Free books, composting info being provided by St. Marys Public Library
The potential for exciting finds at the St. Marys Farmers and Artisans Market extends beyond fresh produce and now includes free books for youngsters from the St. Marys Public Library.
St. Marys Public Library Director Leslie Swope manned a booth on behalf of the library at the first farmers market of the season and was handing out copies of “Anywhere Farm” by Phyllis Root to youngsters and their families.
“It is about container gardening using the resources you have around you to make small gardens,” Swope said of the book. “You do not need to have a lot of land (or any land) to start a garden. I personally love the idea of container gardening, especially for beginners or children. There's very little time or cost involved, and it's a great way to see if it is a hobby you would enjoy.”
Swope noted that her oldest son started gardening with a small strawberry plant in a watering can, and she put a cherry tomato plant in a five-gallon bucket.
“Now, we have plants in containers all over the place,” Swope said.
Swope indicated that the library hopes to participate in the St. Marys Farmers and Artisans Market at least once per month.
“The book is only available when the library is at the farmers market,” Swope said. “Another book will be brought in August in case children saw us in July and already have a copy of ‘Anywhere Farm.'”
Swope noted that for the past two summers, the library has been focused on giving away free quality books to the community.
“This year, our goal is to give away 1,000 books,” Swope said. “The library uses funds donated to us from the United Way and grants like SHARP to buy discounted high-quality books from First Book and Scholastic.”
In addition to handing out books, Swope also brings the library's worm farm to the farmers market to talk to people about composting.
“There are 150 worms that live in the library and eat the scraps from the lunches of the library staff,” Swope said.
Being involved with the market is a new venture for the library, Swope added.
“The St. Marys Heritage Preservation Group reached out and asked if the library would be interested in having a table, and I thought it would be a wonderful form of outreach to the community,” Swope said. “I love bringing the library out of the building to where people are.”
The St. Marys Farmers and Artisans Market is being held each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon through Sept. 17 in the Market Street parking lot.