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Dewey Readmore Books
of Spencer Library, Iowa

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Spencer is a town with a population of about 12,000 in the American Midwest state of Iowa. For nearly 20 years it was home to one of the best-known of American library cats — Dewey, or to give him full title Dewey Readmore Books. He arrived on a freezing cold January night in 1988 — via the book-return chute! Library staff, finding him next morning after hearing his whimpering, and having warmed him up — while he purred the whole time — decided they would like to adopt him as library cat. The idea was approved by the board of trustees and the city council, so he was neutered and vaccinated and became the new resident. He quickly made friends among the library staff and patrons, and also the wider public — some from a long way off — as they learned of his story. Donations were made for his food, and he received 'city employee discount' from a local veterinarian when medical attention was needed.

Dewey blossomed into a magnificent cat, as can be seen from his 'official' portrait (right), taken when he was about 2 years old. Over the years he provided Spencer Library with plenty of publicity — via the local newspaper, national magazines, in books, on postcards and on Sioux City TV. He was also the star of a video about library cats, Puss in Books, and his fame spread throughout America and beyond, especially after he was chosen as 'January cat' on a nationwide calendar.

Throughout his long life Dewey loved 'his public'; he greeted patrons at the front desk, regularly attended every library meeting, and even enjoyed functions such as summer 'family fun evenings' in the presence of 250 people or more. He hated it when the library was closed. Staff kept a camera handy to record his antics and adventures over the years.

In the final year or so of his life his age began to take its toll, said Vicki Myron of the library staff; he became very thin, had arthritis in his hips and back, and of course slept more than he used to; he was diagnosed also as having hypothyroidism, which added to his frailty. People were asked to pet him only on the head and shoulders, and not to pick him up; however, he still carried out all his duties and was as friendly as ever. Curiously, with old age came a taste for non-cat food, especially cheeseburgers and roast-beef sandwiches!

The library and its patrons were hoping that Dewey, their cat with the huge personality, might be around for a bit longer and perhaps reach the age of 20, but it was not to be. He had his 'official' nineteenth birthday — a grand age for a cat — on 18 November 2006; but shortly afterwards he started behaving in an uncharacteristic way by hiding away. Added to his other ailments and bearing in mind that his quality of life seemed much diminished, it was felt kinder to let him go. It fell to his greatest pal, Vicki, to make that last sad journey to the vet's with him on 29 November 2006. Staff were considering having him cremated and his ashes buried at the library.

Our sympathy goes to the library staff and all Dewey's many friends on the loss of this very special cat and great character.

Latest: Dewey's life story has been sold to Grand Central Publishing — read the story.

NB: Dewey has left us his Job Description and Rules for Running a Library.

Read about some more Library Cats in our Featuring Felines section

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Our featured feline at the head of the page is Simon of HMS Amethyst.
Able Seacat Simon remains the only cat ever to have been awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry under enemy fire,
in what became known as the 'Yangtse Incident' (1949).
Read Simon's story.

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