CAPE PUBLIC LIBRARY AWARDED FEDERAL GRANT

The Cape Girardeau Public library will be purchasing new computers for public access to the Internet and a CD rom server with a new grant.

The library was awarded a $12,657 grant from the Missouri State Library to purchase computer equipment. Money will also be used to buy a new computer for the reference staff to improve the quality and speed of information services.

"Over the past four years our public access Internet terminals have become very popular," said Betty Martin, library director. "Federal grants such as these enable the library to keep up with the technology needs for our patrons."

In December, 780 made use of this library service.

The library was one of 54 public libraries in the state awarded a federal Library Services and Technology Act Basic Equipment grant this winter. The grant program promotes access to learning and information resources at all types of libraries.

It has two funding priorities, technology for sharing information between libraries and from libraries to other community services and also to make library resources accessible to urban or rural residents who have difficulty using library services.