Lakeville commission approves showing of farming film at library; fundraising not permitted on-site

The Lakeville Agricultural Commission voted to book a public screening of a farming documentary at the Lakeville Library in February, subject to the library's rules that prohibit on-site fundraising.

Commission members were told the library can host an audience of about 75 comfortably (capacity just over 100 with standing room), has appropriate facilities and is booking into February and March. The commission voted to reserve a February evening between 6 and 8 p.m. for a showing of the film; a single-showing rights fee is $250.

A commission member summarized the library's constraints: the library staff said it cannot participate in any fundraising activity and does not allow ticket sales or active solicitation of donations on-site. "We cannot solicit donations actively," the commission member said. The commission discussed the possibility of leaving a jar on-site with no pressure, but members acknowledged that permitting any on-site collection could create equity issues with other groups seeking to fundraise at the library.

The commission was also told the film runs just over an hour, and that the producers assist promotion via their website. Nancy Kitchen was identified in the meeting as the person who first brought the film to the commission's attention; a commission member said she had purchased and reviewed the film and found it "very interesting" and "eye opening" about Massachusetts agriculture.

The commission moved and seconded a motion to reserve a February date at the library for the film. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tally.

Commissioners asked a member to contact the Lakeville Arts Council to explore grant possibilities to cover the showing fee; the commission also discussed the option of co-sponsoring with local groups to reduce the cost.