Cape Library a destination

Did you know?

Cape Girardeau's public library has 100,000 books.

Cape's library is the first in Missouri to have an automated check-in and sorting system.

They say you can't tell a book by its cover.

The same could be said of libraries. The Cape Girardeau Public Library may have returned to its familiar location at 711 N. Clark Ave., but anyone who thinks the newly-remodeled library is just the old one with a facelift might be surprised when they enter the building.

"The new Cape Girardeau Public Library is a destination library for all ages," said director Betty Martin. "It's for all ages, whether it's a child having his first group experience at story time, a teen doing homework, a businessman researching a company, an adult researching home improvement, or a senior citizen connecting with family through e-mail."

Of course, the Cape Girardeau Public Library has books -- 100,000 of them, in fact. And it has the audio books, magazines, CDs and DVDs that you would expect for a library in a city the size of Cape Girardeau.

But it also possesses many features some may not expect: 40 public Internet access computers, Wi-Fi throughout the building, three small group study/tutoring rooms, three public meeting spaces available for use by not-for-profit organizations at no-charge and monthly free programs for adults and youths. And what does it take to access these resources and services?

"One only needs a library card to check items out," Martin said. "Anyone may visit the library, no matter where he or she lives."

The old process of waiting in line to check out materials has given way to an automated check out system that is popular with visitors to the library's new home.

"Over half of the check outs in December 2009 happened at the self-check stations," Martin said. In addition, this is the first library in Missouri to have an automated check-in and sorting system. Another technological advance that has been a hit with customers is the library's subscriptions to online databases that allow people to research car repairs, learn a foreign language, practice taking a standardized test or prepare for a new job.

While the Cape Girardeau Public Library staff loves to talk about what's inside the building, they're also proud of their new facility from an aesthetic and architectural standpoint.

The facility was one of several highlighted in the December 2009 architectural issue of the Library Journal. SirsiDynix, a library software company that has more than 23,000 libraries as clients in 70 countries, has featured the Cape Girardeau library in the company's 2010 promotional calendar, giving the new Cape Girardeau Public Library building global exposure.

Martin said that plans for 2010 including a redesign of the library's website, formulation of a three-year long-range plan and an education campaign to familiarize as many citizens as possible with the new library facility.