In a world more and more dominated by know-how, synthetic intelligence, and digital actuality, it could be straightforward to imagine that libraries can be going the way in which of the dinosaurs. In truth, removed from heading into extinction, many libraries are evolving to change into simply as related and very important to communities as they have been earlier than the web.
Removed from being musty, beige buildings the place silence was golden and enjoyable was banned, trendy libraries have change into locations the place communities can come collectively to study new hobbies, abilities, and languages, get match, make some mates, or fall in love! After all, your native library nonetheless has books, however you may 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 option to convey again a few of their estranged members with a seemingly minor promotion that turned a worldwide phenomenon.
After realizing that that they had hundreds of library accounts that had been deactivated through the years attributable to unpaid late charges, the parents at WPL got here up with a enjoyable option to welcome them again, fee-free. Though e book fines have been eradicated in 2020, many individuals have been reluctant to return again to the library for worry of the advantageous that awaited them for that Garden Bowls guide they forgot to return again in 1982. Enter, March Meowness.
The premise was easy: if you happen to needed to return again to the library, as a substitute of paying your charges, all you needed to do was submit a cute cat photograph. It didn’t even need to be your cat. Little did they know that this easy scheme would go viral.
The top outcome was over 4000 reinstated library accounts, an enormous surge in new and current members coming to discover what the library needed to supply, and better of all, greater than 10,000 cat photographs!
March Meowness 2.0 – Marchy-er and Meowy-er
With the unprecedented success of March Meowness 2024, the crew at WPL have felt the stress of following up with an even bigger, higher, and meowy-er March promotion for 2025, and it seems to be to be an enormous one! This 12 months, the library desires you to point out them your cat, and for each photograph they obtain, the Worcester Public Library Basis will donate $1 towards summer season programming for all ages.
They’ll 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 – canines, raccoons, and even your favourite capybara!
Simply convey your image to any WPL location, electronic mail it to comms@mywpl.org, or share it on any WPL social media. Make sure to 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 can even have foster cats visiting for the kids and an opportunity to call the WPL new cat mascot!
For those who’re within the Worcester area, get all the way down to your WPL department and become involved within the cat-loving neighborhood. For those who’re not an area, you don’t need to miss out on the enjoyable. Get artistic, get your cat photos in by March thirty first, and assist put some smiles on faces. And if you happen to assume you’ve bought the proper title for the Worcester mascot, you’ve gotten till March 14th to submit your thought – the winner will probably 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 would possibly need to see what’s modified. They’re not your grandparent’s libraries!
