RIVERSIDE LIBRARY TO MARK ANNIVERSARY

JACKSON -- Riverside Regional Library will host a 40th anniversary celebration from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the library's main center, 204 S. Union St.

Today's Cash-Book Journal reports the theme of the celebration will be "From Bookmobile to Information Superhighway."

Administrative director Geoffrey Roth said the library began in 1955 after elections in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott Counties provided funding.

The first library was in the Cape County Courthouse but quickly moved to a building on Highway 61. Also in 1955, the library district purchased a bookmobile to stop at rural schools and other areas. The bookmobile service ended in 1973.

Riverside Regional grew to include centers in Altenburg, Benton, Scott City, Oran and Perryville. All locations have telephone devices for the deaf and fax machines.

The newest addition at the Jackson location is Show Me Net, a service that will allow patrons to access the InterNet. Visitors to the 40th anniversary may watch demonstrations of the computer tool.

Other features of Sunday's celebration will be speeches at 2:15 p.m. by State Librarian Sara Park, Riverside Regional Board President Roland Sander and Roth. At 3:15 p.m., author Helen Trimble will present a program, and at 3:45 p.m., poet Betty Dickerson will present a program.

Visitors may view a collection of Riverside Regional Library photos from the past 40 years.