SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

Barney was on the job first thing this morning and he has kept busy all day. After all, he has a lot to learn about being a library cat even if he does sport the title “Acting Head Library Cat!”

When he is ready for a break he heads to the stacks for a snooze, much like Alex did last fall when he first took over the job. It wasn’t long, though, before Alex was hanging out with us all day, and I imagine it will work the same with Barney.

He has already discovered Big Footsie’s prized green frog, with the bald spots Footsie created over the years by “kneading” the frog’s head. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

Our new oil portrait of Big Footsie continues to bring smiles to us all. One of my 6th graders looked at it for a long time and then said, “It looks like Footsie is looking right at me and sees me doing something wrong and is thinking ‘I’m gonna tell!’” We laughed about that.

Some of my secondary kids walk past the portrait on the front desk and tell Footsie hello.

My 4th graders crowded ’round and talked to Big Footsie and actually petted the painting. Then they wanted to have their picture taken with it. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

I brought something new to school with me this morning! Little Rock artist Rene Hein just completed a portrait of our Big Footsie in oil and it is now on the front desk for everyone to admire.

Mary and Lea showed it to Alex. He seemed to be appropriately impressed, and he rubbed the edge of it over and over to mark it with his scent. Was he possibly thinking, “Welcome back to your library, Footsie?”

Then all of a sudden he jumped down. (more…)