HOMEWORK CENTER A BIG HIT WITH KIDS

Even when there are no children to be found within the tiny Homework and Literacy Center, their presence can be felt.

Little tables and chairs in which only the smallest library patrons could fit, bookshelves that are eye-level for people of smaller stature, a chalkboard and colorful posters give the center an air of youth.

The Cape Girardeau Public Library opened the Homework and Literacy Center Oct. 18, in the rear of the Maple Avenue United Methodist Church at 624 S. Ellis.

"We wanted to have a place where children who live in this area could come after school to study, read a book or check out video and audio tapes," said Tasha Saecker, coordinator of youth services and project director of the homework center. "Everything you see here was designed specifically for the children."

The center, made possible through a $28,000 grant from the Library Services and Construction Act administered through the Missouri State Library, focuses on serving preschoolers attending Head Start programs and students at Jefferson and May Greene schools. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m.-noon and 3-6 p.m.

"We have about 125 kids in here a week -- 20 to 30 children every evening," said Saecker. "When we first opened, parents came in with their kids to check the place out; now, the kids just come in on their own and tell their friends about it. This is their library."

Volumes on the shelves include those written by J.R.R. Tolkien, Judy Blume and C.S. Lewis, as well as reference books for young students. The homework center also has a collection of picture books for the youngest library visitors and a computer to keep them busy for hours.

When young people visit the center, they are not expected to be silent, as is often the rule in public libraries.

"We want this to be an inviting place for children to be; not a place where they feel they can't be themselves and can't have fun," said Saecker. "If someone is trying to do homework, we try to keep the noise at a minimum, but most of the time the kids are free to do as they please."

Two volunteers staff the center during the day and evening, checking out books and tapes to young people and helping children with homework they do not understand.

"When we were about to open the center, we visited all the classrooms in May Greene and Jefferson schools, telling the children we were here and could be used as a resource center for school work," said Saecker. "That is something we will continue to do."

Book-borrowing is explained to each newcomer, Saecker said.

"They catch on real quick," said Saecker. "Most children bring the books back the next day, even though they can keep them for two weeks. They are really anxious to come and get another book or another tape."

Everything in the center was purchased new with the grant money.

"We made a point of bringing new things to this center," Saecker said. "We didn't want the children to feel like they were getting cast-offs from the main library. The kids really liked that."

In addition to school children, at least one Head Start class visits the center every week -- mostly for story hour. Saecker selects a book from the shelves and read to groups of very attentive children.

"They love being read to; they are very good listeners," said Saecker.

"This is really working out as well if not better than we planned," Saecker said. "We are just thrilled that so many children are visiting so frequently."

The center is closed for Christmas break and will reopen Jan. 3.