Beloved 'meow librarian' mourned at China Academy of Art

A beloved feline that had made the library its home for 13 years at the Xiangshan campus of the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has recently passed away, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the academy's students and even the library's director.

Affectionately known as the "meow librarian," the cat provided companionship to generations of art students. Sources indicate that the cat succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack by feral dogs.

A photograph of the cat now adorns the glass outside the library's entrance at the Xiangshan campus. The portrait depicts a black and white cow-patterned cat with distinctive black markings around its mouth and captivating eyes. A small statue, crafted in the likeness of the beloved feline by students, stands nearby, adorned with delicate red flowers placed by grieving students.

Heartfelt notes from the students accompany the photograph. "We will love you forever," reads one. Another expresses, "Dear librarian, thank you for your companionship. May you journey to a happy 'Meow Star' and rest peacefully."

A student from the ceramic arts major at the academy shared with local media outlet City Link that the "meow librarian" was a familiar sight during their visits to the library throughout their college years. The student reminisced, "Its domain was within the library or just outside. Sometimes, upon entering, you'd find it basking in the sun or napping, and at times, it would linger within the study rooms. When feeling the pressures of study, seeing it always brought a sense of relaxation. Its presence was soothing, and it never caused a disturbance."

In commemoration of the cat, the library's director, Jin Cheng, penned an article expressing her sentiments: "She regarded the library as her home, the only place where she found solace. This gentle yet resolute dependence greatly comforted and inspired me. Let's bid you a fond farewell! May the heavenly library also have your guardianship, and may warmth always be with you."