Cape Girardeau adds equipment to archives room

The city of Cape Girardeau has a short list for spending a $6,552 state grant, according to city clerk Gayle Conrad.

Shelving. A cabinet. A portable ladder. Each will be added to the city's records room.

The funds come from the secretary of state's local records preservation grant. Fees paid at Recorder of Deeds' offices are used for the grant money.

Since 1991, the Missouri secretary of state's office has issued more than $6 million through the program to preserve local records.

"Grants like these help ensure that important local documents are cared for and showcased, not forgotten in dusty attics or basements," Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said. "These local records provide valuable information about the history of Missouri's families and communities that cannot be found anywhere else."

Cape Girardeau has received $50,888 altogether, including this year's grant.

The state's total 2008 outlay, $259,281, is being divvied up among 40 counties, municipalities and school districts. Each governing body will match the state award by at least 30 percent.

Conrad said past grants have been spent on transferring paper records of ordinances, personnel records, planning and zoning building permits and plans to microfilm, renovating the municipal archives room and purchasing a microfilm reader-scanner.