As for the library, the regulations that had to be followed were singularly severe. Books could not be taken out of the factory under any circumstances; they could be consulted only with the consent of the librarian, Signorina Paglietta. Underlining a word, or just making a mark with pen or pencil, was a very serious offence: Paglietta was expected to check every book, page by page, when returned, and if she found a mark, the book had to be destroyed and replaced at the expense of the culprit.
Primo Levi, The Periodic Table, (Phosphorus), Penguin 2000, p.94 (first published 1975)
interesting concept
ReplyDeletequoting is a form of underlining, isn't it
so devious
Oh, I wish they'd give Signorina Paglietta a job at Essex University library!
ReplyDelete