guest speakers, access to computers and e-readers, and much more.

"Libraries are changing from what used to be an archive to a destination. You can come and spend an extended period of time doing a variety of activities," says Betty Martin, director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Martin says many people aren't aware of the resources available via the library's "digital branch," or online resources. By going to capelibrary.org, library patrons can use Mango to learn a language, EBSCOhost to read magazine articles, Novelist to find new books to read or even Chilton's Car Repair for directions and diagrams to fix a vehicle. Users can access the library's catalog from a computer, renew or place books on hold and even arrange to have books borrowed and delivered from another library -- then go to the drive-up window outside the library to pick up those items.

Ron Eifert, assistant director of the Sikeston Public Library, says online resources are the most overlooked service at the library, but says a lot can be done online for people who can't make it to the library during business hours, from genealogy research to book downloads.

"I still like reading a paper book, but if I'm at home at 9 at night and I finish my book that I've checked out from the library, and I want to start another one right away, I can go to the library website and download a book right then and there," says Eifert.

For those who do make it to the library, Eifert says the Sikeston staff is preparing to renovate the basement into a handicap-accessible children's area, with hopes for completion by spring or summer 2015. Speaking of children, kids' programs are a big hit at the Sikeston library, and this year's summer reading programs will have a science theme, says Eifert.

The Cape Girardeau Public Library has art programs, Lego programs, story time and gaming systems for children, plus computer classes, yoga instruction, book discussion groups and current events discussions for adults.

The library has free Wi-Fi throughout the building, 45 computers available for public use and a number of e-readers that patrons can use in the library or borrow for home.

"Anyone can come in the building and use the computers or attend programs, but you have to have a library card if you want to check something out," says Martin.

Online resources and programming are also aplenty at Riverside Regional Library, which has branches in Jackson, Perryville, Altenburg, Oran, Benton and Scott City. One popular resource is Freegal Music, where users can download three free songs per week to a computer, mp3 player or smartphone, says Julie Sauer, manager of the Perryville branch of Riverside Regional Library. Users can also look up Consumer Reports, take online courses and take GED practice tests at riversideregionallibrary.org.

"I think everything on the website is awesome," says Sauer. Inside the library, computers and printers are free for public use, and the library holds story times, iPod, Nook and Kindle classes, book discussion groups, senior computer classes and more.

"I think we have a lot of things to offer now that we have e-books and Wi-Fi," says Sauer. "Everything is free, and we add to our collection every month."

At Keller Public Library in Dexter, Mo., the genealogy resources are a main attraction. The library houses the largest genealogy collection in Stoddard County, including hard copy materials from 32 states and attracting researchers from all over the country, says library director Pam Trammell. A local genealogy society meets at the library once a month, she adds.

Keller Public Library also offers a weekly story hour for preschoolers, a six-week summer reading program for children and a number of online databases.

"Our goal is to offer the information people are seeking, and in the format they choose, whether they want a hard copy or online, or they want to read in an electronic format, movies or audio -- we offer information in all of those formats," says Trammell.