BellaOnline Forums Career Library Sciences Animals In Libraries

How do you feel about animals in libraries? I'm not talking service animals, but pets of patrons or a library pet.

Animals in Libraries single choice
	Patrons should be able to bring in their pets.
	Libraries should be able to have a library cat or dog.
	Fish are okay, but nothing with fur or feathers.
	No animals of any kind.
	Unsure
Votes accepted starting: 04/03/09 10:43 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I am a library person. In fact, I'm a member of the Friends of the Library. The library is like a sanctuary, peace and quiet. Granted we meet people there and there is a certain amount of socialization but it shouldn't be anything and everything goes. Some people are allergic to animals also.

Despite that charming book about Dewey the Library Cat, I think that libraries should be animal free. Librarians have enough to do without having to care for library pets, (my large and very highly rated county library is having to close some branches during the week because they can't afford to staff them, and they have cut way back on the numbers of librarians) and patrons with allergies shouldn't have to wonder if they dare come in to the library. Plus, people with pets can't always be counted on to keep them under control.
I love my 2 kitties but have no desire to haul them around with me as I run errands!

The "peace and quiet" of libraries is already loud enough these days especially after school. Animals would just make it crazier. Besides the thought of having an animal go "oops" would be horrible.

I really like the idea of a peaceful fishtank in a corner, with pretty fish swimming serenely around. But I wouldn't want a cat or dog that could bother someone with allergies. A library should be a sanctuary for everyone.

It is funny that Claybird mentioned it, because I happen to be reading "Dewey" right now, LOL!

It really just depends on the animal, whether the staff is willing to put in the care, and whether the library is equipped with a filtration system to cut down on allergies.

I know my son's Kindergarten class has 2 guinea pigs (and my class in 4th grade had one) - it is part of teaching the children responsibility, nurturing and caring. You can visibly see these kids relax around these animals when they are little bolts of energy all the rest of the day!

As long as they're not hamsters in a library running around on a noisy little wheel all day long!

The Homewood Public Library in Alabama is in a renovated church. Where the baptistry was is a large aquarium. It's very peaceful.

One of the departments has a huge fish tank. It is quite lovely and while you are sitting waiting for someone to meet with you. Someone does need to take care of the tank and be responsible. We have a pet friendly mall too. But, there is a time and place for everything.

I can see a non-noise making "animal" like a fish or a turtle. As long as the tank is kept clean.