Little Free Libraries popping up in Cape

If you've been looking for something to do with books collecting dust on your shelves, look no further.

Little Free Library sites are popping up all over Cape Girardeau. Over the past few weeks these boxes filled with books that are free for the taking have been dedicated along Frederick Street between William and Good Hope streets as well as outside the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Books borrowed from the boxes can be kept or returned without any concern of late fees.

The group Authentic Voices dedicated the box along Frederick Street recently. It's located near St. Mary's School and a metal bench has been installed right next to the box to encourage library-goers to sit down and read right there.

There's also a box inside John's Pharmacy along Independence Street. And plans are in the works between Authentic Voices and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Missouri for another in the future.

"The end result will be to get more books into the hands of children who might not have a library card," Carol Childers, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Missouri, said.

Anyone interested in donating to the police department's box can call Lt. Brad Smith at (573) 335-6621 ext. 1148. Those wanting to donate to the box near St. Mary's can contact Melissa Stickel at (417) 793-1935 or stickelm@gibsonrecovery.org.