LIBRARY'S TEEN CENTER WILL MAKE DEBUT TODAY

The new Teen Center of the Cape Girardeau Public Library will be unveiled today.

Opening hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Teen Center will offer a computer with games, board games, role-playing games and paperback novels.

Teen-agers will be able to relax while listening to music or visiting with one another.

After Saturday's grand opening, the center will be open from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the Hirsch Community Room.

"Teen-agers need a separate room where they won't be bothered by other people," said Tasha Saecker, the library's coordinator of youth services.

Saecker hopes the center will appeal to those teen-agers who may have to wait for someone to pick them up.

The center is partially funded with a $4,700 federal grant. Part of the money will be used to survey teen-agers on what activities, books and computer games they want for the center.

Visitors, teens, and parents are encouraged to visit the new teen center, especially during Saturday's grand opening. After that, only the teens will be able to enjoy some of the planned attractions.

The library will also begin another new program this week.

Baby Bags, designed for parents who have newborns to children age two, will begin Monday.

Parents may visit the library, pick up bags filled with books and videos on parenting, and get developmental toys and cloth books for their youngsters.

The supplies for the program are funded through a federal grant of almost $5,000.

Toddler Time and the Fall Story Hour for kids are two more programs that will begin Monday.

Toddler Time for kids 18 months to age 3 will run on Mondays at 10 a.m. through Dec. 12.

The Story Hour for children age 3 to 5 will be Monday evenings at 6:30 and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. through Dec. 14.

The library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the programs, call 314-334-5279.