LIBRARY OPENS HOUSE TO SHOW OFF RENOVATIONS

The soothing sounds of trickling water fountains, lush plants and upholstered armchairs are part of a new look for the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

But despite its newly refurbished interior and freshly-painted walls, the library is still in the business of providing information for its patrons and the community, said Director Betty Martin.

An open house is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday so that patrons can see the newly-remodeled building and discover what services are available. The open house is hosted by the Cape Girardeau Public Library Trustees, Friends of the Library and the Foundation Board.

Martin would like to think the library "is the information hub of the community," she said.

In the past, print resources and books were the primary focus of libraries. But now that information comes through computers, videos and the Internet. "Even with the electronic information there will always be print," Martin said. "People like to hold a book and feel the pages."

The public library opened in 1980 at its North Clark address and the remodeling last fall was its first major overhaul effort. Much of the building gets heavy use, with restrooms, meeting rooms and a periodicals room open to the public, Martin said.

So when money was available for some room renovations, the project quickly grew into a building-wide remodeling. The library was closed for several weeks during that time and patrons have been quick to comment on the new look, she said.

New baby-changing stations were added in the restrooms. The public meeting room has new closets, a kitchenette and better lighting. It is one of the most-reserved meeting rooms in the city because it is open free of charge to nonprofit groups, Martin said.

But the biggest change is probably in the periodicals room that has now been renamed for a regular library patron. The room was named in honor of George and Dorothy Penzel. Their family donated to the library foundation after their deaths and helped fund the remodeling work. Mr. and Mrs. Cord Dombroski also donated to the renovation project.

"People have just gravitated to the room" now that it has been revamped, Martin said. A leather sofa, armchairs, a table and lamps create a "living room atmosphere where people are comfortable and read."

Some patrons come daily, like George Penzel did, to meet friends, read newspapers from around the state and country. Others use the library's resources to track investments and travel the world via cyberspace.

The library is holding its own as a typical library in America, Martin said. What Cape Girardeau patrons are reading or requesting is pretty typical of other libraries, she added.

Patrons can check out books, audiotapes, books on CD, videos and equipment. You can use the Internet for research or ask for information via an interlibrary loan. Those services are available to anyone who asks, so that all people have free access to information, Martin said.

She expects to soon add a telelink service for patrons who want to search the computerized card catalog database from home and reserve book titles. DVDs are probably also going to be a new addition to the library's collection, she said.

While people perceive the public library as being free, it isn't truly.

Money to fund the library budget is collected from a tax paid by property owners in the municipal library district. The district boundaries were set by the state legislature and do not include all parts of the city.

Some of the reason for that is because the city has annexed portions of land that were previously part of the Riverside Regional Library district. And any changes to the district boundaries would require a new law from the state, Martin said.

The tax revenue helps fund salaries for library employees, utility payments, and purchase new equipment.

Library boundaries is a confusing issue, but library staff can answer any questions. Any person who wishes to receive a library card can bring proof of residence and a photo ID to the library. If you live outside the library district and still want a card, there is a $24 fee.

But that fee would be about the same amount you might spend on a new book at the bookstore or on several video rentals, Martin said. "We're still the best bargain going," she said.