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Max The Cat Was Banned From The Library And The Internet Hilariously Demands Answers

You've probably seen the photo floating around all over Facebook, Reddit, Imgur, you name it. It went full-blown viral on levels we don't always see anymore.

Max, a local cat, has been banned from the library. The sign begs library visitors to NOT let Max inside the library. It says Max wants in, but the library and Max's owner are in agreement that Max should not be allowed into the library. It appears to be quite the conundrum that apparently has begged an eruption of questions from the Internet.

Cats love to be in all sorts of spaces. So why isn't Max allowed into the library? What heinous behavior could have barred the sweet cat from prowling the books and lounging in the rays of sunshine? We need to know.

We need to know!

The post stat started it all...

Mischievous Max sparks an Internet uproar!

Don't let Max in the library! He's grounded now so he'll never be able to check a book out again 😿this poster was made by @cschommer with artwork by @gamzegenccelik

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 29, 2017 at 3:38pm PST

As it turns out there is a WILD story behind Max and we are just chomping up the details.

This is Max.

Isn't her adorable? We think so.

Love this photo of Max 💕...thanks to @russiansnowqueen #ilovemycat #gingercat #kittylove

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 29, 2017 at 8:30am PST

Max enjoys his outdoor freedom.

He roams free and wild enjoying the spoils of the neighborhood. He's a bit of a rebel though, not tamed solely by the ability to roll in the grass and bath in direct sunlight. Max seeks the comfort of the local library.

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 24, 2017 at 7:10am PST

But his entertainment time in the Minnesota library was apparently not welcome.

He has wandered in multiple times and even been CAUGHT on camera and was subsequently publicly banned!

Oops Max was caught on camera as he sneaked into the library about a month ago

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 29, 2017 at 6:22pm PST

However, this hasn't stunted Max.

Now, he has found fame like many rebels before him.

Max isn't letting all this new found attention get to him... he decided to just take a nap #cats #catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #cat #gingercat #gingercats #ilovemycat #lovecats #catslover #petsofinstagram #kittycat #catlovers #catlove #catlover #cattatics101

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 30, 2017 at 7:19am PST

And it all began with a tweet.

Like many other instances of Internet fame, a single tweet began the rolling ball that gained momentum as the photo spread far and wide.

This is basically halfway to being a children's book pic.twitter.com/DjwUPHy9Wz
— Erin McGuire (@e_mcguire_) November 29, 2017

Naturally, someone responded.

By beginning Max's story with an eloquent poem on Twitter.

“Please do not let in the cat,”
the sign said. By the door he sat.
His name was Max, I read and learned.
“He’s nice,” but this cat hadn’t earned
the right to come inside and read.
Why could it be? What did he need?
— Finn, a Human (@relsqui) November 29, 2017

Part 2 of 3

Every time Max went inside,
librarians from far and wide
would chase him out and whisper “Shoo!”
His owner had forbade him too.
Poor cat. No human thought that he
belonged inside the library.
— Finn, a Human (@relsqui) November 29, 2017

Part 3 of 3

It seemed unjust to me that Max
was not allowed to browse the stacks!
So I set out to make it right,
with pen and paper, desk and light.
I filed the forms. It wasn’t hard.
And now Max has a library card.
— Finn, a Human (@relsqui) November 29, 2017

This was not enough.

The Internet began to demand answers.

I need to know more to this story. What shenanigans does Max get up to?
— Jen DW (@jendaviswilson) November 29, 2017

And photos.

First of all, because cats. Second of all, Max the cat.

Photo of Max please. How to distinguish him from the other #librarycats ? @jessamyn
— E. T. R. Soles (@EaterofSoles) November 29, 2017

The people demand answers!

In the name of Max!

I feel like a journalist needs to contact Max for his side of the story.
— Mo Ryan (@moryan) November 30, 2017

Macalester College Library employees tried desperately to satiate the cries from the public and to respond as eloquently as possible.

They provided a glimpse at him.

I work at this library and this is Max, via his owner’s IG pic.twitter.com/6WP6z6ZkmT
— Alexis Logsdon (@librarianrover) November 29, 2017

The explained what he does at the library.

Well, mostly he just blocks the door to the library and tries to run in as soon as someone opens the door. The legend of Max might end up being a LOT more fun than the real Max. ;)
— Alexis Logsdon (@librarianrover) November 29, 2017

And they hilariously answered the age old question:

Does Max have a library card?!

It would be a violation of patron privacy for me to tell you that. 🤓
— Alexis Logsdon (@librarianrover) November 29, 2017

As to be expected from Internet levels of enthusiasm, Max's fan base got to work trying to figure out how to help Max get inside the library.

Someone made him a library card.

Which, by the way, cutest thing ever.

Max just got a library card from Sevinth on twitter @sevinthstreams Max says thank you very much...he's looking forward to using it😻

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 29, 2017 at 4:50pm PST

In fact, more than one person tried to help Max with a library card.

How could they say no to this!?

So cute...now he has 2! They should definitely let him in😻found on twitter @RSillustrations Rachel Suzanne @rachelsuzanneillustration

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:58am PST

Others tried more nefarious plots

Like bribing.

Oh ethics!! Can you be bribed?
— booh - The Walk Home (@mikes_booh) November 30, 2017

The way most advocacy gets started:

Petitions.

Let’s start an online petition to get Max into the library #MaxInTheLibrary 😂
— Zoë the Jinja Ninja (@ZoeJinjaNinja) November 30, 2017

And my personal favorite:

An entire Max section.

Would it be THAT hard to just build a Max Section?
— Erin McGuire (@e_mcguire_) November 29, 2017

And others yet decided they would be the rebels Max inspired them to be.

They had one plan

A solid plan, technically.

The only I know for sure is that I'm letting Max in the library.
— Adam Mills (@ad_the_bad52) November 30, 2017

It is like a compulsive need at this point.

all this does is make me want to let Max in the library even harder
— jimmgle bells pegan (@jpegan) November 29, 2017

"You can't STOP me!"

Roberto has a point.

If I find this library, I'm letting Max in... try and stop me.
— Roberto Vargas (@ReBoRN_616) November 30, 2017

Oh, Max.

The days are long without the library aren't they?

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 29, 2017 at 5:05pm PST

If you ask me one of the best parts is how many public figures began to get invovled.

Like Senator Jack Reed

He's got the support of the government.

I’ve read the sign, but I am still pro- letting #MaxTheCat in the #library. He’s like a real life #LibraryLion. #RIReads #LetMaxIn https://t.co/fJdSS1iM9I
— Senator Jack Reed (@SenJackReed) November 30, 2017

And Gypsy is a huge fan.

We love this.

I need to let max in now. I’m gonna get him a litter box and food ... and toys and set him up in the Cat section. . . I need to know max will get in this library. I need closure. https://t.co/p302Eix35h
— 🎉🦄Gypsy Beech🦄🎉 (@DGB_JAIID) November 29, 2017

And we were left wondering what is next for dear old Max?

Because clearly Max has a fanbase.

And there's a lot of talented artists in his fan base...

Great comic by Macalester art student Mariah @marjoramen she's posted it on tumblr at Mariah Jo marjoramen.tumblr.com

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Nov 30, 2017 at 7:45am PST

But Max has friends at the library, too.

Chris Schommer @cschommer , who made the Max poster and I Max's human in the second photo met today so he could meet the real Max for the first time🤗 and thank you all for following g along with Max's story...it's all been so crazy with folks from all over the world contacting us...I'm sorry Max and I aren't able to respond to everyone individually and like all your pages...Max's page went from 135 followers Wednesday morning to over 6000 today! Stay tuned there maybe more to come. Check out the website https://www.letmaxin.com/ for more details 🤗😻💕 #cats #catsofinstagram #catlover

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Dec 1, 2017 at 11:05am PST

And obviously Max's owner is trying to find ways to make it work.

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:28am PST

And in lieu of the library, a local book store wants to let Max in.

So his owner is leash training him so they can go on adventures together!

If you live in St. Paul MN stop by the great new little used book store on Grand...can't wait to take Max there once he's on leash!

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:56am PST

And one thing is for sure:

Max is one loved cat, worldwide!

If you live in St. Paul MN stop by the great new little used book store on Grand...can't wait to take Max there once he's on leash!

A post shared by Max the Cat and Gracie (@cool_cat_max_and_gracie) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:56am PST