The Prehistoric Snake and Ninevah Library #4CLSroadtrip

Today, I'm tired after a Monday of Four County Library Roadtripping, so I am staying local for my post today.

Have you ever read the comic strips BC or The Wizard of ID?

For many years, the creator of these comic strips, Johnny Hart, lived in the small town of Ninevah, New York. His art is celebrated all through the New York State county I live in.

Johnny Hart, or so I was told several years ago by someone I met who worked at a cetain company, worked at the then General Electric plant just outside of Johnson City, New York in their art department.  But he really wanted to start a cartoon.  He did, and became famous.

So, when my spouse and I visited Ninevah, New York as part of the Four County Library Road Trip earlier this summer, it was no surprise to see this.

 

Artwork by the late Johnny Hart - one of his characters in his BC comic's prehistoric world - I think this bookworm is simply called The Snake. It's not unusual to see art created by Johnny Hart in our area, for example in the logo used by our public transportation.

Welcome to the Ninevah, New York library.

This library is proud of its local history, even having a collection of books devoted to history and some of our distinguished citizens.  If you see a Twilight Zone book up above, you are right - Rod Serling grew up in nearby Binghamton, New York. 

This library dates from 1901, and this is a painting of its original building.  The library moved to its present home in 1972.

The current library is the smallest library in the county I live in, but it is big in hart...I mean, heart.

Small does not mean "boring'.  The librarian gave us a tour and something immediately caught my flower loving eye.

This library has a garden.  Due to lack of volunteer labor, it needs some love, but it was still nice to look at. 

Like so many other rural libraries in our area, this library depends greatly on local businesses to help fund the many programs it offers to its community.  The libraries, in turn, attempt to support local businesses.  The librarian here told us about a local grocery a couple of doors down that made the most wonderful desserts.  There wasn't even a sign on the front, but we went in and bought a delicious (and large) slice of chocolate peanut butter cake.  It was wonderful.

This has been a fascinating road trip, full of surprises and history.  

Join me again in a few days when I blog about another library in our four county area.