Articles in Featuring Felines are written by
Patrick Roberts
Copyright © 2003-12 Purr 'n' Fur UK

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   PACELLI HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Stevens Point, Portage County, Wisconsin

Paddy — full name Patrick — was for a long time the part-time library cat at the school. Although missing one eye, the 11-year-old Maine Coon didn't allow that to interfere with his love of books. Aside from being an avid fan of Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, Paddy could often be found with his nose buried in T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. He was also said to be quite fond of the mysteries penned by Elizabeth Peters — he simply couldn't get enough of the Egyptian cats who pop up in all her stories! However, in 2010 a new school principal decided 'no cats', so Paddy took well-earned retirement and went to live full time with librarian Kathleen Riley and 'a bunch of other cats and dogs'. He still has a blog where there are photos of him and some of his feline friends.

   PINE RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Pine River, Cass County, Minnesota

Browser is a large and handsome black cat, named from a competition among library patrons, and he is said to love eating! He has lived at the Pine River branch since 2002, and during that time has moved with it to a new building. He has an occasional blog where he reports on library news. He says that he loves being with the children at storytime — and he has a doggy friend called Beau who he sometimes meets in the parking lot. The library started a feature called 'Browser Mini Me', with a likeness of Browser that travels around the town to be in a different location each week. There's a poster at the library about it: people can tell the library staff where they saw the 'Browser Mini Me' and they will receive one of 20 collectable, limited-edition Browser Trading Cards (but only one per person per week!). Browser mugs and key rings are for sale at the library.
There are more photos of Browser at Flickr and he also features at YouTube in a number of videos, with links to three given here:
Browser the Pine River Library Cat 1:43
Browser the Library Cat 2:49
Browser walking through the shelves 3:01
You can see that Browser is quite a 'celebrity cat'!

   PITTS LIBRARY
Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia

This library in Georgia is part of Andrew College. There are two cats, Andy Cat (outer) and Eudora. The latter, affectionately known as 'No-No', is named after the college's only female president, Eudora Hamilton Andes, and she likes to sleep among the books. Andy Cat, a handsome ginger-and-white boy, is named after the Pitts Library Card Catalog; he is said to entertain students, faculty and staff throughout the day.

   RICHLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Richland, Keokuk County, Iowa

In January 2005 a skinny little cat with an injured shoulder showed up at the Richland Library. Now, the skinny little thing, named Oliver, has grown into a twenty-pound (9 kg) permanent fixture at the library, venturing out only when necessary to go to the vet or get his fur trimmed.

   SALEM COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Salem, Kenosha County, Wisconsin

On the eve of Thanksgiving in November 1995, a very cold night, a member of the library staff — who no longer works there — rescued a stray cat from a pond. She took her home and warmed her up, and next day took her in to work at the library as a temporary measure while she decided what to do with her. But the cat so charmed everyone that they decided to keep her as library cat, and she became an important member of the staff. She was named Maggie, although she was often referred to as their 'princess'.
     Maggie usually lived in the Technical Services area, a part of the library not open to the public, but sometimes she would mosey out into the public area to greet patrons, usually shortly before closing time. She also became 'tour guide' on the library's Children's Corner internet page (now discontinued in that form). She became a well-known and much loved fixture at the library for the next 15 years or so until, early in 2010, one of the library board members complained about her presence and wanted her to be evicted. The reason was not so much for the usual one given of causing allergies to patrons, although it was said she might do so, but because this person objected to Maggie being supported by taxpayers' dollars, and said that cats didn't belong in libraries anyway.
     The story was picked up by the local paper, the Kenosha News, which also published online — resulting in a storm of protest from readers — and was also covered in television news. The consensus of the board was that in fact many libraries had cats — notable Dewey of Iowa — and that as Maggie had been there for 15 years she deserved to live out her days there. She was quite old, on a special diet, and in any case rarely went into the public part of the establishment. Another board member personally paid a vet's bill.
     It's not clear how things would have ended, but in fact Maggie took the matter into her own paws, as it were, by dying in June 2010. Her age was uncertain, but was estimated at between 15 and 18 years. Her passing was marked on the library's website — and unfortunately there will be no further cats at Salem.
FOX 6 News Report on the eviction controversy, with footage of Maggie, May 2010

   SEASIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Seaside, Clatsop County, Oregon

Seaside is a town of some 6,000 people in Clatsop County, in the western US state of Oregon. Beautiful white cat Neo came to the library in about 2003. After moving into a new building in 2008, some staff and patrons experienced symptoms consistent with 'sick building syndrome' — but the director and city management dismissed them or attributed them to the flu season, pollen or cat dander. Tests conducted by professionals, though, determined that the main causes were inadequate air exchange and filtering. The expense of correcting these issues was deemed too great. In spite of no evidence that Neo was to blame, the director stated that the cat must go. A member of the staff was given two weeks to find her a new home. Articles appeared in local papers and Neo was relocated to an assisted living centre.
     Late in 2010 the centre felt it could not continue to keep Neo, because of staff shortages. At a library board meeting in early November the case was put for the cat to return to her proper home in the library, but in spite of strong support from staff and patrons the board was adamant that she could not return. That seems most unjust, as she is not to blame for the library's problems. However, we were delighted to hear that Neo was subsequently found a good, permanent home away from the library.

   SEYMOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Auburn, Cayuga County, New York State

Librarian Mr Stephen Erskine told us that Seymour Library's cats Dewey (top) and Paige — known locally as 'the urchins' — were in fine shape in mid-2006 and were about 4 years old then, having been adopted as kittens in 2002. They 'live a pampered life in the literary world'. Nicknamed 'Little Dewey' and 'Little Missus', both cats enjoy a brushing and a rub-down; Paige, in particular, needs only to see the brush to come running! The Seymour Library is in the town of Auburn, county seat of Cayuga County in New York State.

   SPENCER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Spencer, Clay County, Iowa

As many cat lovers will know, the story of Spencer's beloved library cat, Dewey Readmore Books, has 'gone global' since the publication of former library director Vicki Myron's book about him. But Dewey had a separate page all of his own here at Purr 'n' Fur prior to his death, as he had already achieved a certain fame during his lifetime and even then was the best-known of American library cats.
Read about Dewey in our Famous Felines section: the page has further photos and many links to more information.

   SWANSEA FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts

A cat who lived to be 19 and was a real favourite at Swansea was Spooky (top), who died in 2004. She liked to spend much of her time at the circulation desk greeting patrons; when she got tired she would retreat to a favoured chair or to a warm spot like the top of the photocopier. She was quite a local celebrity, featuring in newspaper and TV reports.
     Her successor is Penny, a handsome grey tabby taken on during 2005. She also likes the circulation desk, enjoys greeting patrons and loves spending time with the staff. Her hobbies are said to include chewing elastic bands and fake plastic plants, chewing the long rubber phone cable, and playing on the stairs leading down to the children’s room. Penny is said to be a great purrer.

   THORNTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Thorntown, Boone County, Indiana

Previously an outdoor cat, handsome red tabby Tober moved indoors to become Boss Library Cat in November 2008. His name derives from Oc-Tober, when he first appeared on the scene. He likes catnip, tummy rubs, treats, soft chairs, and naps. He has a very entertaining blog from where there are links to many of his feline blogging friends and also many great photos of him, some of which have been used here. Tober frequently comments on how he needs to discipline the human staff after various misdemeanours, and generally keep them in order!

   UMATILLA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Umatilla, Lake County, Florida

Umatilla is a small settlement of some 2,500 inhabitants in Lake County, Florida. The public library did have two cats, Dewey (top) and Page. However, they became victims of budget cuts and a decree by the town authorities that no animals are to be housed on business premises.
     Dewey was a very pale-coloured longhair of uncertain age; she originally came to the library because her mistress was unable to go on caring for her. Dewey wasn't too keen on meeting the public, preferring to remain in the offices at the back where she could stretch out and look glamorous; she loved the librarians, though, and was always keen to 'help' them with their paperwork whenever possible.
     Page was a mischievous youngster of some 3 years old in 2006, rescued from the nearby Highway 19 when just a few days old. As seen from the photos she used to find the computer quite fascinating and was always ready to lend a helping hand when it was in use; she was even known to 'type' on the keyboard and watch the letters move across the screen!
     The two cats generally got on well, and despite the occasional spat would cuddle up together to sleep. Sometimes one or other managed to set off the library alarm system, keeping the alarm company on their toes (but they were very understanding). When they could no longer remain at the library the retired head librarian took them in. By 2010 Page had died, but Dewey was said to be 'as happy as a clam' in her new home.
Our thanks to librarian, now library director, Laurel Gainer for originally supplying the photos and information about the cats in 2006, and updating us with news in 2010.

   VALLEY CENTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Valley Center, Sedgwick County, Kansas

Pages came to live at the Valley Center Public Library in June 2010, after she was found outside the door one day and no one came to claim her. There was some controversy about whether she should stay, but she had many supporters and following much deliberation by the library board, it was agreed that she could remain. After she had been living there for some time, the local news station wanted to come and do a story, so she got lots of attention and tons of treats from library patrons! There's a delightful news clip of her at YouTube.
     Since her TV debut Pages has received quite a bit of fan mail, and has been able to meet many new patrons who have come in to see her. Inspired by her fame, she has started a blog so that her fans can see what she's up to. She is always there to greet staff when they arrive in the morning, and spends most days lounging in her favourite chair, or warming her fur in the sun — that is, unless it's time to walk up and down the bookshelves to check things out, or to play a game of tag with one of the patrons. She seems to love living in the library, and has certainly proved to be a great attraction for many patrons.
Many thanks to library director Janice Sharp and to Erin for providing the information about Pages.

   WILLAMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Willamina, Yamhill and Polk Counties, Oregon

Agie, short for 'Agatha Christie', was the resident calico cat at the library in the town of Willamina, where she had been since 1998. She loved snoozing on the newspapers that are often left spread out on reading tables, but was said also to like being surrounded by books featuring felines! Agie was another library cat who has caused controversy simply by being there. At the end of 2005 the city council decided — without consultation — that Agie should be evicted, together with two hamsters that were also loved by local children. A determined and sustained battle was mounted by Agie's many supporters and, following a temporary reprieve, the council finally agreed that the cat (but not the hamsters) could remain in post for the rest of her life. However, late in 2010 she was accused of biting a young child, and the library was given two weeks to find her a new home. It seems a strange accusation, as Agie was very used to children, was declawed and had hardly any remaining teeth. We are delighted to learn, though, that she went to a new and loving home out in the country — after the library had given her a farewell party!

   WILLET MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

The library — full name the Lucy Lester Willet Memoral Library — is part of the prestigious Wesleyan College for women. Ever since 1985, Squeakers (top) was cat in residence; in her earlier years she would spend much of her time (when not hunting in the extensive grounds, that is) on her perch at the top of the library steps, so that she could greet students as they entered, and receive a stroke or a scratch under the chin in return. For the last nine years or so of her life she spent more of her time indoors, and gained a new vantage point — a soft chair near the entrance, so she could continue her greeting duties. Students came and students went, but Squeakers was there to greet them all and give comfort and friendship when needed.
     This library matriarch died in April 2008, to be very much mourned by all the many who had encountered her. She wrote A Day in the Life of Squeakers before her death. Now there's a memorial stone dedicated to her in the library courtyard, placed in the shade of a beautiful Japanese maple where the cat spent many happy hours. There was a memorial service held for her near the tree; it was officiated by the college chaplain, Reverend Bill Hurdle, and more than thirty faculty, staff and students attended. Squeakers has also been lovingly remembered with gifts to the library and to the college.
     There is now a new library feline called Libris, a young 'tuxedo' cat who has a lot to live up to but looks as though he could quickly become a favourite too!
Source for Libris images: cmcgough at Flickr

   WILLIAM ANDREWS CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Los Angeles, California

Part of UCLA, the University of California, Los Angeles, and housing one of the most important collections of 17th- and 18th-century English literature in the world, this library could be the record-holder for library cats — in late 2010 there were five plus an occasional visitor. The library is situated in its own grounds and is surrounded by a brick wall, so is well suited to being the cats' home. Until recently there were two others: Clarissa, who died of old age in November 2009, and Hannah, who died in December 2010. Both are buried in the grounds next to Mr Clark's Boston terrier [I wonder what the dog would have thought of that! — Ed.]. As the principal 'greeter', Hannah (top two images), a friendly cat named after eighteenth-century playwright, novelist and poet Hannah More, will be much missed — see the memorial post at the library's blog. She was the only really domesticated cat in the group, the others being semi-feral, and she was that rare beast, a female red tabby. Hannah was known for interrupting conferences and concerts alike if she felt she wasn't getting enough attention, and would force her way into the library at times if she wanted to visit the staff.
     Molly is Hannah's daughter, but is shyer; she's named after the character Moll Flanders. Then there is Belinda, mother of Sophia (after a character in Tom Jones), and Mr B, who always likes to stay close to his mother. Belinda, now probably around 15 years old, was also Clarissa's mother. The fifth cat is Jett, who is jet-black, and then there is occasional visitor Shandy. He might become more permanent now that there are 'vacancies' following the loss of Hannah and Clarissa.