Cats, libraries and book stores
DiskuteraCats, books, life is good.
Bara medlemmar i LibraryThing kan skriva.
Denna diskussion är för närvarande "vilande"—det sista inlägget är mer än 90 dagar gammalt. Du kan återstarta det genom att svara på inlägget.
1nandadevi
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?
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
Where in the world libraries do have cats:
http://www.ironfrog.com/catsmap.html
http://www.ironfrog.com/catsmap.html
3nandadevi
>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
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.
6anna_in_pdx
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
http://www.powells.com/fup/248.html
7Glassglue
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.
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
>7 Glassglue: 'sleeping in sunbeams' - beautifully evocative, and of course just what cats do best. Thanks for that ...
9BruceCoulson
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...
Of course, given his size, I suspect that conquest will be covering the world in his fur...
10fuzzi
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
http://www.wbu.com
11jessibud2
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...
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
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
ETA: http://www.librarything.com/venue/3730/The-Other-Change-of-Hobbit
13anna_in_pdx
12: that is probably the greatest bookstore name ever. Love it.
14BruceCoulson
#10
Our local WBU has a cat as well; do you think it's a requirement?
Our local WBU has a cat as well; do you think it's a requirement?
15fuzzi
I don't know, but it makes sense...the store cats get to watch the birds feeding just outside the plate glass windows... ;)
16nandadevi
#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.
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
#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/
It is named after a book store in Southern California called "A Change of Hobbit"! Now, defunct, I believe.
http://www.wordservices.com/hobbit/
21LMHTWB
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
>21 LMHTWB: He's gorgeous!
23fuzzi
>21 LMHTWB: thanks for bumping this thread! What a lovely cat.
24LMHTWB
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
My daughter visited a cat cafe last time she was in Paris:
http://www.lecafedeschats.fr
http://www.lecafedeschats.fr
26theretiredlibrarian
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.
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
Wow, that cat at the Algonquin is a beauty!
28fuzzi
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-...
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/02/484111751/library-cats-job-is-...