My first cats were Scout and Boo. This nod to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird happened as I was fresh out of college as a ripe, young English major with books on the brain. Fast forward a few years later and I still have books on the brain — and cats, too, for that matter — and I’m not the only one.

Libraries around the world invite our four-legged friends (even various fish and fowl!) into their buildings, and not just in the pages of a book. Some strays find permanent homes among the stacks, while other critters provide a much-needed service to the community in the form of therapy pets. Many libraries that were once animal-free spaces (not counting service animals) have embraced the animal kingdom in favor of the proven stress relief benefits and educational advantages. Plus, those lovable little faces happen to be excellent ambassadors for the library.

The purr-ks of library pets

Getting kids in the building can often be the first step to creating lifelong library users. Animals like the bearded dragon, Dart (short for D’artagnan from The Three Musketeers) who lives at Central Elementary School in Hillsborough (NC) greets many excited students who eagerly stop by for a visit, but he also teaches responsibility in animal care and even provides an opportunity for a STEM lesson.

For other kids, reading out loud can be scary. Penny, the reading therapy dog at Charlton Public Library (MA) is all ears, ready to listen and provide comfort to reluctant readers. The calming presence helps reduce anxiety and adds positivity and fun to a task that can be difficult and overwhelming.

Whether they’re reptilian or mammalian, the best part about animals is that there’s no judgement and kids reap the social and emotional benefits. But it’s not just kids — Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich (IL) offers robotic pets to their assisted living and memory care facilities to entertain older adult residents. These interactions improve cognitive function and memory, especially for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Meet a few library pets

For all the good they do us, we just couldn’t resist these good boys and girls in all of their floof and feathered glory. Here’s a few cute creatures that have brought joy to their libraries:

Libby, the digital reading dog

Libby, the facility dog at Hoover Public Library (AL) was bashful, but loves her bandana!

Photo courtesy of Hoover Public Library

Browser, the library cat for life

White Settlement Public Library (TX) adopted a cat to help control the library’s rodent population. After an eviction attempt, the city rallied by collecting over 1,000 signatures for a petition in favor of keeping the cat.

Mo, the lovable library dog

Mo can be found most days at the Augusta Public Library (WI) and is frequently inquired after by library patrons.

Photo courtesy of Augusta Public Library

Browser, the friendliest cat

Pine River Library (CO) had a longtime mascot, Browser, who could often be found lounging on the checkout counter and spending time with patrons.

Yoda, the guard owl

Yoda, the European eagle owl, was awarded his very own library card in recognition of his hard work chasing seagulls away from the University of Bath campus. Yoda’s presence dissuaded gulls from nesting — when they can become territorial and aggressive.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Jordan, the campus cult hero cat

Named after a 12th century Saint, the University of Edinburgh Library (Scotland) cat resides in the library and has become a beloved fixture among students and staff.

Isambard, the librarian’s cat

This hypoallergenic Siberian Forest Cat at Lady Margaret Hall in Oxford sits next to the oldest book in the college library. You can follow Isambard's adventures on Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Sasha, the therapy poodle

Neuschafer Community Library (WI)‘s therapy dog named Sasha visited regularly and gave children a chance to practice their reading skills.

Paws in the pages

Read about some of the real and fictional library pets that have captured patrons’ hearts:

ADULT

Dewey by Vicki Myron

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. On the coldest night of the year in Spencer, Iowa, at only a few weeks old — a critical age for kittens — he was stuffed into the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next 19 years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

Bookish high-school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then, a talking cat appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and the cat and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners.

Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different mazes to set books free. Their adventures culminate in one final, unforgettable challenge — the last maze that awaits leads Rintaro down a realm only the bravest dare enter.

A Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James

Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows Charlie Harris, the good-natured librarian with a rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel that he walks on a leash. He’s returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but soon enough he’s entangled in a real-life thriller.

A famous author of gory bestsellers and a former classmate of Charlie’s, Godfrey Priest may be the pride of Athena, but Charlie remembers him as an arrogant, manipulative jerk. Godfrey’s homecoming as a distinguished alumnus couldn’t possibly go worse: by lunch, he’s put a man in the hospital. By dinner, Godfrey’s dead.

Now it’s up to Charlie, with some help from Diesel, to paw through the town’s grudges and find the killer before an impatient deputy throws the book at the wrong person. But every last one of Charlie’s friends and co-workers had a score to settle with the nasty novelist. As if the murder wasn’t already purr-plexing enough…

KIDS

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

Madeline Finn DOES NOT like to read. Not books. Not magazines. Not even the menu on the ice cream truck. But Madeline Finn DOES want a gold star from her teacher. Stars are for good readers. Stars are for understanding words. And saying them out loud. Fortunately, Madeline Finn meets Bonnie, a library dog. Reading out loud to Bonnie isn't so bad. When Madeline Finn gets stuck, Bonnie doesn't mind. Madeline Finn can pet her until she figures the word out. As it turns out, it's fun to read when you're not afraid of making mistakes. Bonnie teaches Madeline Finn that it's okay to go slow. And to keep trying. Just like the sticker says.

Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk

Sam's home was in a little hole in the wall in the children's reference books section, and he thought that life was very good indeed. For Sam loved to read. He read picture books and chapter books, biographies and poetry, and ghost stories and mysteries. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself! Sam shared his books with other library visitors by placing them on a bookshelf at night. Until there came the time that people wanted to meet this talented author. Whatever was Sam to do?

Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro

Bunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night...through the library’s book drop! What follows is an adorable caper that brings an inquisitive, fuzzy bunny and his woodland pals up close and personal with the books they have grown to love.

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons

Clarisse is a clever cat who loves books. She may not understand the dark, squiggly lines, but she can't get enough of the pictures. One day, she stumbles upon a magical building where people walk in empty-handed and come out with an armload of books. She has to find a way inside!

There's just one problem: NO CATS are allowed in the library! That's not going to stop clever Clarisse, though. Once she sneaks in, she stumbles upon exciting new stories and even helps a little girl practice reading aloud. But when the librarian comes looking, will Clarisse be allowed to stay?

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

Animals and libraries can be a paw-fect match, bringing curiosity, comfort, and companionship to every book lover they meet.