Meet Benny the kitten who became a library icon—and a reason for children to fall in love with books again. Discover his incredible journey.
Imagine rescuing a stray kitten who was literally tossed out of a truck, and watching him step into a life of reading and community. That’s exactly what happened with Benny, a tuxedo kitten who’s become the beloved “employee” of the Swanton Public Library in Ohio.
When staff member Anna Burwell decided to bring her new rescue kitten, Benny, to work one day, no one could have predicted how quickly he’d become the literacy mascot of storytime. But with his soft paws and excitable personality, Benny now shines as vividly as his black-and-white coat as he dashes through the quiet stacks.
From Rough Starts to Quiet Stacks
Before library life, Benny’s fate was uncertain—and undeniably heartbreaking. He was rescued by the Wood County Humane Society after being discovered thrown from a truck window. At just three months old, he could have ended up lost or worse, and is very, very lucky to have been found and saved from the tarmac.
Not long after his rescue, Anna Burwell, the adult services coordinator at Swanton Public Library, decided to welcome Benny into her home. The little tuxedo cat settled in quickly, and before long, she decided to take him into work, too.
Why a Library Needs a Cat
You might wonder: what does a library cat do besides nap on open books? (Which, personally, we think is plenty, thank you very much—it’s a hard life being so cute!)
Well, Benny brings laughter, companionship, and unexpected calm to everyone around him. Since bringing him to work, Anna and her colleagues have found that he has a huge impact on the visitors of the library. Kids in storytime sessions light up when Benny pads through the rows, that is, of course, when he’s not chasing children, or more often, being chased by them, through the lowest shelf tunnels Anna left just for him.
One local reporter asked Anna what makes Benny special. Her answer? He’s “a good listener,” and that’s exactly what children need when they’re nervous about reading aloud! Benny won’t judge if they stutter or get stuck; he just likes the attention.
So, while he may not shelve books or run the circulation desk, Benny definitely has an important role to play. His job is creating a welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere. And in a library, that matters as much as quiet floors and neatly arranged fiction.
From Storytime Star to Therapy Cat Prospect
It didn’t take long for library staff, and even patrons, to consider Benny more than a novelty. They began talking about training him as a therapy cat. Imagine that: official certification so that Benny could visit schools, hospitals, or elderly-care homes to share the joy of his presence!
One interview with Anna highlighted just how much kids seem to engage with the materials more actively when Benny’s in the picture. When there’s a kitten around, suddenly books and reading feel like a playdate, than a chore.
Whether in the library or as a therapy cat, there is actual science backing up the claims that Benny is beneficial to the patrons who visit him. Cats have been linked with a higher quality of life, fewer negative emotions, reduced stress, increased trust, and even better health!
The Historical Tie Between Cats and Libraries
Of course, Swanton’s library cat isn’t the first. The tradition of feline library residents spans centuries. In medieval monasteries, cats were kept to protect manuscripts from rodents. In modern times, cats like Dewey Readmore Books, the famous Iowa library cat, have garnered international fame.
Dewey was abandoned in a library dropbox in 1988, adopted by the staff, and went on to become the subject of bestselling books and global publicity. His story underscores how deeply people love the idea of a furry friend amidst the stacks.
Today, library cats, from Ohio to Michigan to places around the world, serve as reading role models, morale boosters, and social media stars. Each one, including Benny, carries the legacy of scholarly cats past.
What the Future Holds for Benny
Right now, Benny starts each day with a sprint through his custom aisle passages, then settles down near storytime sessions like a purring guardian. He’s not officially on the payroll, but in many ways, he’s irreplaceable.
As mentioned, the library team is considering exploring therapy cat certification, backed by how much comfort Benny brings. Whether to students, seniors, or hospital patients, his gentle nature seems a perfect fit, and it would be a great addition to their community.
Until then, though, Benny will remain with Anna and his library team, where he is loved, pampered, and has all the books in the world to read.
In the meantime, Benny’s appearance at Swanton Library has caused an uptick in love for local animal charities. Donations are flowing, inspired in part by Benny’s journey from rescue to reader relief.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
