US libraries accept pictures of cats for book fees

A library in the US is offering fur-givness

Public libraries in Massachusetts in the US are accepting pictures of cats in return for late or damaged books.

The scheme, 'Felines for Fee Forgiveness!', was set up by Worcester Public Library (WPL) as part of their cat-themed month of celebrations called March Meowness.

They said that during the month of March, people who have lost or damaged a book, can bring in a photograph, drawing, or magazine picture of a cat, and get their library cards reactivated.

Worcester Public Library also said it would accept 'honorary cats' as well: "you may show us a picture or drawing of a dog, raccoon, orca, capybara, or any other animal."

Just a few days after the scheme opened, the library had hundreds of items returned to them and now have a 'cat wall' where they are displaying the pictures of the cats sent in by people.

Speaking about why they set up the scheme WPL Executive Director Jason Homer said: "We found that many of our patrons may have items that were misplaced during the pandemic as schools shuttered and we entered quarantine,"

"We wanted to get everyone back in the library, and using our resources, and also wanted to create a really low barrier to get these fees forgiven." he said.

The WPL libraries do have a few rules for people returning books...

The returned books must be from a Worcester Public Library and not another library, and must have been lost or damaged for at least two months.

Also the library's managers will need to review whether or not they'll accept the cat picture if the person has failed to return five or more books in the past.

Some of the other cat-themed activities the library is running as part of March Meowness include: a screening of the 2019 movie Cats, a cat-eye make-up tutorial, a "de-stressing" hour of playing with shelter cats, DIY cat crafts, a scavenger hunt and more!

What do you think? Would the scheme encourage you to return a book? Let us know in the comments below!