20 PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEEN CENTER AT LIBRARY

Computer and board games were an attraction Monday for about 20 participants in the first day of the new Teen Center at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Jesse Boyd, 13-year-old son of Pam Boyd and an eighth grader at Cape Central Junior High, said he and a couple of friends tried to figure out "The Omega Virus Game."

The description on the box said the game provides an intense 30 minutes of excitement as the players have to destroy a mutating virus in a computer system. Boyd also found a magazine to check out.

Jill Lawrence, 12-year-old daughter of Jim and Cheryl Lawrence of Cape Girardeau and a fifth-grade student at St. Vincent Grade School, enjoyed the pretzels and other snacks that were set out for the teens. She used the Paintbrush program on the teen center's computer to draw.

Lawrence said she typically visits the library about twice a month, but her visits will be more frequent with the library's addition of the teen center.

Nick Jones, 12-year-old son of Sheryl Jones of Cape Girardeau and a sixth grader at Alma Schrader School, said he heard about the teen center from some notices distributed at school.

On Monday, Jones played a board game with some friends, and also enjoyed playing "Lode Runner" on a computer.

Sheryl Jones said the extra mental stimulation provided by the center is good for her son.

Tasha Saecker, the library's coordinator of youth services, was pleased with Monday's turnout. She anticipates many of the kids will make trips to the center part of their regular schedule.

"Some of the girls were impressed that they could talk as loud as they wanted," Saecker said.

The radio was blasting at times during the teen center activities. The kids can listen to what they want and bring their own tapes.

The center is open Monday through Friday, 3-5 p.m., in the Hirsch Community Room. Saecker or another staff member will be on hand to supervise and answer the teens' questions.