This week.

The Library has been broken this week. Our Evergreen library system--the book/DVD/magazine checker-inner and checker-outer we use--has been on the fritz. So the library ladies have been wearing their pencils to the nubs writing barcode numbers down so that people can still take things out.

The Evergreen thing is also how they catalog all the new books that come in the library. And it's how they issue new library cards. And it's how they FIND the books in the library. And it's how they assign call numbers to put stickers on the books.

So pretty much the ladies have been confused and helpless all week. Luckily they have had ME to keep them busy working.

In my office there is a big bag of kitty litter. It's not my usual stuff, so it's just been sitting propped up against the wall.

I thought I'd give somebody something to do, because that's the kind of Thoughtful Cat I am:


That took up a whole five minutes or so of down-time! They had to get the little broom and dustpan, and then the DustBuster, and then bag the kitty litter in a trash bag--I'm so glad I got to help out!

Here I'm admiring my handiwork:


Today they got Evergreen fixed, but then it broke again. Then they fixed, and it broke again. Then they fixed it again, and I think it might keep working but I'll keep my paws crossed. Having a broken library catalog really keeps everybody's brains working overtime. I was on hand to let people know that 636.8 is the Dewey Decimal number for Cat books. I let my staff handle the rest.

World's Most Helpfullest Boss,

Tober

How I am Famous

Here is the blog post that I promised to you last week.

I was Googling myself one evening. (I thought it would be an easy way to bring up my blog page, since my page is, in fact, Googlable.) I was shocked when my search results included links to other pages about Tober the Library Cat (me). I clicked the links, and here's what I found.

The first one:


It is very small, but you can see this informative and important blog posting at World Wide Whiskers. If you want to stay on my page--which you probably do--you can also click on the picture to make it bigger.

Here are the highlights.

Dewey isn’t the only library cat anymore. Meet Tober. Unlike Dewey, who was merely the subject of a book, Tober, the library cat of Thorntown, Indiana, has his own blog.

This very wise blogging person chose to include a very handsome shot of me. This happened to be posted on Christmas; I didn't ask to be famous for Christmas, but this does make it easier for me to forgive Santa for not bringing my hamster. Maybe this is what he meant by surprises!

This next blogger mentions one of my better-known (and least-loved) habits:


This is posted on a blog called Men and Cats. Apparently, I am not the only cat who likes to chew on cords. The people who comment on this post seem to think that there are many good ways to keep cats from chewing cords. Lucky for me, the staff at the Library hasn't found one yet!

Now you know how I am becoming Famous.

For those of you who have suffered sleepless nights about the state of my poor hurt foot, let me reassure you that I have been well taken care of. Assistant Assistant Boss Christine noticed that my foot was really stinky, Assistant Assistant Boss Linda noticed that my foot was really puffy, and Assistant Boss Karen called the nice people at the Thorntown Veterinary Clinic. Again. This time I had to ride in the stupid pet box. Hugging with a nice view is preferred, for future reference. The doctor discovered that I had an infected toe, and it was decided that I should take Medicine.

This Medicine is NOT a pill, but it is still not very good. Rather than take the Medicine when I want to, my staff people have decided that I need to take it once a day and first thing in the morning.

When Karen gives me the Medicine, she very kindly provides tasty food and treats, so that I may quickly get the awful taste out of my mouth. Christine didn't know this routine, so after she practically sat on me and forced a syringe in my mouth, I had to run through the Library, wipe my face, hide under Linda's desk (in case Christine wasn't done), and then proceed to my breakfast bowl. Which hadn't been filled yet.

I think Assistant Boss Karen needs to sign *certain people* up for more staff training time.

While my foot was hurting, I spent a lot of time in Karen's office helping her do a Very Very Important Library Report. The staff thinks that the report bored me, but NO! What happened was this: I was such a Very Big Help and such a Hard Worker that I passed out from exhaustion, right there on the paperwork. Just ask Karen.


My foot is feeling better though, and I ran around a lot today. I also received a Present from Helen. Helen very kindly crafted one of my previously chewed cords into a toy. Then she decided it was too big, so she needed to do something a little different with it. She took it home with her so that she could fix it for me! Now that's dedication! I think Helen should be Assistant Assistant Boss of the Month!

Now I must go back to cleaning my foot and plotting my evasive maneuvers for tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck!

Tober

Left Behind.

I was a very big help to Assistant Boss Karen in the last week. I helped her do paperwork,


warmed her chair, and even tried my paws at working the Adult Circulation desk.


Karen needed my expertise and support very much, and I did my best to help. I have been rewarded with my very own coffee cup--it says "Tober's Cup" (on the other side)--although Karen has decided that I probably shouldn't have coffee.


That is why I have not been able to post a blog lately.

But then, after all my hard work, Karen went on a Vacation and left me behind! Furthermore, she did not ask my permission to leave on Vacation, and by leaving, she is neglecting her very important responsibilities of petting me, giving me treats, and keeping me happy.

I first discovered her absence Saturday. I spent much of the day looking for her, going so far as to venture Downstairs. I thought perhaps she had gone Outside (she does that sometimes), so I went to the north door. Each time I went to the door, a staff member scooped me up and returned me to the Upstairs. This charade was repeated several times, until I was locked up in a office.

I have made my displeasure clear to the rest of the staff, so that they are sure to relay my unhappiness to Karen. They have assured me that she did not intend to hurt my feelings in any way, and will love me twice as much when she returns. I have heard that she is miserable on Vacation (because I am not with her), and she can't wait to return to the Library to see me. This is understandable, since I am a very handsome and lovable Cat, and I suppose I will have to forgive her.

The Assistant Assistant Bosses have assured me that everything possible will be done to keep me happy, and so far they have done a pretty good job. When I am locked up, it is always with a companion, and my meows are met with hugs and pets. I have been given many, many treats, and my tummy is frequently rubbed.

I suppose these Vacation things are permissible from time to time.

Now I must get back to instructing Cathie about the importance of neck massages.

Meows,

Tober