The Library Where They Know Your Name #4CLSRoadtrip

Today, on our roadtrip to explore some of the 43 libraries of the Four County Library System (Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties), we return to the Binghamton, New York area, which has the highest concentration of population of the four counties.

I had never been to all the libraries of my home county, so this road trip was a great opportunity to learn about all of them.

The town of Fenton, New York (population around 6,600) was established in 1867 and prospered during the years of the Chenango Canal, a feeder canal of the larger Erie Canal system.  It was located on the west side of the town and linked the Susquehanna River with the Erie Canal.  When the railroads became the dominant form of commercial traffic in the 1870's, the Chenango Canal was closed (in 1878) and only small remnants of the canal are visible today.  

It was only open for 44 years.

Fenton, today, is one of 22 towns and cities in Broome County, and I had never been to its library.

Let's visit The Fenton Free Library, which calls itself "The Heart of the Community".

It has an interesting history.

Friends gather here.

The librarian obviously didn't know me or my spouse, but she greeted everyone else who came by during our visit by name. She asked after their family, their pets.  She knew what was happening in their lives. 

We were welcome to make ourselves at home.

Maybe we could stay and play a game.

The entire library had a friendly, country decorated vibe.

Still more libraries to go (I visited 33 total), and I'll blog about several more in the coming months.

Thank you for joining me.