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THE BOOKMARKBoyle County Public Library • 127/150 Bypass, Danvi l le, Kentucky • 859/236-8466 • www.boylepublib.org

This 1939 photo of a boy climbing a worm fence is included in “Between Fences,” a Smithsonian exhibit on view at the Boyle County Public Library June 13-July 26.

Exhibit offerscultural viewof fencesRock-wall builder,speakers augmentSmithsonian show

See PROGRESS, Page 2

By KARL BENSONDirector, Boyle County Public Library

Gleaming copper and polished ter-razzo signal a new library coming to life as building construction advances to completion.

The bright copper dome of the entrance rotunda will soon start to mellow into rich patina, while the muted terrazzo colors forming the compass rose inside will bask in the natural light filling the rotunda, wel-coming all who enter.

Other signs of major progress toward completion are walls springing

Do good fences make good neighbors, as Robert Frost said? If so, why?

This and other aspects of the cul-tural history of fence and land use will be explored by the Boyle County Public Library in cooperation with the Kentucky Humanities Council.

“Between Fences,” a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition, will be on view at the library from June 13 through July 26.

Whether made of split rails, decora-tive white pickets, or tall chain link, a fence conveys information about the people who built it, how they view and use their property, and the nature of their relations with neighbors.

“Between Fences” explores the implications of fences in colonial America, around gated communities, and at this country’s borders with

Canada and Mexico.The library has arranged a series

of local programs, including a dem-onstration of rock-wall construction, discussions of walls and fences in this area, and production of a play entitled “A Fence for Martin Maher.”

A schedule of these programs and speakers can be found on Page 3.

“Between Fences” is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique col-laboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Ser-vice, state humanities councils, and local host institutions.

To learn more, visit www.museu-monmainstreet.org and www.boyle-publib.org.

Major progress is evident at new library

Director Karl Benson checks a globe that will hang in the children’s area.

Have fun; be a guideYou can be part of the “Between Fences” exhibit and have fun, too.

An entertaining two-hour seminar is set June 16 for people who want to learn more about the exhibit and are willing to be a docent for visitors. You will learn a lot about the exhibits.

The Kentucky Humanities Council is providing this training session for those willing to help library patrons as they view the exhibit.

You must be available sometime during the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibition — June 13 through July 26 — not the entire period.

Contact the library if you would like to help.

Page 2 THE BOOKMARK, June 2009

Continued from Page 1

Progress is visible inside, outside new library

Items are needed for new library building We want the renovated building to be a one-of-a-kind public library. Many unique features are being incorpo-rated, and some surprises are being planned.

Gifts providing such “extras” as listed here will insure a truly stellar facility, demonstrating our community’s com-mitment to striving for excellence in every way.Among items the library is seeking donors to provide are:• specialized Teen area furnishings• oriental rugs

to life in restful tones of color and light fixtures emerging in constellations.

Sidewalks and parking areas are almost complete. Landscaping work will be done after summer’s withering heat.

Carpeting, tile and other floor coverings are slated for installation in mid-June. Late July is the tentative delivery date for new furnishings. The Library’s books, materials and existing fur-nishings will be moved in mid- to late August.

If all goes well, the new library will reopen to the public by mid-September, and grand opening ceremonies will be a few weeks later.

As 1,001 details are coming together, it is an exciting time to see long-held dreams assume final form. Watch these final weeks of construc-tion and anticipate word soon of the Library’s move and reopening in late summer.

As part of the new library’s design themes of “expanding horizons” and “a world-wide out-look,” an expansive glass wall will be inscribed with phrases in 60 languages, welcoming all people and encouraging all to READ!

If you are conversant in a language besides English, we would appreciate your help in translating any of the expressions listed below.

Some of these translated phrases and words will be used for the glass wall.

• Read!• Let’s read!• I love books.• I love to read.• I love the Library.• Welcome to the Library.• Reading opens new worlds.Please print your translations clearly and

turn them in at our circulation desk. Be sure to include your name and contact information.

Help us find the right words

The unfinished inside of the new library’s entrance already looks inviting, with its compass rose with muted terrazzo colors that will be enhanced by ample natural light from the large windows and entranceway arch. Above the compass will hang the 300-globe glass sculpture by Stephen Powell.

• a lighted flagpole• a small credenza or hunt board• several American Girl dolls• a painted mural of Boyle Countians of historical note• models of a space station, space shuttle and the Hub-

ble telescope• a wall-sized photo montage of local railroading his-

tory• a collection of digital e-books in self-contained mini-

packs

THE BOOKMARK, June 2009 Page 3

Local artisans featured in programs

‘Forever Free’ scholarCentre College Prof. Daniel Stroup, the Humanities Scholar for the “Forever Free” exhibit, discussed the moral and constitutional dilemmas of Abraham Lincoln. The exhibit drew 1,000 to the library from Nov. 28 through Jan. 23.

Heather Henson was honored last month in New York with the Christopher Award for her children’s book. “That Book Woman,.”

Henson is the newest member of the Boyle County Public Library Board of Trustees.

Her book is about a pack-horse librar-ian in the Appalachian Mountains. Pack-horse librarians were part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1930s Works Progress Administration.

Heather Henson, right, with Oscar the Grouch and Carrol Spinney (Big Bird) of “Sesame Street,” which also received a Christopher award.

The Christophers were established in 1949 to salute media that “affirm the high-est values of the human spirit.” Other honorees this year included the recent Oscar winner for best picture, Slum-dog Millionaire, and the HBO film John Adams.

Henson said a big thrill for her was being honored along with “Sesame Street,” which received a special award for its contributions to children’s broad-casting.

Heather Henson receives Christopher Award

Special events featuring area artists and crafts experts will be offered by the library in June and July. These programs will add local information related to the “Between Fences” exhibit June 13 through July 26 at the library.

With one exception, all of the pro-grams will begin at 6:30 p.m.; The July 11 rock-wall construction is a full-day demonstration. Program dates and content are:

June 1 — A Reception with Artist David Farmer.

June 25 — Susan Hughes and David Larsen: “Are There Fences in Heaven? Fences at Shaker Village of

Pleasant Hill.”July 2 — Joni House: “Rock and

Rail Fences of Perryville Battlefield.” July 9 — Tom Kimmerer: “Liv-

ing Fences: Osage Orange and Black Locust Trees in Kentucky.”

July 11 (all-day event) — Chris Harp and Dry Stone Conservancy Rock: Rock fence building demonstra-tion.

July 16 — Carolyn Crabtree: “Lime-stone Fences and Structures in Boyle County: History and Preservation.”

July 23 — George McGee and Cast: “A Fence for Martin Maher,” a one-act play performed outdoors.

The 2009 summer reading program will explore the arts — painting, music, drama, dance, poetry, and more. The summer programs will begin on June 8 and continue through July 16.

Story times are 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays for toddlers; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays for preschool-ers; 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays for K through first grade; and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays for second grade and older.

The theme — “Be Creative @ Your Library” — will feature visual arts, performing arts, games, art activities, and much more to help participants maintain skills during school vacation.

Best of all, there will be plenty of voluntary reading and fun, fun, fun!!!

Stop by the Library’s temporary location, 1857 S. Danville By-Pass, to sign up and pick up a schedule.

“Be Creative @ Your Library” offers a series of special events for all

children: Ronald McDonald on June 8; Shakespeare Alive! Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 17; Magician Doug Doolin on June 24, and Rainbow Puppets on June 30.

These events will be held at the West T. Hill Community Theatre on Larrimore Lane, near Broadway and Third Street.

All events are at 10:30 a.m. and are free, but you must pick up tickets from the library.

Summer readers will explore the arts

On Christmas Day 1809, Dr. Ephraim McDowell performed the world’s first successful abdominal surgery here in Danville. The Ephraim McDowell House Museum will celebrate this landmark event with the McDowell/Crawford Bicentennial Lecture Series at the Boyle County Public Library.

The lecture, speakers and dates are:July 13: Dr. Glen Taul, “Dr. McDow-

ell in Scotland.”Oct. 15: Dr. Taylor Sanders, “The

McDowells of Rockbridge County.”Nov. 16: Carolyn Crabtree (program

TBA).For more information, visit www.

mcdowellhouse.com.

Lectures set on anniversary of Dr. McDowell’s surgery

We still need quotesWe need more quotes for possible use in the renovated library.

These quotes must relate to books or reading.

Please send us your favorite quote, its author, and where it can be found, for verification.

Include your name and tell us how to contact you..

www.geocities.com/boylecopublibrary Boyle County Public Library 859/236-8466

Friends of the LibraryBoyle County Public Library307 West BroadwayDanville, KY 40422

Non-Profit Organization

PAIDDanville, KY 40422Permit No. 152

Yes! x I want to join Friends of the Library — or renew my current x membership — in the following category:

Individual - $10 Family - $25 Contributing - $50+ Sustaining - $100+ Patron - $500+ Benefactor - $1,000+

Ways I would like to help as a Friend of the Library:

volunteer time committee work on small projects

special skills or talents (art, typing, calligraphy, etc.) — please list:

Other (please explain):

My name

Phone ( ) e-mail

Address

Make checks payable to Friends of the Library. Dues and gifts are tax deductible.

PLEASE BE OUR FRIEND!Membership dues are for the calendar year: Jan. 1-Dec. 31

Boyle County Public Library, 307 West Broadway, Danville, KY 40422

Pick up your new library card at the circulation desk (see image above). These cards will be compatible with the new computer system in our renovated buliding. Check personal information, too — we want to move in with an up-to-date user list.

Get a new library card