By Al Owens

Meeting in regular session on Tuesday, July 18 the Trustee Board of the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County examined the preliminary drawings of the proposed new library building. The board moved to accept the drawings as presented by Jeffrey T. Pearson of Pearson and Peters Architects, PLC, Lexington.

Pearson explained that the plans are tentative, and any desired changes can easily be made. Some minor adjustments are expected.

Library Director Marilyn Conway told the board that the notice of intent to apply for a $2,000,000 construction grant through the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA) has already been sent in.

Michael Jones from the KDLA handed out some information on the Kentucky Revised Statutes that relate to libraries and said that the website for the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General also has that information available.

Jones reminded the board of two upcoming meetings. He said that Writing Circles, a biannual conference for children, will be held in Carrollton, KY Wednesday through Friday, September 20-22. The other was the Trustee Conference that was scheduled to be held at Natural Bridge on Thursday, July 27.

The board moved to open the sealed bids for all the items in the two houses and shed on Third Street beside the Post Office in a special session set for Tuesday, August 1, at 1:00 p.m. The bid opening is open to the public.

The board also approved hiring George Crawford to remove the trees and shrubbery on the new library site at an estimated cost of $1,500.

After a brief discussion and explanation about life insurance the board moved to acquire that insurance for employees Kathy Hartley and Margie Valentine. The premium cost will be deducted from the employees’ salaries and will not cost the library anything. Both workers opted to take the policy.

Conway announced that the library had received a settlement check for $8,027.49 from a lawsuit filed several years ago. No details about the settlement were available.

The director’s report for June showed that 764 patrons used the library for the month. The public checked out 4762 books from the main library branch and 1306 from the Bookmobile. The computers remain to be popular with 660 using them and 330 getting on the Internet.

The meeting was adjourned until the special meeting on August 1 and the next regular session on Tuesday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. rather than at the usual 1:00 p.m. time. The meetings will be held in the library.

Fresh tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, apples, peaches and much more are available for Kentucky families to buy at the Commonwealth’s 103 farmers’ markets. Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer urges all Kentuckians to join in the celebration of Farmers’ Market Week August 6-12.

“Farmers’ markets give consumers a place to buy fresh Kentucky Proud fruits and vegetables raised just down the road,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Many markets also sell meats, sauces, preserves, cut flowers and other products. Farmers’ market customers get to meet the people who produce the food, and they keep their food dollars close to home.”

“Your local farmers’ market is a great place to teach children about where their food comes from,” said Janet Eaton, the KDA’s farmers’ market program coordinator. “Ask the farmers questions – they are passionate about their goods and would love to talk about them. Look for recipes. Try something new. Above all, enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of your local farmers’ market.”

The University of Kentucky estimated farmers’ market sales at $6-7 million in 2004, up from $5.4 million in 2003. 

UK says 75 percent of Kentucky farmers directly sell more than half of their produce at places like farmers’ markets.

Farmers’ market sales contributed to farm income of more than $4.13 billion in Kentucky in 2004. UK experts say farm receipts could again top $4 billion and maybe even set a record this year. Economists say a $100,000 increase in farm sales creates up to five new jobs and generates another $200,000 in economic activity.

“When people buy from farmers’ markets, they add to farmers’ incomes and help them stay in farming instead of selling their land for development,” Commissioner Farmer said. “It also helps the environment because their food travels a short distance to get to the market.”

More than 3,800 farmers’ markets operate throughout the nation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. USDA estimates nationwide farmers’ market sales at more than $1 billion.