AREA LIBRARIES BENEFIT FROM STATE GRANTS

The Missouri State Library has awarded more than $30,000 in basic equipment grants to two local libraries.

Riverside Regional Library and Cape Girardeau Public Library both will receive the grants to purchase new equipment, make improvements to existing equipment and improve technology. Secretary of State Matt Blunt said the grants ensure libraries have the resources and information needed to provide quality service for patrons.

"By increasing the amount of training and computer access available for the public, we are giving Missourians the tools they need to be successful in today's technological world," said Blunt in a written statement.

Cape Girardeau Public Library was awarded $4,500 to purchase two computers and laser printers. Riverside Regional Library, which has branches in Altenburg, Benton, Jackson, Morley, Oran, Perryville and Scott City, received three grants totaling $26,584 to purchase computers, electronic patron counters, a digital microfilm reader/printer and two document magnifiers.

Regional library director Nancy Howland said the new equipment will make it easier for library users to access information quickly and save research. Computers and automated equipment also will speed up inventory counts and make it easier for librarians to compile statistics for state reports.

Howland said grant funding enables libraries to purchase equipment they might not otherwise be able to afford. The new equipment is important because the public relies on libraries to provide resources access to resources.

"We have Internet accessible computers at all of the branches, and they're heavily used," she said. "Some equipment is used mainly by genealogists and other researchers, but we have many people who are coming in for general usage."