1 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, enters the library for a meet-and-greet reception with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. She will officially join the staff in the summer of 2023.
2 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, gets some loving at a meet-and-greet reception with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. At right is Wendy Geist, a librarian who will become Libby's primary handler.
3 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Kelly Schaeffer, exeuctive director of FIDOS Facility Dogs, brings Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, into the library for a meet-and-greet reception with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Libby will officially join the staff in the summer of 2023.
4 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Kelly Schaeffer, exeuctive director of FIDOS Facility Dogs, brings Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, into the library for a meet-and-greet reception with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Libby will officially join the staff in the summer of 2023.
5 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Kelly Schaeffer, exeuctive director of FIDOS Facility Dogs, brings Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, into the library for a meet-and-greet reception with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Libby will officially join the staff in the summer of 2023.
6 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Decorations are set up for a 1-year birthday party for Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.
7 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
A birthday cake made especially for dogs is set for Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, at Libby's 1-year birthday party and meet-and-greet session with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.
8 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Cupcakes decorated with a canine theme were the human snacks at a 1-year birthday party for Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.
9 of 9
Photo by Jon Anderson
Kelly Schaeffer, exeuctive director of FIDOS Facility Dogs, brings Libby, the Hoover Public Library's new facility dog, into the library for a meet-and-greet reception with library staff on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Libby will officially join the staff in the summer of 2023. At right is Wendy Geist, a librarian who will become Libby's primary handler.
The Hoover Public Library today held a meet-and-greet reception for its newest future staff member, who made her way into the library on four legs.
Meet Liberty, also known as “Libby” or “Libby the librarian.” She’s a 1-year-old standard poodle who will be joining the library this summer as a “facility dog.” Her job will be to make the library an even more welcoming place for all people, though she will have some specific assignments related to kids, teens and senior adults.
She already has been undergoing basic obedience training, and over the next six months, she’ll get more specific training from FIDOS Facility Dogs related to her job at the library. The library today helped celebrate Libby’s first birthday, complete with gifts of dog toys and a cake made specifically for canine tastebuds.
And yes, there was a lot of oooing and aaaahing by library staff members who came to meet her. Read more about Libby in a future print edition of the Hoover Sun.
Hoover Public Library welcomes Libby
Kelly Schaeffer, executive director for FIDOS Facility Dogs, introduces staff at the Hoover Public Library to Libby, the library's new facility dog, during a reception and 1-year birthday party for Libby at the library in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.
