CAPE LIBRARY TO OPEN NEW LITERACY CENTER

Using funds from a $28,000 grant recently awarded to the Cape Girardeau Public Library will open a Homework and Literacy Center Saturday in Southeast Cape Girardeau.

The center will be located in the Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, at 624 S. Ellis, and will provide traditional and innovative library services to preschoolers and their parents. It will be open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Programs and study resources will be available for school-aged children and young adults through grade 12, weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The grand opening celebration will feature a parade from the Del Farm parking lot, at 121 S. Sprigg, to the Maple Avenue United Methodist Church on Saturday.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. Refreshments and activities at the center will follow the parade. The center will officially open Monday.

The Homework and Literacy Center will focus on serving preschoolers attending Head Start programs, students at Jefferson and May Greene schools, as well as middle school and high school students who live in the immediate area.

The $28,000 grant was made available through the Library Services and Construction Act, a federal grant program administered through the Missouri State Library.

Funds will be used to purchase library materials, furniture and equipment for the center.