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‘Cute, cuddly’ library mascot makes his debut
CANFIELD
A new teddy bear mascot for the public library made its debut at Saturday’s grand-opening ceremony for the $5.3 million library branch.
His name, Booker Bear, was chosen by library staff and his custom-made costume cost $4,837, including accessories and shipping.
Library trustees Thursday approved paying for the costume with library foundation money comprised of private donations.
Although his costume wasn’t cheap, library officials say Booker has an important job to do.
“Very young children are just beginning their relationship with the library,” observed Heidi Daniel, library executive director.
“A friendly character can make their experience fun and make the library a place where a child wants to go,” she added.
“A cute, cuddly mascot who loves the library is a great way to give a friendly face to the library,” said Janet Loew, communications and public-relations director.
“Who can resist a lovable mascot? And kids, especially young kids, who experience positive feelings about the library, are the kids who become library users and lifelong readers,” said Josephine Nolfi, programming and youth-services director.
The library system bought Booker’s costume from Sugar’s Mascot Costumes Inc. of Toronto, Canada, which library officials said has created mascots for many prominent organizations.
Among the mascots supplied by that company are the Toronto Blue Jays’ Ace, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Carlton the Bear and the Kansas City Royals’ Sluggerrr.
The purchase price includes a battery-operated interior cooling fan in Booker’s head for the costume wearer’s comfort and cooling inserts, which are placed in a freezer before being inserted into pouches in a vest inside the costume.
Also included is a carrying case and extra feet because Loew said mascot feet tend to become worn and dirty.
With a costume life expectancy of 10 years, Booker Bear will appear as the ambassador of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County at library and community events.
His costume’s exterior is a mint-green, furry fabric.
He’ll wear a T-shirt bearing the library logo and “I love my library” slogan.
The costume usually will be worn by a library staff member.
Booker replaces the library system’s Ready-to-Read Raccoon mascot, which has been retired after more than a decade of use.