Articles in Featuring Felines are written by
Patrick Roberts
Copyright © 2003-13 Purr 'n' Fur UK

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   HALL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Ellington, Connecticut

Bob arrived at the Hall Library as an older stray during the early 2000s and became a much loved resident. He died in October 2008 and has not been replaced. He was a handsome and 'chunky' tabby, but although we have some photos of him, we have no other information. A video and some news articles about Bob are no longer to be found.
Website

   HASTINGS BRANCH LIBRARY
Pasadena, California

From the early 1980s right up to 1996, Max spent a lot of his time at the library. He didn't actually live there, but his home was nearby and he just loved being among the books and the patrons. At first library staff kept putting him out; but he always came back, and as soon as someone opened the door, he was in! He loved exploring, everything from the toybox to the top of the bookshelves, and he made friends with the children, even attending storytime, puppet shows and the like. He seemed to enjoy looking at books with mice, too! After a time, staff realised that they effectively had a library cat, and so they even issued him with his own library card. It seemed Max had come to stay.
     But one day he just didn't turn up. Missing him, and wondering what had happened, staff made enquiries and found he had moved with his family to live in the country, at Altadena, where he had a lovely new home. A couple of the library staff went to visit him, and he was delighted to see them. They realised that with the internet they could post photos of him that the children at the library could see. The Internet Archive has a copy of a past page with some pictures of Max in his library days.

   HENNESSEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Hennessey, Kingfisher County, Oklahoma

In September 2008 the librarian at the Hennessey Public Library was bemoaning the fact that, once again, mice had eaten some decorations she wanted to put up, and said 'We need a cat!' At lunchtime just two days later there was a loud meowing at the door and a cat was standing on its hind legs trying to get in. He was only a youngster, possibly just a few weeks old, was skinny, had ear mites and fleas and thin fur. He was allowed in, very soon took the place over and has grown into a fine cat who purrs constantly, is loved by the patrons and has proved to be the perfect library feline. He's even caught mice! There's a host of great pictures of Oreo, as he's named, over several pages at the library website.

   HENRY COUNTY LIBRARY
McDonough, Henry County, Georgia

A shy and skinny young black cat turned up at the library one day in 1996 at the former library building and, once he had assured himself there were regular meals and people liked him, he became the resident library cat. He was named Jamback, after a rural byway in northern Alabama called Jamback Road. 'Jammie' would stretch himself out on the front desk and 'assist' while patrons stroked and admired him. When the mood took him he would sit on top of a stack of boxes and swat the head of anyone passing below him! He remained official meeter and greeter for five years, until in 2001 the library moved to new quarters. There he was restricted to the office areas, but adjusted well, starting to sleep more as he entered middle age. He developed feline diabetes, and his devoted staff gave him insulin injections twice a day until he passed away in September 2008 aged about 13. He was a joy to all who knew him and was much missed.

   J ROBERT JAMERSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Appomattox, Virginia

Star was just six weeks old when he was taken in from an animal-rescue group to be fostered at their home by librarian Katharine Butler and her husband, who already had several cats. The plan was to rehome him when he was older; but by the time he was eight months old and a large, sleek, black boy with just a white 'star' on his chest, no home had been found and the Butlers decided to keep him. One day in 2005 he followed Katharine to the library, liked what he saw, and now visits most days. He is the 'voice' behind Appomattox County's Star's Pick of the Litter, a library feature that promotes books of Star's choosing that focus on animals. He is said to be 'a lover of books that feature mischievous kitties'.
     But Star doesn't spend all his time at the library. Not content with just being a library cat, he has become a 'cat about town'. Once he's satisfied himself that opening time has gone well in the mornings, he likes to cross the road to Coleman and Sons' 'Southern States' shop where he goes hunting in the basement and other nooks and crannies — sometimes returning covered with cobwebs! He also has a calico lady-friend there, called Sally. Then he will move on to make other visits on his now extensive social round, which includes several shops, the county jail, a lawyer's office and several churches (especially for Wednesday night dinners!). He has thus become quite a well-known feature in Appomattox; people bring him treats and ask about him when he's not at the library. He's rarely at his real home — just when it's bad weather or too cold to go out visiting!
Website

   JAMES BLACKSTONE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Branford, New Haven County, Connecticut

The library formerly had two cats, Annie and Prudence, although we believe they have not been replaced. Prudence was there only from 1978 to 1980, but during that time produced three kittens from a liaison with the cat from the education offices across the road! Annie (outer left) had a longer tenure, from 1980 to 1988, and had a wonderful, loving personality. She liked to curl up on the jackets and book bags of library patrons, and was very much missed by them and by the staff when she died.
Website | Facebook

   JENNIE TRENT DEW LIBRARY
Goldthwaite, Mills County, Texas

Miss Jennie of Goldthwaite arrived one bitter December morning in 2007 when, cold and hungry, she was found mewing at the library door. As she put it, 'It didn't take but a few days to convince Theresa [the librarian] that the library really needed a cat.' Jennie used to run an occasional blog while she was resident there, and also wrote a book column for the Goldthwaite Eagle entitled 'Scratchings from Jennie'. Apparently she and her companion feline Reggie — who is actually her son, the result of a brief fling with alley-cat Tom — liked to relax in the sun on the front stoop of the library; Jennie said people had to watch out for him because he liked to lie in the footpath as patrons came in, being still young and really liking to be noticed!
     However, late in 2010 we were notified by current librarian Deb Flowers that the cats had been removed 'at the request of the city manager'. We're pleased to know that both went to excellent homes with other cats for company: Reggie to the previous librarian [presumably Theresa] and Miss Jennie to a local doctor.
Website | Facebook

   JOHNSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas

Thomas, a red tabby, was born in 1990, but when his mistress died he was taken to a local animal shelter. There the library director saw him and, having consulted with the staff, adopted him as library cat in late 1992. Well known to all library patrons, he also had his share of press in the local newspapers and was featured in such publications as The Library Cat Newsletter and the National Examiner. His story was a part of a state-wide library workshop on library cats.
     Thomas died in January 2004 after having been ill for several weeks; he has been greatly missed by all his friends. A new library cat called Miss Kitty, a tortoiseshell-and-white, took over from him later the same year.
Website | Facebook

   LITCHFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois

The library cat greeting patrons here is Stacks, a long-haired black female who joined the staff in February 2009, having been rescued as a youngster from a local animal shelter. She soon made herself queen of all she surveyed, and loves to be petted and have a fuss made of her. Like Jesse of Cazenovia used to, Stacks loves to ride the elevator; she also seems to like to walk visitors to the door, but she doesn't go outside. As she is a full-time resident, volunteers call in to look after her when the library is closed, and as with most library cats her food and care are paid for by donations.
Website | Facebook

   LOS ROBLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY
Porterville, Tulare County, California

By the time he was six months old, in October 2011, Sir Eli, a handsome Ragdoll cat, was already a veteran library cat at the school library. He is not a resident, but goes in twice a week during term time with his human, librarian Marilyn Barsaleau. Children have to be on their best behavior to earn the chance to come and stroke Eli. 'Some kids come just to see him,' Barsaleau says. He doesn't only rule the library stacks: he can be found from time to time in the nurse's office, comforting sick children who are waiting to get picked up and taken home; he helps to calm them down. As a docile, tolerant and accepting cat, like most Ragdolls, Eli is also in demand to visit elderly people as a therapy animal, going into hospitals, adult care facilities and hospices where he charms patients just as he charms the library patrons.
With acknowledgements to MouseBreath

   LYME PUBLIC LIBRARY
Lyme, New London County, Connecticut

Emma has graced the library in Lyme since 2003, when she came from a local animal shelter and was known at the time as Nina; a party was held to decide on a new name. She is a tabby Maine Coon of some 13 to 14 years in 2010, and the staff refer to her as 'Her Royal Highness', 'Queen Emma' or simply 'The Boss' — which gives some idea of who's in charge of the place! Perhaps that's because there is an entire chapter devoted to her in the book Working Cats of Southern New England, by Barbara and Melissa Moss!
     Emma's favourite place is the stool at the circulation desk; she likes to sit (or sleep) there and supervise library activities. If any of the library staff dares to sit on that stool, Emma will sit and stare at them until they move. It's also a prime location to get lots of attention and stroking from patrons who come into the library. She has captured the hearts of library staffers (including the Library Director, who frequently makes a fool of herself over Emma), patrons and town residents. Her many friends and admirers (or subjects, if you wish) bring her toys and treats and generously donate toward her food and care. She is friendly, affectionate, and a wonderful companion. She greets the library staff as they arrive for work in the morning and lets them know that all is well; she welcomes patrons and guests to the building; and — more than anything — Emma makes the Lyme Public Library a wonderful place to work and to visit. She celebrated her 10th anniversary at the library in February 2013.
Website | Emma's page | Facebook

   MAXIE SPEER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY
Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas

Maxie, or Maxie Speer Huett to give her full title, is the official library cat of this school. Like her near-namesake Max of Pasadena, she doesn't actually live in the library, but comes to work each day with librarian Charlie Huett. And she is 90 per cent blind: but that doesn't stop her from performing her important daily tasks.
     Each morning Maxie assists with the Pledge of Allegiance; then she helps to turn on all the computers. After that she's kept quite busy, as a different class arrives every 25 minutes. She seems to have appointed herself as guardian of the students' good behaviour: her keen hearing can detect the sound of a candy wrapper from anywhere in the library, and she will point out students who are eating, or even carrying candy. Any ball of paper dropped on the floor will be promptly picked up by Maxie and returned to its owner!

   MOORESVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Mooresville, Morgan County, Indiana

The library in Mooresville is in a largely residential area, so when a black cat started hanging around outside there in November 2010, staff thought she probably belonged to one of the houses. She seemed hungry — although not thin and appearing to be well fed — so now food and water are left out for her, which she seems to appreciate. She does not actually live in the library, but comes and goes as she pleases and particularly enjoys the outdoor children's garden. Named Cauli because of an injured left ear, she's fairly timid, but can be sweet and friendly when she feels comfortable with a person. The vet estimated that she's between 4 and 6 years old, and she has been spayed.
     In December 2010 Bill Buckley, Historian and Reference Coordinator at the library, and his wife Janet had the idea of starting a blog in Cauli's name, with the aim of disseminating library news, programs, events and promotions, along the lines of Tober's blog, another well-known Indiana library feline. For this Cauli has the title Cauli le Chat (which of course sounds more sophisticated than 'Cauli the Cat'), and so she now has an extensive blog. Because she roams about, she's obviously busy gathering news: and she's assisted by 'roving reporters' — a.k.a. the Buckleys' two kittens!
Many thanks to Bill for providing us with the information about Cauli.

   NASH LIBRARY
Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma

The library is part of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The resident cat is Addison Nash, a tortoiseshell-and-white female who helps to raise funds for the pet-adoption society Friends With Four Paws, as well as her duties of meeting and greeting visitors and, according to the website, 'student well-being and rodent management'. Although present in the library when the university is in session, Addison, three years old in 2010, has a 'vacation home' where she goes for Christmas and summer breaks. She has her own Facebook page.

   NORTH MANCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
North Manchester, Wabash County, Indiana

On a chilly morning in September 1998 a thin calico cat turned up at the doors of the library, lost, cold and hungry. She was taken in and given some food and water; then staff put her out again, thinking she must belong to someone nearby. But she kept returning, several times a day, and so eventually, after unsuccessful efforts had been made to locate an owner, she was taken in permanently and became the library cat. Her name became Miss Peabody. She roamed the aisles, kept track of computer users and generally supervised matters. The Friends of the Library adopted her and paid all expenses. Her company was enjoyed especially by senior citizens, many of whom lived in accommodation where no pets were allowed.
     After 10 years of dedicated service Miss Peabody took her retirement in summer 2008, moving to her vacation home in Michigan. Actually she has two homes: in summer she resides at the 120-year-old 40 Mile Point Lighthouse, although not in the part open to the public, and the rest of the year she lives in a bungalow in Rogers City with Neil Burchett, a former Friend of the Library, who describes himself as 'P.A. to Miss Peabody'. She loves the bungalow, as she can sit in a screened-in porch and watch the birds for hours on end!
We're very grateful to Neil Burchett for updating us with news of his 'boss' in 2010.

   OCEAN SHORES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington State

Located on a spit of land on the Olympic Peninsula, the town of Ocean Shores created its library-cat position in 1999 after a survey revealed that 98 per cent of patrons who responded favoured a furry staff member. Michelle Olson, library clerk, presented the results to the library's board of trustees. During the meeting, a member left to make a phone call, returned and announced that an applicant would be arriving within five minutes. The calico kitten had been dumped beside the road. 'It took less than a minute to know that she was the one,' said Olson. 'She let each person hold and pet her without complaint, purring all the while.' They named the black, white and peach-splotched kitten Trixie, in honour of Trixie Belden, the fictional girl detective in the children's mystery series. Trixie had her own chequebook to pay for food and veterinary bills, and as with many library cats, patrons could contribute to a 'feed the kitty' donation tin.
     Trixie charmed Ocean Shores for six years, greeting visitors, even pushing the library into the international spotlight when a news team from Japan visited. But one day in 2005 when the library was opened, Trixie was found dead. The town grieved and the library director said 'no more cats'. The pain of the loss was too great.
     But slowly pressure from patrons for a new cat increased, so when two years later Michelle visited an animal shelter and came across two especially friendly cats, the decision was made and Trixie's successors were appointed. Waldo is an active young male grey tabby with amber eyes, who loves attention, while Olivia is described as a 'portly' black female, who is quieter and more of a loner. The two are devoted to each other, though. They also are named after characters in children's books, and a glimpse of them can be seen in a short video dating from early 2009 at The Seattle Times.
     However, towards the end of 2009 everything changed at Ocean Shores when the powers-that-be announced severe budget cuts, affecting the library's viability. In spite of protest and many representations from the public, it did actually close for a time. It reopened, but with considerably reduced hours and more staffing by volunteers. Obviously the library cats could not remain while it was closed, so Waldo and Olivia were adopted by Tony Byers. We don't know his position — maybe a Friend of the Library — but the cats certainly looked contented in their new home!
     In mid-2010 funding issues still threatened the library's future, but a campaign continued to save it which subsequently appears to have been successful.
Website | Facebook

   ONTARIO COUNTY RECORDS & ARCHIVES CENTER
Canandaigua, New York State

When the much loved resident cat of this section of the Records, Archives and Information Management Services (RAIMS) in New York State, Orphan Annie Raims, died in June 2009 after several years' service, director Dr Hans Finke says that his staff became depressed and it was no longer a pleasure to come to work. Annie has her own memorial page with a number of photos.
     It was decided a new feline presence was needed, and so from photos provided by the Happy Tails Humane Society of Ontario County, Basil (male) and Bailey (female) were chosen as 'rodent officers in training'. They are the same age, although not from the same litter. There is a great slide show of the two new arrivals exploring their work environment. Dr Finke says the office atmosphere has improved enormously since their arrival!
Our thanks to Dr Finke for kindly sending images and information about Basil and Bailey.