Sikeston Junior High students construct furniture for library

Submitted Photo Pictured are new seating and book shelves created and designed by Sikeston Junior High School industrial arts teacher Eugene Stroud and his seventh and eighth grade students and delivered recently to the Sikeston Public Library.

SIKESTON — Sikeston Public Library recently received new seating and book shelves designed and made by local seventh and eighth graders.

Lisa Munger, children’s librarian at Sikeston Public Library, said the library was aware of the furniture being constructed by Sikeston Junior High School industrial arts teacher Eugene Stroud and his seventh and eighth grade students.

“Mr. Stroud is my neighbor, and we were talking about me wanting some new alternative seating for the children’s section (at the library), so we looked online at different library furniture, looked in catalogs, etc.,” Munger said.

Submitted Photo Pictured are new book shelves created and designed by Sikeston Junior High School industrial arts teacher Eugene Stroud and his seventh and eighth grade students and delivered recently to the Sikeston Public Library.

Munger said Stroud told her he had some exceptionally good students, and he was confident in their ability to complete the task. 

“He talked to his supervisor, and it was cleared, so he started talking to the kids and showed them what I had in mind,” Munger said.

According to Munger, students requested to start designing their own designs based on what she wanted. Stroud advised them to make a list of questions to ask Munger and to look at the library space they would be designed for to acquire size suggestions.

“The kids had a lot of good questions and were very detailed and specific with what they needed to know,” Munger said.

Munger went on to say she and Stroud even measured books in the library to ensure that even the tallest books in the children’s area could fit on the shelves.

Munger said the new seating and shelves were certainly needed.

“I wanted simple benches with shelves and storage for books, stuffed animals and even puzzles and small toys the kids enjoy playing with when they visit, and Mr. Stroud’s students definitely delivered,” Munger said. “I was able to make very good use of the shelves they built attached to the benches, and the oversized book rack is perfect for books that don’t fit on the regular shelves.”

Munger added she would like to acquire new pads or cushions for the seats in the future, but for now, the seating is perfect.

Munger said the new shelves will mostly be utilized to remove some of the larger collections of books from the main shelves in order to make more room.

Munger expressed her appreciation for the new gifts from Stroud’s students.

“They are incredibly special,” Munger said. “The library was thrilled to find out they were done and ready to be moved in here.

Munger continued: “Really, they are most special because of the commitment, work, time and extra effort the students and Mr. Stroud both put into this. So many kids are going to be able to enjoy these for a long time.”

Munger and Ron Eifert, Sikeston Public Library director, said they like showing the new furniture to other library directors across the state and giving the patrons and other community members the entire story of how they came about and who local seventh and eighth graders designed and built them.

“These students will be able to come to the library and see their hard work on display for years to come,” Munger said.

Munger said Stroud worked hard with his students on this project to ensure that the new furniture was well-done, sturdy and long-lasting. Munger said she admired his willingness to take on the project’s challenge and that Stroud is a wonderful teacher and neighbor.