Couple Creates Book Share Program

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[You know how during the holidays you look for a gift that's more than a gift--something that makes a lasting difference.

Former Du Quoin residents Joe and Jane (Presswood) Kowzan are giving such a gift to the Friends of the Du Quoin Public Library and to residents who use the library.

The couple was in Du Quoin this week to visit relatives and to present a check for $500 to the Du Quoin Public Library to begin a "Book Share" program here.

The gift will start the program, and the Kowzans will continue to purchase a book every month for the library.

The Kowzans' $500 will be used to catch up on the purchase of new titles to add to the 20,000-plus volumes now on the shelves.

Books will be selected from the Best Seller List and from patrons' interest requests.

Then, beginning in January, the Du Quoin Public Library will begin purchasing a book a month on behalf of the Kowzans, then send them a copy of the bill for reimbursement.

Joe Kowzan says their Fort Madison, Iowa public library has a similar program and it is very successful in revitalizing the shelves with new offerings.

Library services director Pam Urban said she has not yet met with her Du Quoin library board on the best way to style such a program. Kowzan suggested the library might find families interested in certain authors. When those authors' new book comes out, the families would pay for his or her new book for inclusion in the library then gets to be the first one to check it out when it arrives.

Urban is seeking suggestions from the public on the most effective way to sustain a program like this. You can contact the library at 542-5045.