Library cat

"Israel", at Gulbenkian Library, Jerusalem

Library cats are domesticated cats that live in public libraries worldwide. The association of cats with libraries dates to antiquity, when libraries in temples of ancient Egypt had cats-in-residence for rodent control. The association continued in the Middle Ages, into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and up to the present day.

Contemporary library cats have also been featured in film and literature. Their presence helps create a relaxed and calming environment for patrons and staff; other roles include appeals in marketing and in reading and literacy programs.

History

The relationship between cats and libraries is centuries old.[1] Herodotus described libraries in Egyptian temples. During this period, some animals were given special training to prevent rodents and serpents from infiltrating temples, in an effort to preserve papyrus rolls. Monastic records from the Middle Ages indicate cats were kept in medieval monasteries in order to control rats, that might otherwise eat valuable manuscripts. In 1745, Russian Empress Elisabeth published an order to transport cats to her court. The descendants of these cats now live in the State Hermitage museum. During the nineteenth century, the British government compensated those libraries that housed cats, believing they kept rodents away from books.[2]

Modern examples

Modern day library cats have appeared as characters in books and movies,[3] are immortalized in stone in front of their institutions,[2] and some are given positions on the institution's board. Many cats enjoy high-profile professional roles of marketing and public relations.[3]

The relationship between libraries and cats is at times contentious. In one case, there were attempts to remove a cat from a library, based upon concerns of patrons with allergies claiming violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.[4] Another considered removal was because of the library cat's reaction to service animals.[1] When a library cat was removed from its institution in Putnam Valley, New York, the institution suffered financially. Two members of the community were so upset about the removal that they deleted bequests to the library from their wills, producing an $80,000 loss in potential revenue.[1]

The Library Cat Society, a now defunct organization, was established in 1987 to encourage the establishment, respect, and recognition of library cats. The society included dozens of member libraries that exchanged information about their cats, and published a newsletter about them.[3]

The anthology Cats, Librarians, and Libraries: Essays for and About the Library Cat Society explored this relationship. The lives of library cats were studied by Gary Roma, a documentarian who produced a film entitled Puss in Books: Adventures of the Library Cat.[3] According to Roma’s website, there are more than 800 cataloged library cats worldwide. The catalog indicates that many of them have since metaphorically crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Additionally, cats are often found in independent bookstores throughout the United States.[5][6]

Benefits

Library cats have been used to befriend patrons, boost librarian morale, and inspire reading and literacy programs.[3] Cats can also be useful for marketing campaigns, and are frequently used to generate publicity for their libraries, particularly on social media.[7] The presence of a cat can create a relaxed environment and ease daily stress for patrons and librarians alike,[8][9] but usually without the typically disruptive loud noises other animals (e.g. dogs) may produce. Cats' generally independent nature may also suit the intellectual environment of a library, as they are low-maintenance and may more readily suit the otherwise preoccupied intellectual personalities who frequent libraries.[10]

Famous example

Dewey Readmore Books is perhaps the most famous library cat. He lived in Iowa’s Spencer Public Library for 19 years. After his death, a book was published about him,[11] and later a number of follow-up books.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Noriyuki, Duane (18 February 2002). "In the Wonderland of Libraries Are Cats Like Alis". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 Kagamaster, Allie. "History of Library Cats". Cat Fancy. BowTie, Inc. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Wesleyan's Library Cats". Wesleyan College. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  4. ↑ Kelley, Michael (17 May 2013). "Send Me Your Library Cats". Library Journal. 05. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  5. ↑ Korbelik, Jeff (13 November 2012). "What is a cat?". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  6. ↑ Davies, Richard. "A Catalog of Bookstore Cats". AbeBooks. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  7. ↑ Kroski, E. (2014). "A quick guide to library cats". Open Education Database (OEDb). Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Mieszkowski, Katharine (12 February 2009). "The love that dare not bark its name". Salon. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  9. ↑ Black, George. "Made for Each Other". On Earth. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  10. ↑ Roach, John (29 July 2010). "How science measures up cats and dogs". NBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  11. ↑ Rich, Motoko (4 April 2007). "Iowa Library's Cat Has a Rich Second Life as a Biography". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 June 2013.

Further reading

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