Cats: literary whimsy

Cats on Bookshelves

The story of the library cat

‍Catbooking

In the world of books, cats are almost always presented as antagonists: sneaky, treacherous, and conniving creatures that lurk about until the perfect moment to strike. But if you look a little closer and beyond these generalizations, you will find there’s more to cats than their reputation suggests. In this story, we explore some interesting facts about cats and books. So read on to discover more about library cats, how they inspired authors and readers, and why they continue to bring so much joy to our lives today.

Warning to readers

Some of the information presented here is not necessarily true. I present a world that is the way I like it, complete with history and documentation that perhaps may not stand up to rigorous academic scrutiny or even a quick Google search.

What is a library cat?

A library cat is a kitty that lives in a library. Unlike other house cats, library cats have been trained to fit into a specific environment like a library and behave in a way that is safe and appropriate for staff, visitors, and books. Library cats are usually adopted from animal rescue shelters and trained with the help of their new humans. The training sessions are designed to make the cats comfortable with their new surroundings and get them used to the sounds, smells, and movements of the library. Cats love to sit on bookshelves, especially in libraries where they are protected and safe. They are often found snoozing on a stack of textbooks or curled up on a musty old manuscript.

Why do libraries have cats?

The history of library cats dates back to the early 20th century. After the First World War, many librarians began to adopt kittens. They started to keep cats in libraries for three reasons: to catch rodents, to provide companionship, and to create a calm environment for readers. Throughout the years, this trend has expanded to libraries all over the world. There are now more than 130,000 library cats in the United States alone. More than 100,000 of these are registered in an online database created by the American Library Association.

Amazing things that library cats do

• Protect books from pests and mould: Library cats are not only great at keeping pests and rodents away, but they are also skilled at keeping books safe. Cats, especially tabbies, have a special enzyme in their saliva that kills pests and prevents mould from growing on books.
• Provide emotional support: Library cats can help readers to relax, lower blood pressure, and reduce feelings of anxiety and loneliness.
• Bring joy to all: Library cats also share their joy, happiness, and curiosity with staff, other readers, and even children who visit the library.

How books inspired by cats are being written

Library cats have inspired many books in the past, but recently there has been a surge of new titles that are all about cats. For example, “Library Cat” is a picture book written by Belgian author and illustrator François Thisdale. It tells the story of a library cat named Sverker who is “the most quiet and shy” member of the staff. There is also “The Book Cats” written by Brigid Delaney and illustrated by Louise Rogers. This book features eight real-life library cats from around the world, including Tilly in the State Library of Victoria, Australia, and Morris at the New York Public Library.

Final Words

Cats are the most popular pet in the United States and there are more than 100 million feline companions in American homes. Although we know so much about these adorable animals, there is still so much more to learn. Cats have been inspiring authors, readers, and librarians for generations, and there is no sign of this trend slowing down.

Duncan Klein via Writesonic

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