General News
Join Big Oak Tree State Park at the library as we learn about silly courtship behaviors that animals here in Missouri take part in. We will make animal-themed Valentines to share with our loved ones.
This program is appropriate for all ages, and all materials will be provided.
The AAPR Tax Aide program will be providing tax preparation assistance at the library from 8:30-11:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings, beginning on Thursday, February 2. Please note the time change from afternoons to mornings!
Volunteers can prepare simple federal and state tax returns, along with the MO-PTC (Property Tax Credit) form for the state of Missouri. They plan to return to the pre-Covid procedures where tax forms are taken and filed on the same day, eliminating the need for a return visit.
Please bring all documents with you when you arrive for assistance. An initial intake form will be required, and no tax forms will be prepared until the intake form is completed.
No appointments will be taken; assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis within the timeframe available each day.
The Sikeston Public Library has an opening for a full-time circulation clerk (35-36 hours per week).
Duties of the position include performing work at the circulation desk, assisting library users with locating materials, maintain accurate patron records, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications for the position include strong, demonstrated computer skills; the ability to interact with library users over the telephone and face-to-face; customer service experience; and the ability to stand, walk, and lift throughout the day with reasonable accommodation. A high school diploma or the equivalent is required with some college hours preferred.
The ability to work one night per week and one weekend per month is required.
Please apply in person during normal business hours.
The Sikeston Public Library is an equal opportunity employer
After reviewing usage patterns and budget needs, the Board of Trustees of the Sikeston Public Library has voted to eliminate Sunday hours of operation at the library.
“Traditionally, we have been closed on Sundays during the summer months then resume Sunday hours after Labor Day weekend,” said Ron Eifert, director of the Sikeston Public Library. “However, the library’s Board of Trustees voted in May to eliminate Sunday hours of operations as a reaction to changing usage patterns and as a cost-saving measure.”
The board reached its decision after reviewing six months of data compiled by Eifert and the library staff. The data showed that usage patterns of the library have changed. “Ten years ago, we were almost the only source for public internet in Sikeston,” he said. “The board was dedicated to keeping the library open on Sundays for students to use for last-minute homework assignments.” Between the growth of internet in homes, public wireless access, and the availability of one-to-one devices through the public schools, student use of computers has dwindled to almost no usage at all, he said.
“Some Sundays, we only had four visitors throughout the entire four hours that we were open,” Eifert said,” and computers weren’t used on about half of the Sundays during the six-month period. It became difficult to justify operating the library at that level of usage.”
The library offers 54 service hours per week. The library operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. “We feel like we have a wide variety of hours available to make it possible for community members to use the library, regardless of what work hours or commute they have,” Eifert said. “Plus, our ‘virtual library’ of electronic resources and databases are available 24/7.”
The library will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Come learn about the amazing ways animals are adapted to their environments with Big Oak Tree State Park at the Sikeston Public Library!
Elise Ratcliff, site superintendent at Big Oak Tree State Park will be presenting a program about animal adaptation at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 in the McAmis Community Room (main level of the library).
From their fur and skin to their bone structure, animals are built just right for the places they live. And we’re here to highlight just a few of those ways! We will have furs, skulls, and even live animals at this free, family-friendly event. Come spend your Saturday morning learning with us!
For more information, call the park at 573-649-0045.
The library will be closed on Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
The library will be closed on Sunday, April 17, in observance of Easter Sunday.
The library will be holding its annual Used Book Sale from April 7-10 in the McAmis Community Room (main level) of the library.
The sale opens at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. It continues during regular library hours on Friday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
On Sunday, April 10 — the final day of the sale — any items left at the sale will be sold for $1 per brown bag full from 1-3 p.m. We even provide the bag!
We are anticipating a large sale this year. Items to be offered include adult fiction and non-fiction, young adult novels, children’s fiction and non-fiction, audiobooks, classic VHS tapes, and DVDs. Materials for the book sales consist of donations from the public, as well as books that are no longer needed in the library’s collection.
Proceeds from the book sale are returned to the library’s budget to purchase new materials for circulation in the library.
Do you have a passion for watching birds and want to learn more about them? Do you want to increase your awareness and appreciation for birds? Would you like know how to identify different bird species, how to find them in their habitat, or how to draw them into your yard? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this bird meeting is for you!
Join us from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb 15 at the Sikeston Public Library to discuss bird watching. We will talk about citizen science and how to participate in the upcoming GBBC (Great Backyard Bird Count) that is being held February 18-21, 2022. We will look at helpful apps and websites that can be used to identify and learn more about birds, and other topics such as bird food and feeders.
Kathy McClellan, past biology teacher and bird enthusiast for over 20 years, will be sharing some information with interested participants.
Please complete the form below to register.