CAPE LIBRARY RECIEVES DONATION OF STOCK

Few people think about the public library when doing estate planning, but one anonymous donor bestowed a unique gift to the Cape Girardeau Public Library in a last will and testament.

The library received 100 shares of IBM stock, which amounts to more than $10,000. It was a first for the library, said Director Betty Martin.

"There is no better way to serve all the people of Cape Girardeau than to donate to the library," she said. "If you're committed to education and lifelong learning and the equality of education, then the library is a great place."

Similar gifts have been given to the Library Foundation, which serves as the fund-raising arm of the library. A donation by the George Penzel family helped pay for renovations to the periodicals room at the library.

The library's board of directors decided to keep its anonymous gift in stock until the money is needed.

In the next three to five years, the board is likely to consider an addition for programming space and storage, Martin said. If that were to happen, then the stock would be cashed and the money would help pay for the construction.