Dewey and Dudley are the resident library cats at Minneapolis Public Library in Minneapolis, KS. They were abandoned as kittens in the community garden and brought to our library to live two years ago. They have been kept up-to-date on shots and been fixed. Recently, the Board has decided to rehome the cats due to patron requests.

These cats have made an impact in our community. They make our small town library unique. I've seen patrons’ eyes light up when they interact with the cats, reminiscing about the pet they used to have or the one they have never been allowed to own. I’ve seen the cats motivate young, unconfident readers and comfort them through difficult times. People get excited to go to the library because of these cats.

While the library cats add responsibility to library operations, the benefit of their presence far outweighs that extra effort. Some patrons have health concerns and some dislike cats, but maybe a compromise can be achieved, such as a more thorough cleaning schedule or having a cat-free day to accommodate those individuals. I have grown attached to these cats and their place within our library. I am certain that other patrons enjoy their presence as well. To some, they are just cats, but to me, they make my library, home.

Please sign online or at the library and share if you agree!