Libraries are so much more than books. Sometimes, libraries are homes to guinea pigs and stray cats, but sorry, you can’t check them out.
Meet Cosmo, Moab’s famous library cat
When a stray cat sauntered into Grand County Public Library’s Moab branch nobody knew he was applying for a job. He was a cat on a mission, slipping inside the library every time the door opened.
After learning the cat’s family had abandoned him, the library staff were eager to adopt him. Cosmo thrived in his new library home. One evening, they found a little girl tucking Cosmo into a doll bed in the children’s room. “Cosmo just laid there patiently as she tucked the blankets under his chin, singing him a little lullaby. Luckily, we managed to tip-toe away before swooning,” says Jessie Magleby, Head of Adult Services.
“Cosmo is our number one library ambassador,” Magelby says. “He helps us present a welcoming face to the public and make friends. He makes everyone feel better just by being there; people get so excited when they spot him strolling through the library.”
Writing a weekly newspaper column, “Cosmo’s Corner“, for the Moab Sun News is Cosmo’s biggest responsibility. His librarian friends help him share library events and offerings in the local newspaper. When he’s not hard at work, he snoozes in his soft bed at the circulation desk, accepting pats and scritches from patrons and librarians.
Cosmo’s care is shared by the library staff. “Once, on a three day weekend, we made a chart to make sure he was being looked after, but it soon became clear that about eight of us were checking on him multiple times a day. Now we have to make sure he’s not being over-fed by his adoring servants,” says Magleby.
Are guinea pigs Utah’s top library pet?
Park City Library has kept guinea pigs for pets for the last 15 years. Katrina Kmak, Senior Youth Services Librarian, is one of two dedicated library staff who care for Pepe and Ginger, the library guinea pigs. “Our patrons LOVE our guinea pigs!” she exclaims. “They are housed in the children’s area, and kids will come specifically to visit with the guinea pigs.”
“I feel that having library pets reinforces the fact that the library belongs to everyone. Our piggies are the communities’ pets. This is our communities’ living room, and this building belongs to everyone.”
Katrina Kmak, Park City Library
Pleasant Grove City Library staff is welcomed each morning by Strawberry and Cream, two rescued guinea pigs named by their library patrons.
During Love Your Library Month, Strawberry and Cream were mentioned many times as a reason patrons love Pleasant Grove City Library. “From the moment the girls entered the library, they’ve been nothing but loved!” says Emery Gray, Assistant Librarian and the piggies main caregiver.
“The guinea pigs bring a sort of enchantment and wonder to the library,” muses Gray. “Any time the girls make a sound, our children’s floor goes silent (not an easy feat) and everyone just loves hearing what they have to say.” The children feel a sense of ownership towards the library’s pets, bringing Strawberry and Cream approved treats, and making sure they are happy and comfortable in their library home.
The children’s curiosity about the library’s guinea pigs encourages them to learn about pet care. “I get asked all sorts of questions about them because many kids have never been exposed to a guinea pig”, explains Gray. Books about guinea pigs and other small pets fly off library shelves.
Whether feline or rodent, these library pets help patrons feel welcomed, entertain library staff, and evoke a sense of fun in their library. Now, how does the Utah State Library find a library pet?