Here’s a reminder of my funsummer poll. I’ve had over 500 respondents so far! Amazing. So, in the interest of having a little late summer fun let’s see what the poll shows when I pubish the results (and the fun open-ended comments) in about two weeks. If you haven’t taken the poll yet you have until September 9th at Noon. Just click below… or on the poll link in the sidebar.
Let’s have some fun!
It all started when I made the outrageous comment on a recent blog post that I thought library folk were mostly cat people. Some agreed and some (presumably dog people) disagreed. It was all tongue-in-cheek! And the video was a hoot.
So, without a whit of science to it, let’s take a poll of my blog readers and anyone else in library land who wants to participate.
Take the poll.
As usual I’ll publish the results here.
And I promise the next poll will be more serious but we are in the end of August doldrums and we deserve some fun before all Hell breaks loose and the patrons, students, learners, etc. arrive in full force soon.
I’ve had personally, if I remember correctly, about an even number of dogs and cats – sometimes in twos but never mixed. My parents current dog, Maggie May, has even commented on this post.
Stephen
8 Responses
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So far dogs are winning! That doesn’t surprise me at all. Sure, we can all conjure up an image of the stereotypical introverted “cat lady” librarian adjusting her glasses and working overtime alone (except for the cat). But the profession shed that old image decades ago. These days we come in all shapes and sizes. We have many interests. We tend to be extroverted (the better to lead programs and advocate for funding). And we rarely sit still. Any self respecting cat would be turned off by all that rushing around (not to mention those dancing videos we keep producing).
Dogs are more conducive to the typical librarian’s active lifestyle. Their loyalty and affection provide comfort when the going gets tough (such as when we learn our budgets have been cut). And, like us, they adapt to change easily when called upon to do so, which is often.
Besides, dogs are more fun to read to. Hence all those Reading to Rover programs.
Nanette, I wonder if there is a difference between public services and technical services librarians. Except for a stint as a law firm librarian–not a position that requires one to “like people”–I have always worked behind the scenes in technical services, first in digitization, and now as a rare book cataloguer (I know, one extreme to the other). I am most emphatically a cat person and one of the votes for “I have 3 or more cats” (4, at present). I like their quiet, independent nature, their cunning, and their discrimination. Dogs are sweet, but WAY too needy for me. Cats can be comforting, too. If I could choose a “super-power”, it would be the ability to purr, which is the most soothing sound in the world to me. I’ll have to admit though, that one can read to cats, but the cats probably won’t listen!
Have and like are not the same though, yes? I voted true, that I have 1 lovely cat, but I also quite like dogs and call my dear friend’s Huskie my “nephew”!
Dogs rule! We have both dogs and cats, but the cats are kind of “accidental” pets. The dogs, we got on purpose. Yes, the dogs are more needy. But it’s fun to be greeted by 3 grinning creatures who are THRILLED that you’re home every time you walk in the door. The cats could care less, except when it’s time for their dinner. The dogs even recognize my old running shoes – when I come down the stairs with those in my hand, they know we are going for a walk in the fields behind the house and they are super excited.
I am definitely a cat person. I’ve had 2 Burmese brothers for 10 years. They are independent thinkers, smart, loving & very loyal.
I have always talked to them & they really do understand. Mostly they do what they’re told. A slight change in the inflection in my voice & they respond.
I’m not a librarian & am married to one & am a library photographer.
I enjoy both! However I noticed many in the library circust are mad abouth those cat books…..Dewey, Oscar, Sneaky Pie Brown…
As you know I have a human, Don or Dad to you, and two neighbours Max and Scamper who visit via a doggie door and We Rule. We are a family of voracious readers versed in the arts of K9ology . The Cats next door are an impediment that” we shall overcome”! . I snuck on the computer to paw this and altho it is from Maggie May’s Humans Desk,Don’llsign it………..
Library staff must all be cat people, because they are always letting the cat out of the bag 😉