Archive for April, 2011

Barney’s big day full of test-taking, treat-eating

April 25, 2011 By: kwilliams Category: Cats and reading, Cats in the Stacks, Kids and library cats

SUSAN LOESCH

After waiting patiently while Shadow was on the job for several times Barney finally got his  chance.

When we got out of the car, his friend Trinity met us and carried him up to the Library. The last time Barney was here was last June. It’s been a long time!

The kids wasted no time getting reacquainted with Barn! Mary soon joined us, and Barney started the day with pets and treats. After a couple of good morning “Rahrrs,” Barney settled in like he’d never been away. (more…)

New head cat making library his own

April 18, 2011 By: kwilliams Category: Cats and reading, Cats in the Stacks, Kids and library cats

SUSAN LOESCH

A new week, and it’s back to work for Shadow, head library cat at Arkansas School for the Blind.

The excitement hasn’t worn off for either the kids or Shadow. He is, however, settling back into the job, and there are signs that he already feels like it is his library.

One of the things he does first every morning is knock one of Big Footsie’s photos down the book return. He then makes sure my computer is working. That involves standing on the keyboard and making sure he gets just the right “beep, beep,  beep.” Sometimes it takes lying on the keyboard to be sure.
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Kids welcome back long-absent library cat

April 11, 2011 By: kwilliams Category: Cats and reading, Cats in the Stacks, Celebrations, Kids and library cats

SUSAN LOESCH

Cold and clear with temperatures in the 50s. A typical Arkansas late winter day. Inside the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, however, there was no cold and nothing typical about the day!

This was the first day since last May that we had cats finally back in our library stacks. The school was abuzz with excitement.

Students had known before spring break that Shadow would be at school this week, and his visit was happily anticipated by everyone from first grade through 12th. (more…)