Rebecca M. Arthurs Memorial Library

From Behind the Library Desk - We're Just Wild About..Harry Neuhard

To paraphrase a classic song, we here at Rebecca M. Arthurs Memorial Library are just "Wild About Harry". We're speaking, of course, about Harry Neuhard, a long time Brookville resident and current president of the Library Board of Trustees.

Harry, former band director and art instructor at Brookville Area High School for 40 years, isn't one to toot his own horn, but in a recent conversation with him I learned a little more about this quiet man with the slow, easy smile.

Currently on display at RMAL is a remarkable collection of hand carved birds done by Harry over a period of many years and this display includes a solid cherry pintail, a Carolina wren, a belted kingfisher, a hummingbird, a hooded merganser, and a barrow's golden eye, all carved to scale and painted with authentic colors. He told me he's been carving since he was in junior high school and that months of work were required to complete each bird.

If you attended Brookville High School anywhere between 1952 - 1993, chances are better than average that you were a student of Harry's or that you were familiar with the name. He began his career as band director and then when the audio/visual department opened up, he became an art instructor. Since I've been at the library these past few months I've seen many former students come in to share a hug and reminisce about their days under his tutelage. He tells me many of his students have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, etc.

Harry became involved with the library when the new addition was constructed. Rose, our director, told me of the day when all the shelves were delivered with just women and teens to unload the truck. As they stood looking at this huge pile of metal and bolts, Harry came strolling in and began methodically sorting all the pieces and he's been here ever since! No matter what the proposed project, he always finds a way to get it done and I'm told that "can't be done" just isn't in his vocabulary. Rose tells me she thinks there is ESP involved, because each time she thinks of a new project, Harry just seems to appear on our doorstep!

The most recent project has been a cooperative effort utilizing the talents of Harry, George Walker, Susie Whitling and Mike Lawrence. If you stop by the library and visit the children's area you'll see a new "check out desk", a miniature version of the regular one, and this desk even has a bell that rings each time a book is "checked out". Also underway is a wall mural featuring favorite children's cartoon characters such as Spongebob Squarepants, Curious George, Sesame Street Characters and Curious George, to name a few. We're just waiting for our volunteer "painters" to arrive and bring our ideas to life.

I asked him what has been the biggest change he's seen in our library and he responded with, "It used to be a quiet place". He went on to explain he wasn't talking about the actual noise level, but noticed that there are a lot more programs for the children and many more activities such as the book sale, etc for the adults and teens. As far as where he'd like to see the library go, he sees a definite need for physical expansion of our now cramped facilities and even sees an enlarged parking area somewhere in the future.

In closing, I'd like to share some comments that came in a recent letter sent to Harry by a former student. She shared many reminiscences of her days in band but it was these comments that were most telling.

"I am reminded about how you worked with each of your students to be the best that they could be. …You taught me that I could set a goal and accomplish it. That is truly a gift that you gave to each of us."

Thank you, Harry, for sharing your humor, your wisdom and your creativity so that everyone can enjoy our wonderful library.

Monthly articles are written by Judy Schwab, library aide. These articles have appeared in the newspapers "Jeffersonian Democrat", Brookville, PA and "Jefferson County Neighbors". The articles highlight people and events related to the library. Rebecca M Arthurs Memorial Library © 2006.

The library is located at 223 Valley Street in Brookville, PA 15825. You may contact us at 814-849-5512 or click here to email us.