Move over cats. Worcester Public Library is now collecting dog photos.

Have photo of your canine companion that you just have to show to the world? Feeling that dogs got unfairly overlooked during Worcester Public Library’s March Meowness event soliciting cat pictures from the community?

As part of “The Dogs Days of Summer” all Worcester library branches will be collecting photos of local dogs between now and June 15, the with the start of the summer reading program. The pictures will be arranged in banner collage of doggy decoration for each branch.

“After March Meowness, we wanted to give dog owners their time in the sun,” said Worcester Public Library Executive Director Jason Homer.

Worcester Public Library’s 2024 summer reading program events

Photos of community canines are just the beginning. Dog Days of Summer will have a slate of events over the next few months, such as read-to-a-dog sessions, dog yoga and a presentation on service dogs.

The dates of these programs will be finalized by the end of the month, or June 15 at latest, said Homer, at which point they will be announced via the library website and social media.

The summer reading program is usually planned about six months in advance, with discussions starting in December. All of that went out the window, said Homer, with the popularity of March Meowness, the program in which library patrons could bring a picture of a cat – any cat – to the library and have fees for lost or damaged items forgiven.

The story went viral, even going so far as to be featured in The New York Times. Following the feline frenzy, the library staff felt obligated to give dogs a similar treatment.

“We completely redid everything,” said Homer. The sudden pivot three months into preparation created a significant time crunch.

“We might be a little behind schedule,” admitted Homer. “But it was fun rethinking everything. The name ‘Dog Days of Summer’ practically wrote itself.”

How do I submit my photos?

Photos can be submitted in person at the library front desk or via email at wplprograms@mywpl.org.

During March Meowness, photos were often accompanied by a story or anecdote from owners on the pictured cat. “We never really asked for cat stories but got them anyways,” said Homer. This soon became one of the best parts, he said, so this time submissions should include a few words about your canine companion as well. Specifically, the dog’s favorite activities – “whether it be playing fetch, eating or jumping in puddles, anything that gets your dog excited,” he said.

While dogs are the start of the show, submission rules are not hard and fast, photos of pets who may be a dog in spirit will likely be accepted. “If your cat’s playful and plays fetch like a dog, we’ll probably take it,” said Homer.