NEW CAPE GIRARDEAU LIBRARIAN WILL BEGIN HER DUTIES THURSDAY

Elizabeth R. Ader will begin her duties as new director at the Cape Girardeau Public Library Thursday.

Ader, who comes to Cape Girardeau from Lee's Summit, is filling a vacancy that was created in June when Terry Risko left the director's position.

"I've moved into town and am looking forward to my new position at the library," said Ader Monday. "I'm very excited about being here. I feel this a wonderful opportunity for me."

Ader, who previously served as head of access services at Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, says she is looking forward to working in a public library.

"I have no qualms about making the switch from a university library," she said. "The same service ethics are utilized. There will be some differences in duties, but I look forward to the change."

A library search committee, which included the nine members of the library board of trustees, voted to hire Ader in early January following a six-month search.

Janet Ruopp, board of trustees president, announced Jan. 12 that Ader had accepted the position at a salary of $40,000 annually.

"Ader has a lot to offer," said Ruopp. "She has experience in both academic and public libraries. She will be a good match for the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

The committee selected Ader, who has more than 20 years experience in library service, including three years as library assistant at the Kansas City Public Library, over four finalists. More than 40 applications were screened for the position.

Ader completed work for her master's degree at the University of Missouri School of Library and Informational Science in 1986. She has been involved in library work since her graduation from Park College at Parkville, Mo., in 1965.

Ader has worked at Miller Nichols Library for the past 10 years.

"I have worked at a public library, a community college library, and a university library," she said. "My work at the UMKC facility has provided me with many opportunities for planning, developing people skills and providing vision and direction for access services. I have revised the structure of the department and designed new jobs to meet new demands."

Ader was involved in selecting the UMKC library's computer hardware and equipment needed for automation of the circulation system, and she has helped train personnel in implementing the system.

"I have had a successful record in a challenging job at UMKC," she said. "I think my experience and energy will be a good match at Cape Girardeau. I'm committed to offering the best possible service to people in the community and in the library," Ader commented.

Ader is a member of the American Library Association. She is also affiliated with the Academic Library Statistics Committee.

She is co-author, with Julie Pinnell, of an academic handbook, "Security and Safety of People in the Urban University Library."