By Shelly Baskin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-999859.mp3
Salem, KY – For Livingston County's 10,000 residents, a trip to the library used to mean as much as a half-hour trip across county lines to Marion or Paducah. But that will change early next month as Livingston opens the first ever public library in the county. Livingston County Judge-Executive Chris Lasher says the library project has been almost a decade in the making. It started in earnest about five years ago when designs were finalized and fundraising started.
Lasher says the Friends of the Library group raised almost $215,000 to provide books and equipment for the library. Among the new library's amenities will be 13 computers for public use, WIFI, space for more than 16,000 books, and DVD rentals. Lasher says the library will be housed in a new $4.2 million building that will also contain county government offices. He says the decision to house them in the same building will save money in the long run.
Lasher says the library will be a great asset to the community, and will provide resources for children and adults in the area. He says a library is a "cornerstone" for any community and he looks forward to seeing it in action when it opens in early February.