Jefferson County Library patrons may see a new face at their local branch.
The library announced June 4 that Oliver the river otter is its first-ever mascot, who was “hired” to help promote various reading programs and events.
“A few library friends may have guessed that JCL has recruited a very special new staff member,” the library said in a written statement, going on to say that, in May, library staff began hinting at the new mascot by wearing otter pins or stickers. Library staff also gave out free river otter-themed word searches to patrons.
Oliver completed his “employee training” by stopping by the Windsor and Arnold branches for children’s story time, the library reported.
Aaliyah Kindt, the library’s services and outreach coordinator, said the library does not have a dedicated staff member who wears the Oliver the Otter costume yet. Staff members are allowed to wear the costume after completing the standard training, she said.
“We are very excited to unveil our mascot, Oliver,” Library Director Cindy Hayes said. “He will be used to help promote programs and events and will be used in our branches as well as at outreach events. We think our patrons, of all ages, will love him as much as we do.”
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the semiaquatic North American river otter can be found throughout the state in streams, rivers and lakes. When on dry land, river otters are known to shelter in the burrows of muskrats, beavers and woodchucks.
River otters are also chatty creatures, according to the MDC, and communicate with other otters using a variety of sounds such as chirps, grunts and snarls.
“If thinking of libraries conjures up images of shushing librarians and dust-laden books, it may be time to revisit your local public library and maybe even meet up with Oliver the Otter at Jefferson County Library, as he is proudly welcomed by the rest of the JCL team,” the library said in its written statement. “Jefferson County Library is bursting with life across its four locations with activities for all ages, clubs and interesting collections.”
The statement said Oliver will be at each of the four library branches this summer, promoting library cards, reading challenges and the importance of local libraries.
For more information, visit jeffcolib.org.