This story of earthquake survivors burning books to keep warm [via LISNews] reminds me of some of the librarian moments in The Day After Tomorrow (a truly miserable film), such as when the male librarian tucks himself in a chair clutching a copy of the Gutenberg Bible. He explains snootily that he will bodily protect it from being dumped into the book-fueled fire the (smart) main characters are burning so they won't freeze to death.

I also enjoyed the very buttoned-up woman in the cardigan sweater who sat the reference desk with her ankles primly crossed while the library filled first with cold and wet refugees, and then with freezing cold water. May I help you?

Priorities, people. Priorities.

Posted by Hilary at December 14, 2005 02:08 PM