Library Cats: A Heartwarming Story

It was the winter of 1987, and a Minnesota blizzard swirled madly outside Phyllis Lahti’s home when she heard the pitiful cries of a cat outside her door.

Read the rest of this inspiring story, here:

Although the distressed tabby was covered with sores and bite marks, Phyllis recognized him as one of the street cats she regularly fed. Because her two resident cat companions made it clear they welcomed the formerly homeless feline about as much as a trip to the vet, the librarian took Royal Reggie (so named because of his “royal bearing,” says Phyllis) to live at her place of work, the Bryant Public Library in Sauk. There, he established himself as the library’s Cat in Residence, with the reference room being his preferred spot.

Although by no means the first cat to inhabit a library, Reggie served as the inspiration for Phyllis to found The Library Cat Society, whose dozens of member libraries have provided safe havens for many a cat left in library parking lots or dumped in book-return chutes. In the group’s newsletter, Phyllis describes the society’s aim: “to advocate the establishment of cats in libraries and recognize the need to respect and to care for library cats.”

As she wrote in the anthology, Cats, Librarians, and Libraries: Essays for and About the Library Cat Society, “The library office can, after all, serve as a refuge for the library cat. It should not lean toward the overly organized, and when possible it should have an inviting open desk or cabinet drawer for catnapping. It need not have a window box, but having one can be therapeutic, both for the cat who is reclining on it and the observer who is watching the cat.”

Do you know a library that could benefit from the addition of a Library Cat?

Read more: Pets, Cats, Humor & Inspiration

Adapted from Kirsten Rosenberg‘s story in Speaking Out for Animals, Kim W. Stallwood, ed. (Lantern Books, 2001). Copyright (c) 2001 by Kim W. Stallwoood. Reprinted by permission of Lantern Books.
Adapted from Kirsten Rosenberg‘s story in Speaking Out for Animals, Kim W. Stallwood, ed. (Lantern Books, 2001).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathy P.

12:00AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

What a wonderful article and great idea. Cats belong in a library and bookstore. They are great therapy and would not bother anyone that did not want to be bothered. This would save so many cats from shelters and certain death.

send a green star

Douglas S.

9:12AM PST on Feb 4, 2012

Thanks

Susan S.

7:26PM PST on Feb 3, 2012

I am equally impressed by a book store where a cat lives, and it seems that cats and books belong together. They definitely will help with any mice issues.

Adrianne P.

5:36AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

Cats are awesome

Lynn S.

11:54PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I had my own "library" cat. I read a lot and my one cat would bite the covers of books I was reading until I read aloud to him from the book. After 5 or 10 minutes, he would curl up beside me and go to sleep, contentedly purring.

Cats and books go together. My current 3 cats love to use a book as a pillow.

If you like a very fast read and mysteries, read The Cat Who books by Lillian Braun or read the book Stewie (sorry can't remember the name of the author) about a librarie cat.

Rachael M.

8:04PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I wish my libraries had cats. Our local animal shelters are overflowing with cats.
A similar idea I've heard about are nursing home cats. In places such as senior's homes, having a couple resident cats can be beneficial to the resident's emotional and mental well-being since it gives them an animal to interact with and talk to.

Jay D.

5:20PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

EVERY LIBRARY SHOULD HAVE A HOMELESS CAT. THEY COULD WORK AS MOUSERS OR DECORATION. THEY COULD RAISE THEIR PAWS TO THOSE WHO MAKE TOO MUCH NOISE AND WATCH OUT IF YOU RETURN A BOOK LATE

Kathy K.

1:55PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

Unfortunately, the Library Cat Society no longer exists. But Gary Roma at http://www.ironfrog.com/ still maintains the map of libraries with current or former library cats. If you know of one, you can email him to add him/her.

R Anna B.

9:34AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

By the way: I am in love with the cat at the top of the article!!!

9:31AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I worked for many a year in the appalling British Library in London (or more correctly Brutish Library): one of the worst places I have worked. They would be horrified to have a cat there. They live in a synthetic, invented world of their own and they couldn't care less for their valuable books. Their only interest is to make money from their giftshop, restaurant, cafés ...
A family entrusted them a diary of the 18th century with great historical value because they fear of not having the resources to keep it in perfect condition ... only to find it later with many pages covered with oil!! The case was in the national press. Their official comment? "We care a lot about our collections". Well, I saw enough over there.
But a cat: God forbid!!!