SCOTT CITY LIBRARY MAY MOVE ACROSS TOWN AFTER APRIL 30

SCOTT CITY -- When the lease on the building currently occupied by the Scott City Library expires on April 30, the books and the librarian may be moved across town.

The library, currently housed in a building on Second Street East in Scott City, may be moved to the Tupperware Home Parties Building, at 2106 Main St.

The library is one of many in a three-county public library system and is supported by real estate taxes from Scott County.

"We're looking for what's best for not only residents of Scott City, but also the residents of North Scott County," said Frank Siebert, city attorney for Scott City and member of the Scott County library board. "We are looking for a larger space and a building that is accessible to the handicapped."

But Scott City Ward 4 Councilman Terry Johnston is opposed to moving the library.

"Everything is moving away from old Illmo," Johnston said at Monday's meeting of the council. "I've lived in that area all my life and I tell you, it's dying."

Johnston believes that if the library is moved, several older residents of Illmo will be denied access to the library.

"Many of the older people just walk down there during the day to read newspapers," said Johnston. "Are they going to want to drive to the library if it moves? I don't think so."

Also during Monday's council meeting, Ward 1 Councilwoman Ladonna Phelps commented that her children have to travel to Kent Library in Cape Girardeau to do necessary research outside school.

"There's just not the kind of materials available at our local library that the kids need these days," said Phelps. "It's not right that parents have to drive their children to Cape so they can do research they should be able to do near home."

The library board has several changes in mind for the Scott City library.

"First we're looking for more space," said Siebert. "We also want to extend the operating hours of the library, expand resource material so high school kids can use the library when the school library is closed and we would like to have a community meeting room in the new facility.

"Having a library which is more centrally located and easier to access for residents of Kelso, Commerce and other outlying areas is a priority," he said.

One of the greatest concerns about the present facility is the lack of parking around the building. Currently, there is only street parking available around the library. If the library were moved to the Tupperware store, there is a parking lot in front and one to the side of the building.

"Everything is still in the planning stages," said Siebert. "We just want to do what's right. It's a hard decision we face."