These question were asked either in person or received via telephone.
The telephone ask a librarian service was set up in 1967 and operates to this day.
Any statistics on the life span of the abandoned woman?, a caller wanted to know in 1963.
At any time, at least five are available for taking calls.
Most people call just to ask about library services.
Others want to fact-check things theyve heard on the news.
Queries about news, science, and history come in about once an hour.
People also dial with basic grammar questions.
When did Moses first come into the public eye?, a caller asked in 1963.
What is the life cycle of an eyebrow hair?
How many neurotic people were in the United States?
What does it mean when you dream youre being chased by an elephant?
One person just wanted to know how to put up a wallpaper.
I have the paper; I have the paste.
What do I do next?
Does the paste go on the wall or the paper?
I’ve tried both and it doesn’t seem to work.
“There are no stupid questions,” Caballero-Litold NPR.
“Everything is a teachable moment.
The library keeps records of the most absurd and memorable questions asked to them.
Some of these date as far back as the 1940s.
Here, we have reposted a few from theirInstagram account.
How many neurotic people in the US?
(Dec 30, 1946)
What does it mean when you dream youre being chased by an elephant?
in the sale of cadavers?
(Oct, 1976)
Is a black widow spider more harmful dead or alive?
Is there a full moon every night in Acapulco?
(Oct 6, 1961)
What was the origin of bedsheets?
(Jan 30, 1950)
Off-hand do you happen to know a really good book about having twins?
Nutritional value of human flesh.
(June 6, 1958)
Do you have information about permanent people?
(Feb, 1949)
I’m looking for a book about Helen of Troy by Holmes.
(i.e., Homer’s Iliad.)
(Feb 14, 1944)
Can you tell me how much water I use?
(Nov, 1949)
Somebody in 1962 was looking for Charles Darwin’s book.
Oranges & peaches.”
The librarian politely directed the person to On the Origin of Species.
If a poisonous snake bites itself, will it die?
What lassitude is New York City on?
(June 2, 1959)
Is it proper to wear a veil at night time?
Q: “If self-preservation is the first law of nature, what’s the second?”
A: “Exploitation is the second - see Albert Jay Nock’s Memoirs of a Superfluous Man.
1943 p. 132” (June 23, 1949)
May a funeral be held July 4?
(July 10, 1945)
“How do I put up wallpaper?
I have the paper; I have the paste.
What do I do next?
Does the paste go on the wall or the paper?
I’ve tried both and it doesn’t seem to work.”
When, before 1866, was there no full moon in February?
(Feb 9, 1950)Answer: According to our research, the answer is 1847!
And in 2018, we’ll see it happen again - this phenomenon happens about every 19 years.
Does the female human being belong to the mammal class?
List of famous men born prematurely.
(June 7, 1950)
