Dewey Readmore Books (circa November 1987 – November 29, 2006) was the resident cat at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa, garnering worldwide publicity. The cat's story was the subject of a book, Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, published in 2008 and written by Spencer librarian Vicki Myron.
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In January 1988, on a freezing winter evening, someone left an eight-week old male kitten in the outside book drop at the Spencer Public Library. The library staff discovered the kitten the next morning. The kitten was badly frostbitten and so filthy that everyone thought he was grey instead of his natural copper and white. Although the entire staff cared for him, library director Vicki Myron took primary responsibility. Although some libraries have had a tradition of resident cats, this was the first such cat in Spencer, so approval was required from both the board of trustees of the library and the Spencer City Council. Once they approved, the kitten was vaccinated and neutered. Thereafter, Myron and the library staff cared for Dewey and accepted donations for his food and care. No public funds were used for his care.
A naming contest, "Name the Kitty", was held to choose his name. Dewey was the most popular choice, named after Melvil Dewey and his library coding system. The staff chose his middle and last name, Readmore Books. He usually went by Dewey, or sometimes, "Dew."
Dewey's breed is unknown. At first, Myron had thought he was part Persian. People came to believe that he might have been a Maine Coon cat or a Norwegian Forest Cat. Some others have argued he was a Tabby Cat, or a common mixed breed.
During hard economic times in Iowa, Dewey comforted those in distress and cheered up both patrons and staff, both children and adults. Soon his lovable personality began to attract visitors and fan mail from all over the U. S. and the world. Dewey stories appeared in the local newspaper and subsequently in a variety of magazines such as Cat Fancy, and Country. He later appeared on Sioux City television and then across Iowa on public television in a documentary film. Word of Dewey continued to spread and eventually he was included in a television program in Japan. He was also featured in a few books and postcards.
Dewey lived to be 19. During his last year he suffered from digestive complications and hyperthyroid disease. He was euthanized after the veterinarian found a tumor in his stomach and discovered that Dewey was in constant pain. Obituaries appeared in newspapers across the US as well as on several television newscasts. Dewey was cremated (a local crematorium donated the services) and his ashes buried on the library grounds with a memorial stone donated by a local funeral home.
Visitors from across the US and around the world continue to come to the Spencer library.
Some of Dewey's favorite things were catnip (he was crazy around fresh catnip), rubber bands, Christmas trees, full-fat yogurt, his red wool, and boxes. As a kitten, he adored the library secretary Kim's typewriter. He also adored Vicki Myron's daughter, Jodi Marie.
Dewey was very finicky with his food. He only ate Fancy Feast, and he hated cat food with any sort of seafood in it. The staff tried beef, pork, chicken, liver, but none worked for very long. They kept an entire shelf of cat food just for Dewey.
Vicki Myron, who had been manager of the Spencer Public Library for 25 years, retired from her position after Dewey's death. Myron wrote a book, Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, that was published in September 2008. By late 2008 it was on the New York Times bestseller list [1] [2] (November 16,2008). Her second book for adults, Dewey's Nine Lives, was released in October 2010. Myron has also written three books about Dewey for children.