LIBRARY OFFERS AFTER-SCHOOL TEEN CENTER FOR AREA YOUTH

When Tasha Saecker saw teen-agers in the Cape Girardeau Public Library looking for something to do, she was compelled to help.

If there is a library section for children and adults, reasoned Saecker, surely there could be a room just for teen-agers.

Saecker, who is the coordinator for youth services at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, found out there were others with grant money who felt the same way.

Through a $4,700 grant from the Library Services and Construction Act, Saecker has developed a new Teen Center at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. The center will open Sept. 17.

"There are a lot of latchkey children who seem to be looking for something to do after they've finished their homework and are waiting for someone to pick them up," Saecker said. "Hopefully this will take care of that."

The center will be open from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the Hirsch Community Room. "Teen-agers need a separate room where they won't be bothered by other people," said Saeker. "Part of the grant money will be used for forms the teen-agers can fill out to tell us what they would like to do."

The Teen Center will offer a computer with games, board games, role-playing games, paperback novels and will be a place where teen-agers can go and talk. "We want the teen-agers to tell us what kinds of books and computer games they want to get involved with," she said.

Asked how many teen-agers she hoped to help, Saecker replied, "As many as we can legally fit in the room."

Visitors, teens, and parents are encouraged to stop by and see the new facility. They can play some of the games and just enjoy themselves.

Saecker also has developed Fall Storyhours at the Cape Girardeau Public Library for 2-year-olds and children, ages 3 to 5. This program will begin on Sept. 19 and run through the holidays.

There will be three sessions offered for 3- to 5-year-old children. One session will run at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The other sessions will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A Toddler Time for 2-year-olds also will be offered at 10 a.m. on Monday.

"Some of the stories will deal with Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas and other topics like dinosaurs or dragons," said Saecker.

Anyone interested in these sessions may call the Youth Services Department at 334-5279 to register.