Teddy bears' picnic, oops library
BY MATT RILKOFF
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Teddy bears are forsaking the woods and their picnics for the warmth and comfort of the library.
New Plymouth Puke Ariki library staff were baffled to find seven of the turtlenecked bookworms in the building last week.
Somehow the bears have beaten security cameras, sensors and highly-trained human guards.
Library staffer Karen Nicholls was the first to find a pair of them.
One was checking out the latest news on a computer and the other engaging in study of the occult, reading a book from the 133 supernatural section.
"It was a bit spooky really," Ms Nicholls said. "They are really quite big so it is unusual no one has noticed them being brought in."
Library services team leader Jane Waite said the bears were quite cute and had been tested for hidden library books and listening devices.
"As far as we can tell they have nothing to hide," she said.
The seven bears are of Chinese origin and sport smiles varying from happy to quite clearly demented.
They are clothed in yellow or red jumpers with a animal that could be a cat stitched on front.
"We knew the library was attractive to them because it was warm and comfortable and has interesting books to read, but we just want to know who brought them in here," said Ms Waite.
It was thought the bears may have been a joke by a staff member of Russian origin who is set to leave. While the bear is a symbol widely used in Russian culture it was soon discovered that leaving them here and there was not.
Staff member Clare O'Connell speculated the wayward teddies could be someone's idea of art.
"My sister once put a table on the walkway and asked people to write a letter to their mother. That was her art and this could be someone else's," she said.
Anyone with information as to the origins of the animals should contact library staff.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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