Cape finds no reason to change library lines

Public disinterest in library boundaries has led Cape Girardeau officials to only one conclusion: Library boundaries will stay the same.

The Cape Girardeau public library had weighed a plan to change its boundaries, holding a public meeting and seeking input. But neither library director Betty Martin nor Mayor Jay Knudtson, who was also present at the meeting, saw sufficient reason to pursue a course different than the current one.

"We just had no way of knowing how big an issue this really is," said Martin. "It's a confusing issue, but most people once they understand it and find out that moving into the Cape district will double their taxes; they're happy to keep things the way they are."

Martin said her staff sent letters to 470 residents who pay taxes to the Riverside library district but still live inside city limits. The letters served as an informal poll to determine if zoning changes were needed. Only 11 of these residents came to the meeting and 51 others mailed postcards expressing their opinions.

The informational letter told those who currently pay taxes to the Riverside library district that their library taxes are now approximately half those paid by Cape Girardeau library district residents. The Cape Girardeau district charges 16.5 cents per $100 of home valuation versus 8 cents in Riverside.

Any resident living outside the boundaries can still get a library card by purchasing one at an annual price of $36.

Martin said the issue is doubly confusing because the library is its own taxing district. Therefore, someone paying taxes to the city of Cape Girardeau does not necessarily pay taxes to the Cape Girardeau public library.

"That was one of the things we stressed in the meeting, the fact that we are not a city department," said Martin. "None of your city taxes go to support the library."

As a result of legislation passed in 1965, library boundaries in Missouri are essentially frozen. It would take new legislation at the state level to incorporate new members into the Cape Girardeau district.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245