Benton crowd wants library to stay put

BENTON, Mo. -- A meeting of the Riverside Regional Library board Thursday night in Benton became a forum for disgruntled locals to discourage the closing the library's Benton branch.

A crowd of about 30 packed the small meeting room and was in unanimous agreement that the Benton library should not be closed.

Cathy and Tina Scherer presented petitions to the board with hundreds of signatures from residents of Sikeston, Chaffee, Diehlstadt, Commerce and Benton.

Tina Scherer, who owns a day care near the library, said parents would be reluctant to take their children to libraries in Oran or Scott City if the Benton branch closed.

"I've had so many kids who wouldn't have known what a library is before they went to school," said Tina Scherer.

At times, board members showed frustration, saying the closure is still being studied.

The library board has considered closing the Benton branch and installing a new branch in Miner.

Currently residents in the Sikeston/Miner area are served by the Sikeston Public Library, which serves a dual role as a city and regional library through a contract of $15,000 per year paid by the regional library to Sikeston. The contract has been in place for six years and was renewed for two more years Thursday night.

Residents asked why the Benton library was chosen for the consideration.

"The purpose wasn't to save money," answered regional director Nancy Howland. "The purpose was to distribute services more equitably."