In a world more and more dominated by expertise, synthetic intelligence, and digital actuality, it could be straightforward to imagine that libraries can be going the best way of the dinosaurs. In truth, removed from heading into extinction, many libraries are evolving to grow to be simply as related and important to communities as they had been earlier than the web.
Removed from being musty, beige buildings the place silence was golden and enjoyable was banned, trendy libraries have grow to be locations the place communities can come collectively to be taught new hobbies, expertise, and languages, get match, make some associates, or fall in love! After all, your native library nonetheless has books, however you is likely to be stunned to search out what else they’ve occurring.
Cats to the Rescue
Final 12 months, Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts discovered one other method to deliver again a few of their estranged members with a seemingly minor promotion that turned a worldwide phenomenon.
After realizing that they’d hundreds of library accounts that had been deactivated through the years because of unpaid late charges, the oldsters at WPL got here up with a enjoyable method to welcome them again, fee-free. Though guide fines had been eradicated in 2020, many individuals had been reluctant to return again to the library for worry of the high quality that awaited them for that Garden Bowls guide they forgot to return again in 1982. Enter, March Meowness.
The premise was easy: should you wished to return again to the library, as an alternative of paying your charges, all you needed to do was submit a cute cat picture. It didn’t even need to be your cat. Little did they know that this straightforward scheme would go viral.
The tip end result was over 4000 reinstated library accounts, an enormous surge in new and present members coming to discover what the library needed to supply, and better of all, greater than 10,000 cat pictures!
March Meowness 2.0 – Marchy-er and Meowy-er
With the unprecedented success of March Meowness 2024, the staff at WPL have felt the strain of following up with an even bigger, higher, and meowy-er March promotion for 2025, and it seems to be an enormous one! This 12 months, the library needs you to point out them your cat, and for each picture they obtain, the Worcester Public Library Basis will donate $1 towards summer season programming for all ages.
They are going to settle for:
- Footage of your cat, a well-known cat, a shelter cat, your buddy’s cat
- Drawings of cats
- Honorary cats are additionally welcome – canine, raccoons, and even your favourite capybara!
Simply deliver your image to any WPL location, e mail it to comms@mywpl.org, or share it on any WPL social media. You should definitely tag @catstermag so we will share within the enjoyable!
Extra Feline Enjoyable
Along with their image promotion, WPL have an action-packed calendar of feline-themed actions for young and old alike, together with make-your-own cat suncatcher, magnet portray, and stained-glass cats. They will even have foster cats visiting for the teenagers and an opportunity to call the WPL new cat mascot!
If you happen to’re within the Worcester area, get all the way down to your WPL department and become involved within the cat-loving group. If you happen to’re not an area, you don’t need to miss out on the enjoyable. Get artistic, get your cat footage in by March thirty first, and assist put some smiles on faces. And should you suppose you’ve received the right title for the Worcester mascot, you’ve till March 14th to submit your concept – the winner might be introduced on the finish of the month.
If it’s been some time because you checked out your native library – perhaps you’ve by no means been – you may need to see what’s modified. They’re not your grandparent’s libraries!
