Riverside, Sikeston libraries renew contract

Last week, the Riverside Regional Library District and the Sikeston Public Library renewed a contract allowing residents who live in Miner and southern Scott County to continue using the Sikeston Public Library.

Riverside pays the Sikeston Public Library a percentage of the taxes collected in the southern part of Scott County, between $15,000 and $16,000 a year, to provide library service to Riverside's patrons who live in the southern part of the county.

But an amendment to the contract allows Riverside to end the agreement if it opens a new branch in the county's southern region. Riverside is exploring whether a new branch in Miner would provide better service to the people in the southern part of the county who are paying Riverside taxes.

Nancy Howland, director of the Riverside Regional Library District, wants to know how many people from Miner and southern Scott County use the Sikeston Public Library each year.

Sue Tangeman, director of the Sikeston Public Library, said she does not have the yearly figures. She does know there are 1,080 people in the disputed area who hold a Sikeston Public Library card.

"At this point the only place that they can go for library service 58 hours a week is to this library," said Tangeman.

If Riverside decides to open a new branch or comes up with another alternative, it does not have to wait for the contract to expire in 2007. The district can exit the contract with 30 days' written notice.

-- Aurora Meyer