Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

On a frigid morning in 1988, library director Vicki Myron discovered a tiny, nearly frozen kitten wedged into the Spencer, Iowa, book return slot. She named him Dewey Readmore Books, and for the next nineteen years, he lived entirely within the library’s walls. The narrative chronicles Dewey's daily habits, from his strategic napping on top of the card catalog to his uncanny ability to identify and comfort patrons in distress. Myron weaves the cat’s life story together with the history of Spencer, documenting the town’s survival through the 1980s farm crisis and subsequent economic shifts.

Pet lovers and readers interested in rural American history gain a specific look at how an animal can influence a municipal institution's morale. The book illustrates the practical bonds between a community and a local mascot during periods of financial hardship. Readers see the measurable impact of Dewey’s presence on the library’s foot traffic and global reputation. By the end, the reader understands how a single domestic animal helped sustain the identity of a small Midwestern town.

Practical, inward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.

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