PORTAGEVILLE, Mo - The New Madrid County Library has always been one of Susan Newman’s favorite places.
As a child, she would drop in after school to see her mother, Erma Brooks, who was the bookkeeper for the library system, and chat with the librarians.
“I shelved books for Mrs. Anne Angel, straightened and dusted and anything else that needed to be done,” Newman recalled.
Today she serves as director as the New Madrid County Library System marks its 75th year of serving the residents of New Madrid County.
Creating the countywide library system was a group effort. The New Madrid County Farm Bureau, extension clubs, schools and civic groups backed a proposal to pass a tax to fund the library system in 1948.
For the first few years the Library was headquartered in New Madrid, moving several times in search of more room as books were added. In 1952, the Library headquarters relocated to Portageville.
Originally the building was not open to the public, instead a bookmobile traveled throughout the county stopping at schools, grocery stores and crossroads.
Although the bookmobile was parked a number of years ago, the Library system continues to reach out across the county. Today, in addition to the headquarters at Portageville, branches are located at New Madrid, Gideon, Matthews, Morehouse, Parma and Risco.
Between the proverbial front and back covers of the New Madrid County Library system lives a wealth of services and community-building tools.
First and foremost there are books, lots of books. Newman estimated the collection at 105,497 and growing.
“We get in new books every week. We try to buy the most popular authors,” she said. “And we will buy a book if you think you will read it. Recommendations are always welcome.”
There are hard-back books, paperback books, large print books, magazines and newspapers available to readers.
Want to listen to a book? There are audio books, too.
If you would rather relax and watch a movie, the Library can fill this need as well. According to Newman, the library’s collection of DVDs numbers 7,740 with titles available for all different tastes.
The Library’s website - www.newmadridcountylibrary.com - lists all the books available by title and author. While each branch maintains its own collection, library patrons can use the website to find and request a book from any of the local libraries.
Libraries aren’t just about books, Newman pointed out.
The website also provides an array of information from veterans benefits to presidential history and Excel tutorial to driver’s license education
Computers with internet access are available to the public at Portageville, Matthews, New Madrid and Gideon. Some library patrons use the computers to apply for jobs while others opt to use them for research or simply surf through social media sites. One regular visitor is typing her church’s history on the Library’s public computer.
Those with their own computers can take advantage of the free wi-fi.“Everything today is so computer based,” Newman said. “We can help people access information then get it from their computer or phone. We recently bought wire-less printers for Matthews, New Madrid and Portageville and they are getting a lot of use from patrons needing to print information.”
For those tracing their family roots, the New Madrid Memorial Branch maintains an extensive genealogy room and newspapers on microfilm as well as access to ancestry.com.
Since the onset of COVID, more New Madrid County Library patrons are accessing the e-book collection available through Libby, an e-book service available for library card holders. The E-book collection can provide immediate access to some of latest titles along with the classics as well as audio books and magazines.
While the New Madrid Library System strives to meet the changes of the 21st century, there are some old favorites that remain.
Each year the summer reading program introduces youngsters into the wonders of books. This year’s program was one of the most successful serving 344 children.
Also one Saturday a month throughout the year, the Portageville branch hosts an hour-long Reading Club for youngsters.
Newman said New Madrid County residents have much to be proud of when it comes to their local Library system.
“After 75 years, we are still here. We want to be an active, busy part of the community and continue to serve people for many more years to come,” said Newman. “We hope people will come in, help us celebrate and find that next great book to read.”