SEBOLDT STRESSES READING; LIBRARIAN: BOOKS IMPORTANT TO KIDS

JACKSON -- As a reading teacher for grades kindergarten through third, Mildred Seboldt became interested in library work because she realized just how important books are in the lives of children.

"It was just a natural stepping stone to a librarian's work," said Seboldt, who has been at Riverside Regional Library for 20 years and has served four years as administrative director.

Seboldt said she has never regretted her decision to leave teaching to become a librarian because it provides an opportunity for "exposing people to what's out there for their enjoyment and education."

"One of the nicest things about it is people don't always realize what the library has for them, and you get a chance to introduce them to all the services we offer."

Riverside Regional Library has a wide variety of materials in different forms to offer patrons. The best part about her job, Seboldt said, is "meeting the people and finding things that are needed by them or finding things you have a feeling they will enjoy. You have a chance to introduce new things to their lives."

Improved technology has brought great changes to libraries like Riverside. When she first started, Seboldt said the job "used to be checking books in and out, and we had a large variety of films and film strips in our audio visual department."

But in recent years the films and film strips have been replaced by tapes, although book checkouts are still the major part of Riverside's business.

"I think we are seeing that people are beginning to rely on the library more for personal materials because finances don't always allow for buying some printed materials," she explained. "Using the library is a way to save money.

"Another thing is more is being required from students now in the way of research papers and things in school than when I first began. The expectations of teachers is greater than many years ago. Students need other types of reference material than just encyclopedias."

Riverside has not yet computerized its general circulation of books, but has computerized the audio-visual department and is now in the process of putting bookkeeping and inter-library loans on computer.

Despite the trend toward computerization in libraries, Seboldt said people who use the library still need a certain amount of assistance.

She said one of the most difficult parts about her job, from the administrative perspective, is being able to make dollars stretch to purchase all the materials that are needed and to extend services.

"There are really no drawbacks to this job other than not enough funding, but that's just a fact of life," said Seboldt.

"The ultimate impact of that is that you have to delay some of the things in computerization or cut back on books, audio tape and video purchases."

There are always ongoing costs like rent and utilities and a need for additional staff. Seboldt said so far Riverside has not had to cut staff. "Actually, we could use more staff, but everyone does the utmost to get the job done here," she said.

"We just can't reach out to new services like we want to. We have to do it inch by inch rather than by major jumps."

Seboldt said she is concerned that funding problems will result in some parts of the library's collection going out of date. Decisions on what to purchase have to be made very carefully.

"We like to say libraries are free, but there does need to be some funding method to carry on," she said.

Library services at Riverside are free even for people who do not live in the library's district. The central headquarters is in Jackson; however, there are branch offices in Perryville, Altenburg, Scott City, Benton, Morley, and Oran.

"Our library is open to anyone who walks through the door," said Seboldt.

She said she sees a bright future for libraries, although with limited resources she anticipates greater cooperation between schools and libraries in the future.

"I see it remaining a really vital part of people's lives because of the difficulties people have purchasing materials now," said Seboldt. "Schools have difficulty providing all research materials they need because of limited budgets. We just have to work together."