Cats, libraries and book stores

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Cats, libraries and book stores

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1nandadevi
Redigerat: jan 15, 2014, 10:25 pm

Cats and books seem to have a natural affinity, usually in the sense that the former is lying on top of the latter. But what I'd like to explore here is the relationship between cats and libraries, and between cats and book stores as well for good measure.

Partly this is about bringing together in one place those links that exist to stories about libraries and book stores with cats. I use that term, 'with cats' quite deliberately. It wouldn't be right to say 'library cats' or 'book store cats' because that would convey a sense of subordination that no self respecting cat would stand for - and of course all cats are quintessentially self respecting. To call them 'cat book stores' would give the wrong impression entirely, and the term 'cat libraries' would convey a very odd picture indeed. Not so odd, however, that the concept hasn't taken off in that city of extreme convention and unconventionality, Tokyo. I'm referring to the 'cat cafes' where the citizenry do not come to borrow cats, but to borrow time with cats. It's all very cute (or to use the Japanese expression - 'kawaii'), but when you look at how those cafes operate you'd have to wonder that those cats don't dream of escaping one day to a book store or library where they'd get some peace and quiet.

Which leads to two further questions. The first is whether public institutions (we're talking libraries only now ...) should have animals. The arguments in favour are that animals have (more or less) proven therapeutic benefits which could be good for both patrons and staff, and that libraries have been distancing themselves from the sterile 'dusty' image of bygone years, so what better way to do that than bringing 'life' into the library. But the same arguments, followed to their natural conclusion would have animals in all workplaces (consistent with their safety), and see libraries take on some of the role of zoos (and museums while we're at it). Well actually I'd be in favour of both. Check out these workplaces, and this snake show that visits libraries.. But on the flip side, there are people with allergies and phobias, and those who simply like to go about their business without furry (or slithery) critters for company. Are they not entitled to expect their public institutions and workplaces to be free from them? And what about whether all of this is fair on the animals involved, are cats at risk even in the seemingly benign environment of libraries and book stores?

Are then there's the other question. Is it just libraries and book stores that have a natural affinity and historical association with cats? Are there other workplaces which have that distinction? Most of the literature and discussion about animals in the workplace talks about dogs, which is fine but this is a discussion about cats. I can think of at least one place though, and that is (or was) aboard ships. Curiously, in both cases (at least historically) it was the cat's ability to control rats and mice that brought them 'on board'. In fact the only cat to ever be awarded the prestigious Dickin Medal was a ship's cat (notice how old-fashioned that term is ...). Are there other workplaces that are cat friendly (a shop selling canaries?) that anyone else can think of?

See: Cats and Libraries.
See: Library Cats.
See: Cats and Book Stores.
See: More Cats and Book Stores.
See: Even More Cats and Book Stores.

See: Google search 'Libraries and Museums'.
See: Google search 'Cat Cafes'.
See: Google search 'Pets in the workplace benefits'

Any thoughts and links?

2krazy4katz
jan 15, 2014, 10:40 pm

Where in the world libraries do have cats:
http://www.ironfrog.com/catsmap.html

3nandadevi
Redigerat: jan 15, 2014, 11:34 pm

>2 krazy4katz: (krazy4katz) Extraordinary, thank you! There's a discussion elsewhere about literary tourism. If you weren't inspired by the notion to actually go on a tour to visit all/some of these cats 'at home', then at least this map would give you some ideas if you were 'in the neigborhood'.

4krazy4katz
jan 16, 2014, 12:32 am

I know. I wish our library had cats. We entertained the idea of suggesting it when we captured some fairly tame strays but ended up keeping them ourselves of course.

5fuzzi
jan 16, 2014, 8:05 am

6anna_in_pdx
jan 16, 2014, 11:39 am

Our huge downtown bookstore, Powell's, used to have a "store cat" position filled by "Fup" of blessed memory. She didn't actually work in the big bookstore, but in the "Technical Books" annex.

http://www.powells.com/fup/248.html

7Glassglue
jan 16, 2014, 12:14 pm

There are still a couple used bookstores here in Seattle which have cats roaming about, but there used to me several. There was one in particular in my neighborhood about 25 years ago (which is long gone) that always had black & white cats. I loved going there with my parents, walking on the creaky wooden floors and gazing at the kitties sleeping in sunbeams in the storefront windows.

My parents are readers- my father has a very large library of books. And they've always had cats. So I associate cats with books.

8nandadevi
jan 16, 2014, 5:29 pm

>7 Glassglue: 'sleeping in sunbeams' - beautifully evocative, and of course just what cats do best. Thanks for that ...

9BruceCoulson
jan 16, 2014, 5:31 pm

Dark Star Books has a store cat 'Mr. Ekko' that they sell pictures of in order to support Mr. Ekko's schemes of world conquest.

Of course, given his size, I suspect that conquest will be covering the world in his fur...

10fuzzi
jan 16, 2014, 8:01 pm

Our local bird watchers' store ("Wild Birds Unlimited") has at least one resident cat. He/she likes to sleep in the empty birdbaths that are on display.

http://www.wbu.com

11jessibud2
Redigerat: jan 16, 2014, 8:36 pm

Here in Toronto, Canada, we have a wonderful children's bookstore called Mabel's Fables. The real Mabel is a laid back yellow tabby cat. Although, in truth, the current Mable may be just the newest incarnation of Mable:

http://www.blogto.com/bookstores/mablesfables

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mabels-Fables-Bookstore/152236274807608

She's a lovely cat and it's the kind of bookstore that is difficult to leave, if you know what I mean...

12staffordcastle
Redigerat: jan 16, 2014, 11:41 pm

The Other Change of Hobbit in Berkeley has a large cat known as Shelob.

ETA: http://www.librarything.com/venue/3730/The-Other-Change-of-Hobbit

13anna_in_pdx
jan 17, 2014, 11:00 am

12: that is probably the greatest bookstore name ever. Love it.

14BruceCoulson
jan 17, 2014, 12:22 pm

#10

Our local WBU has a cat as well; do you think it's a requirement?

15fuzzi
jan 17, 2014, 1:02 pm

I don't know, but it makes sense...the store cats get to watch the birds feeding just outside the plate glass windows... ;)

16nandadevi
jan 17, 2014, 6:36 pm

#10 / #14

Well when I wrote this it was with tongue firmly planted in cheek ... "Are there other workplaces that are cat friendly (a shop selling canaries?) that anyone else can think of?" But it seems that life is indeed stranger than fiction. There are of course some great bird/cat friendship stories.

17staffordcastle
Redigerat: jan 17, 2014, 7:25 pm

#13
It is named after a book store in Southern California called "A Change of Hobbit"! Now, defunct, I believe.

http://www.wordservices.com/hobbit/

18guido47
jan 17, 2014, 7:51 pm

Thanks #17, That was a great nostalgic journey of a SF.

19fuzzi
jan 17, 2014, 10:30 pm

(17) Enjoyed reading that, wish there was more...

20Mr.Durick
Redigerat: jan 17, 2014, 11:21 pm

This thread just went too long without a photograph.



Robert

21LMHTWB
sep 21, 2014, 12:44 am

I know this is an old thread, but so what?! I lent my show cat to the local used bookstore, so that he could get some experience with strange noises and people. You can see he was very upset by the whole thing!

22tardis
sep 21, 2014, 12:53 am

>21 LMHTWB: He's gorgeous!

23fuzzi
sep 21, 2014, 9:52 am

>21 LMHTWB: thanks for bumping this thread! What a lovely cat.

24LMHTWB
sep 21, 2014, 12:48 pm

Thanks! Bodhi is special -- he's the one healthy cat I have among all my medically fragile rescues and he's a gift to my husband (who is sadly dying of COPD). Oh, and he's a general nut case!

25IreneF
sep 21, 2014, 1:37 pm

My daughter visited a cat cafe last time she was in Paris:
http://www.lecafedeschats.fr

26theretiredlibrarian
okt 31, 2014, 9:06 am

There's this lovely lady:

http://www.algonquinhotel.com/algonquin-cat

An antique store here in Waco has a resident black and white cat; I've never thought to ask the owner the cat's name, though. She has free roam of the entire store, but mostly hangs out in the windows and watches the activities in downtown Waco.

27anna_in_pdx
okt 31, 2014, 12:11 pm

Wow, that cat at the Algonquin is a beauty!

28fuzzi
Redigerat: jul 3, 2016, 8:42 am

Bump for this news story, a reprieve for a library cat being evicted:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/02/484111751/library-cats-job-is-...