Celebrating a century: Cape Girardeau Public Library

May 9, 2022

Cape Girardeau Public Library is observing 100 years of operation. This gallery contains Southeast Missourian photographs taken through the years. To purchase reprints, contact either Renda Eggimann or Sharon Sanders at 573-388-3620.

Cape Girardeau's Carnegie Library, undated.

Published Jan. 24, 1980. Pat Christian, children's librarian, reads a story to 5-year-old pre-kindergarten pupils from Montessori School.

June 1980. The first books are placed on the shelves at the new Cape Girardeau Public Library on Clark Avenue. Left to right are Mildred Vogelsang, retired librarian at Cape Girardeau Central High School; Martha Maxwell, administrative librarian at the Cape Girardeau Public Library; Dr. H.O. Grauel, former library board member, and Nancy Stiegemeyer, current board member.

Published Feb. 15, 1987. The Cape Girardeau Public Library offers a wide range of services for both youngsters and adults. Here, Mike McFadden, a Southeast Missouri State University student from Cape Girardeau, studies at the library...

Published March 1, 1987. Three veterans of the Army Air Corps' 14th Air Force look over a copy of a new book, "Flight in the China Air Space, 1910-1950," which recalls the history of aviation in China from 1910-1950. The book was donated to the Cape Girardeau Public Library by former aviators, left to right, Dr. James A. Kinder, George Dunn and Judge Edwin Ragland on behalf of the 14h Air Force Association. Here, the three men discuss the book with librarian Martha Maxwell.

Published May 31, 1987. The Cape Girardeau Public Library has a special reading program scheduled which encourages kids like Nicole Friedrich, 10, and Shannon Friedrich, 8, to read and have fun during vacation.

Published Nov. 13, 1987. Kimberly Primm, circulation clerk, helps Ben Keefe check out books at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. While Ben already has a library card, the library is sponsoring a contest to sign up more school-aged children for cards.

Published June 12, 1988. Julie Stoverink takes a close look at her book at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Published June 12, 1988. Phyllis Sanders, children's department supervisor at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, reads to children about trains during story time. Children are encouraged to continue reading throughout the summer to retain what they learned during the previous year of school and for enjoyment.

Published Aug. 13, 1989. Children and their parents released balloons Saturday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library in celebration of the library's 75th anniversary. Names and addresses of the children were attached to the balloons in the hope that some would be found and the children contacted.

Published Aug. 17, 1989. The Cape Girardeau Pubic Library is preparing to computerize its checkout system. The target date for the system to to on line is Sept. 11. About three-fourths of the library's 100,000 holdings is now bar-coded. Here, Tamara Clark, left, children's circulation clerk, and Phyllis Jackson, administrative assistant, practice checking out a book on the new system.

Cape Girardeau's Carnegie Library, circa 1950s.

Published Sept. 11, 1989. The Cape Girardeau Public Library held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for their new computer system "Clyde." The computer went on line today and will assist in cataloging books as well as keeping library user records. Here, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink learns how to use the computer with some help from Library Director Martha Maxwell.

October 1992. (Newcomers section) Cape Girardeau Public Library on Clark Avenue.

Circa 1992. Cape Girardeau Public Library on Clark Avenue.

Cape Girardeau's Carnegie Library after the annex was constructed in 1959.

Published Nov. 16, 1962. Mrs. Freeman Lewis of Cape Girardeau, is one of Cape Girardeau Public Library's patrons who makes frequent use of the art prints collection, a new service this year. Here, with librarian Gene Martin, she is making a selection for her home. Although she is looking at Vlaminck's "The Barn," she decided on a painting by Van Gogh as her current choice. Like many other patrons, Mrs. Lewis is delighted with the art print lending service.

Published June 27, 1971. Research space is at a premium at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. A new library is the goal for library officials.

March 1, 1975. Mrs. Michael Pierce, assistant children's librarian at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, shows "Quacky" the duck to Tonya and Tami Ervin, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John Ervin of Cape Girardeau. Puppets are used for library programs and may be checked out by the children.

Published April 7, 1978. Laura Hecht, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey E. Hecht of Cape Girardeau, submits her bookmark to children's librarian Pat Christian. As part of National Library Week, the Cape Girardeau Public Library sponsored a bookmark contest for preschool children through sixth grade.

Published May 20, 1979. (Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce tab) Cape Girardeau Public Library in Courthouse Park.

Oct. 26, 1979. Construction was underway on the new Cape Girardeau Public Library on Clark Avenue.

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