Dallas Carey – The Marcus Public Library, known for its serene atmosphere and gumball-related excitement, recently decided to trade its usual quiet for a fun-filled day with the Great Plains Mobile Zoo. If you thought libraries were just about books and Legos, think again!
Let’s rewind to six months ago, when the library’s restroom became the setting for a horror flick—minus the special effects. Picture this: I’m innocently preparing for a day of book ordering when, out of nowhere, I spot a spider so large it could have auditioned for a monster movie. My initial plan was to vacuum it up—because nothing says “brave” like trying to suck up a spider with a household appliance. But just as I was about to start the vacuum’s engine, a couple of neighborhood kids swooped in like miniature superheroes and saved the spider from a potentially very dusty fate. They escorted it outdoors, and I made a mental note to start a new “No Spiders Allowed” policy.
Fast forward to the Mobile Zoo program, and the library played host to another spider—though this one wasn’t a surprise guest. Instead, it was part of a whole collection of critters. The show kicked off with a tarantula, which can grow as big as a dinner plate (today’s guest was more of a saucer size, thankfully). The best part? Tarantulas are completely spineless—literally. No bones means no arthritis. If only that were a perk for us humans!
Next up was Hobbs, the Milk Snake. Hobbs can only munch on prey smaller than the widest part of his body. While this was somewhat reassuring, I still kept a respectful distance. The kids, however, were fascinated, peppering the zoo presenter with questions about his diet, venom, and his role in the animal kingdom’s food chain.
Then came Cashew, the rat, who was undeniably adorable with his fluffy white fur and twitching whiskers. Even though most people would rather skip a rat sighting, Cashew charmed us all. He snuggled in the presenter’s hands, making everyone forget that he was, in fact, a rat.
Finally, Lucky, the red-footed tortoise, made her grand entrance. Lucky took her sweet time parading around the table while we chatted about her. As the kids left, they gave her gentle pats, and Lucky seemed to soak up the attention like a pro.
As the zoo packed up and the library reverted to its peaceful self, it was clear that the day was a massive hit. The kids learned, they laughed, and I’m already scheming for next summer’s zoo event. One thing’s for sure: there will be no more surprise spider encounters—or at least, I’ll do my best to keep it that way!