SITTING IN THE COMFORT ZONE

Nikki Clark relaxed on beanbags while reading "The Grouchy Ladybug" at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center.

Austin Riley read a book in the library of the Civic Center.

The Cape Girardeau Public Library's Rolling Readers outreach program builds youth literacy by providing a comfortable place to read close to home.

Athisha Robinson, 8, isn't an avid reader, but she likes "Ms. Donna and the bean bag chairs" in Ms. Donna's library.

"Ms. Donna" is actually Donna Wigfall, the librarian from the Cape Girardeau Public Library assigned to supervise the Rolling Readers outreach center at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center. The center is a cooperative project between the library and Civic Center to build youth literacy.

"It's comfortable, and you can lay in the bean bags and look out the window," said Robinson, who likes to read Calvin & Hobbs books.

Robinson, who occasionally visits the school library and main public library, said she likes the Rolling Readers program best because Wigfall is much more than a librarian. "She's like a teacher or mother or something because she disciplines you when you do wrong," said Robinson.

Wigfall thinks the program has helped children to read who might not otherwise have much contact with books or libraries. She routinely surveys students from the Civic Center's After School Study tutoring program to make sure the shelves are stocked with books the children want to read.

"We wanted kids on this side of town to have access to library resources," said Wigfall. "We want them to enjoy reading and learn what the library has to offer them."

The program has moved several times because it wasn't able to draw enough users, she said. However, the inclusion of the library with the Civic Center's tutorial program has been good for both programs.

"The tutoring program allows much access because part of the daily activities is coming to the library and reading a book," she said. "The joint venture is really helpful."

Charles Jones, 13, said he appreciates Wigfall because she keeps the shelves stocked with his favorite books, which include the popular Goose Bumps series and anything by author Gary Paulsen. However, having access to computer games is another good reason to be there, he said.

"After I get through with my homework and playing basketball, I like to come in here," said Jones. "I don't read very much, but Ms. Donna just says read it, so I do. Then she lets me play on the computer."

Wigfall said many of the computer games are underused because they were created for younger users. Efforts are under way to secure donations to update the computer system for older children and teen-aged users.

In the meantime, Wigfall said she'll continue to work with what she has to help the children improve their reading skills and access library resources. "I just want them to like being here," she said.