Gone are the days of libraries being filled with stern looks, silent corridors, and librarians who walk about saying “shh!” to everyone. A Massachusetts library is making a strong case for this with a whisker of fun and a paw-full of innovation.

The Worcester Public Library in Worcester has announced its March Meowness that’s all about bringing readers back to the library, even if they have lost or damaged items. And to claim this offer, the only thing one has to do is present a picture, a drawing, or even a magazine clipping of a cat.

Yes, that’s right. A fluffy kitty can clear one’s dues at the library because March Meowness is all about championing “Felines for Fee Forgiveness.”

“Got fees for lost or damaged Worcester Public Library items?” the library wrote on its website. “Show us a picture of a cat (any cat)* and we will forgive your fees.”

The Massachusetts library said they want readers back in the library and made it clear that unpaid dues need not stop them from doing so. Hence, they came up with the program to encourage readers to come back by enticing them with the promise of fee forgiveness for the simple price of showing a cat picture. Not only does this let people share their love for cuddly felines, but it also adds a bit of whimsy and fun to the idea of going back to the library.

A Massachusetts library is adding a whisker of fun with its new program for the month

Image credits: Worcester Public Library

“We want you back at the library, so we are offering one month of fee forgiveness for lost or damaged items from the Worcester Public Library! Show us a picture of your cat, a famous cat, a picture you drew of a cat, a shelter cat — any cat, and we will forgive WPL fees on your library account,” the library wrote on its website.

“We understand accidents can happen, and sometimes, fees might hold you back from fully using your public library. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate March Meowness at all of our Worcester Public Library locations,” the message continued.

The library’s Executive Director Jason Homer spoke about the initiative and said people can even bring in pictures of tigers and lions.

“Even if you don’t have a cat in your life, you can still draw one,” Jason told WBUR. “Even if it’s one of the big cats, like a tiger or a lion, and we’ll be excited to see those.”

The Worcester Public Library is allowing people to clear their dues with cat pictures

Image credits: llbarch

He also explained that March Meowness is a month-long program that includes not just forgiving dues but other cat-themed activities throughout the month. A cat eye makeup tutorial, a talk from a certified cat behaviorist, DIY cat toy sessions, and a plethora of other purr-fectly delightful activities are in the lineup for the month.

“We librarians love our cats,” Jason told the outlet. “We’re really leaning in on the fact that, all in all, librarians are cat people… So we thought, ‘Let’s lean in on the joke. Let’s be part of the joke, and let’s have fun together.'”

Since many people lost their books during the pandemic, either while moving or because they were locked inside deserted classrooms for months, Jason explained that the library wants to give people another chance. “We know life gets in the way,” he said.

“We at the Worcester Public Library are always looking for ways to reduce barriers,” Jason told WBUR. “We know that a lot of people, unfortunately, through being displaced in housing or life getting in the way in the global pandemic, lost a lot of materials.”

The library’s March Meowness has already become a hit within days

Image credits: Jamie Taylor

So far, March Meowness has proved to be an absolute hit with the Massachusetts library, even before we’re finished with the very first week of the month.

As of Monday, Jason said that roughly 400 people have returned to the library’s threshold after showing up with pictures and drawings of felines. And the same number of people have had their library accounts unblocked or their borrowing privileges restored.

The library now has a growing “cat wall” on their premises, which is brimming with photos and drawings brought in by readers.

“We take a lot of honorary cats,” Jason was quoted saying. “Any ungovernable animal.”

“We librarians love our cats,” said the library’s executive director

Image credits: Zekai Zhu

Jason really meant it when he said one really does not have to be a cat-parent to make this work.

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In one case, a 7-year-old boy with no cat at home was pardoned for losing a “Captain Underpants” book from the library and also had his library card reactivated, and this was made possible after the library staff provided him with paper and crayons to sketch a cat in any way he liked.

Jason also explained that March Meowness has helped them break the stereotype of librarians always being uptight.

“We don’t really have the high buns and ‘shush’ people anymore,” he said. “We are still book lovers, cardigan lovers, and cat lovers.”

The library also hopes to change the image that people have about libraries through March Meowness

Image credits: Harry Grout

As the Worcester Public Library announced the beginning of their March Meowness month, they revealed that they have plenty of cat-themed programs in store for people throughout the month, starting with their kick-off celebration that was held on March 2.

“Learn how you can get involved with the Worcester Animal Rescue League and Second Chance Animal Services, make cat toys (for your own cat or to donate to shelter cats), vote in our March Meowness bracket, check out some cat titles, and have your fees for any lost or damaged items forgiven,” the library wrote on Facebook.

The internet agreed that mixing cats and libraries is like pairing up two of the best things in life

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