Without libraries, what have we? We have no past and no future.
-Ray Bradbury

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the expansion and building of our beautiful new library took place Monday morning, November 5, 2007.  More than 70 supporters gathered to witness this great moment in Cape Girardeau Public Library’s history.

Board of Trustees President, Sheryl Smith welcomed supporters.

Mayor Jay Knudtson makes remarks on the positive community impact of a new library.

The Reverend Mark Martin blesses the new project.

Library Director, Betty Martin gives the history of Cape Girardeau’s Library and tells a beautiful story of what the library will be in the future.

Supporters gather to listen to Martin speak.

Friends of the Library President, Carolyn Ford Bock recognizes contributors and donors to the success of the new expansion.

Jim Hirsch commemorates his parents with a donation to the library for a new community room.

Pictured from left to right:  Sheryl Smith-President of the Board of Trustees, Amee Boettcher-Library Construction Liaison, Tom Keifner-General Contractor, Mayor Jay Knudtson, Betty Martin-Library Director, Carolyn Ford Bock-Friends of the Library Foundation Board President, Jim Hirsch-donor, Margie Hirsch Deimund-donor, Senator Jason Crowell, Harold Hager-Building Committee Chair, Nick Bira-representative of our community’s youth & Doug Leslie-City Manager.

Pictured from left to right:  Praxair Representative, Ann Bira- Board member, Sarah Nussbaum, Board member, Eric Bohl-Board member, Betty Henson, Friends Foundation Board member, Joan Slaughter-Board member, Esther Hartman-Vice-President of the Board of Trustees, Viney Mosley-LibrarYes! campaign chair, Marge Baverle-Friends Foundation Board member, Ann Waggoner-Evening Optomist member & Dennis Vanasche-Evening Optomist member.

Pictured from left to right:  Debbie Carlton-spouse of Board member, Jean Martin-Library Circulation, Stephanie Weidenbenner-Library Circulation, Matt Hopkins-City Council member, Betty Martin-Library Director, Reverend Mark Martin, Linda Ayers Bailiff-Library Administrative Assistant, Marilyn Hutchings-Library Information, Barbara Campbell-Library Cirulation & Mia Cook-Library Youth Services.

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Vice-President of Community Development packs up the groundbreaking shovels.

We have received an updated design composite depicting the interior views of the new library as well as aerial and angular views of the exterior.
You can view the full size image by clicking the photo below. When the page loads, simply click the image to increase and decrease the size.

As always, we welcome and appreciate any questions or comments that you may have. We will read and respond!

Below is a video demonstration of the new building design.

(originally posted 12.19.2006)

Share your opinion. Click on the Questions and Comments title above to let us know what you think.

(originally posted 10.19.2006)

Cape Girardeau Public Library
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do we need to upgrade the existing library?
We are busy, but crowded! And we are behind the times in terms of equipment and facility in comparison to America’s new libraries and in terms of the services that Cape citizens are demanding.

2. Why do we need more space?
The library has one meeting room/space. That room was booked 469 times in 2005 by 52 different organizations. At least once a week, a non-profit organization seeking to use the room is turned away because the room is booked. In addition, during the school year, library tables are occupied by at least 2 tutoring pairs each day. (There are no private spaces for tutoring.) Students seeking to work on group projects must do so on one of the 2 tables available in the youth area. Library users seeking quiet places to read or study, or to visit with friends are at a loss. Modern day libraries must address the needs for free community meeting and tutoring spaces.

3. What will the expanded library be able to offer?
Highlights
The Library building program addresses the future space needs of Cape Girardeau Public Library, a community destination place for reading and library resources as well as an exciting place for learning experiences and activities that enrich the lives of all in the community. The plan is for a 39,000 square foot building including the remodeling of the present building.

Some of the plans will bring the library into the 21^st century, improve the quality of life of our citizens and be a comfortable place for life long learning.

· A Destination Library with multiple copies of best sellers and high demand AV materials in an area that is designed to look and feel like a bookstore.

· A Children’s Area where the emphasis is “Every Child Ready to Read.” This is a cheerful, open space with three distinct areas that address the interests of reading levels of various age groups:

Play and Learn is a place designed for the youngest child with picture books and developmentally appropriate toys and materials. This area supports the interaction between children and their parents/caregivers.

Early School Age addresses the needs of children, Kindergarten to Third grade. The area supports the joys of reading, improving reading skills, and materials to meet the interests of this age group.

Older Children’s collection addresses the needs of children, ages seven through twelve. The area strives to keep children engaged with books and support independent learning.

In addition the Children’s Area supports a parent/caregiver collection and program room with a capacity of 75 children and/or adults. A young child’s rest room will be in proximity of this area.

· A Coffee Bar where library customers can enjoy a beverage or snack in a comfortable setting for reading, socializing or computer access.

· A Teen Area designed to support personal interest, popular reading materials, and homework assignments. The teen area would be designed to meet the tastes and styles of the teenagers.

· “Living Room” areas with comfortable seating arrangements scattered throughout the library.

· Self Service and customer convenience
- Reserves at a self-pickup shelf
- Self-check out of library materials
- A drive-up window to retrieve requested items during open hours
- 24/7 access to the drive-up book return

· High Speed Internet and Wireless Access throughout the building
- Over 40 computer stations with access to the Internet, the library’s catalog and databases, and software for word processing and spreadsheets.
- Customers can use laptops or other personal devices with wireless cards or plug into ports scattered throughout the library.
- A computer training lab with 15 computers. Staff would present classes for the community. When not in use for training, the computers would be available for use by the public.

· Meeting Rooms for community groups and organizations with wireless access and kitchen facilities.
- A large meeting room accommodating 200 people or divided for smaller groups, with state-of –the art technology.
- A small group conference room for 16 people
- Three quiet study rooms for individuals, small groups and literacy tutors.

The recommendations in this summary are derived from staff interviews, meetings and interviews with key community groups and individuals, focus groups of library users and an analysis consultant.

The library is a bus stop for the city transportation and school buses.

4. Who participated in the planning of the project?
In 2004, the Library Board of Trustees hired Library Building Consultant Bob Smith of Medina, Ohio to research the need for an expanded facility. He spent four months collecting data, held three focus groups consisting of more than 42 local citizens, and interviewed community leaders and library staff members. The result was a multi-paged document with recommendations for an expanded and improved library.

5. How much will it cost?
The total estimated project cost is $8,872,483 and will be paid for over 20 years. The total project cost equates to $220 per square foot. That includes construction of the addition, renovation of the current facility, furniture, equipment, parking lot, architectural fees and allowances for contingencies and escalation costs.

6. How will it be paid for?
- Library Reserves: $300,000
- Friends Foundation: $100,000
- Friends Building Fund: $ 45,500 (to date)
- The Friends Foundation will seek private donations and offer naming opportunities for a variety of areas in the new facility.
-The Library Board hired a part-time grant writer who is presently researching and applying for various grants.
-There will be a tax increase proposition (the first in 40 years) on the February 6, 2007 ballot asking for a $.15 increase which would roll back after 20 years to an increase of $.02 to maintain the building.

7. How was the projected construction cost determined?
In November of 2005, the Library Board of Directors hired the Clark Enersen Architectural firm to work on preliminary drawings that incorporate all the assessed needs. The cost was determined by construction estimates quoted by local construction companies and past library building experience of the architectural firm.

8. Who can use the Cape Girardeau Public Library?
Anyone may use the library materials in the library. A library card is only necessary to check out materials.

9. Who can borrow library materials?
Anyone who has a library card may borrow library materials. However, there is a library card fee for anyone residing outside of the Cape library district boundaries that were frozen in 1965. Residents within the district pay taxes to the Cape Girardeau Public Library which qualifies them for a library card. Anyone who resides outside of the library district (and in some cases inside the city limits of Cape Girardeau) may purchase a library card for a nominal fee of $36.00 per household per year. Only those patrons who live in the Cape Girardeau Public Library District pay taxes to the Cape Library. Library users who live inside the city limits but outside the Cape Library district boundaries, pay a library tax to the county library, Riverside Regional. The library district boundaries were frozen by the Missouri State Legislature in 1965 to protect the regional library system’s revenue so that the rural residents of the State of Missouri could have access to quality libraries in their communities.

10. How busy is the library?
· Library staff check out over 700 items a day;
· Computer usage has grown to 80 users per day on only 16 computers;
· The Library’s one meeting room was used 469 times by 52 different organizations in 2005.
· 10,566 children attended 243 programs in 2005.

(originally posted 10.19.2006)