Known to the employees of the Library of Intellectum as "little fuckers," these things run around the library. No one’s sure whether they feed on books, come out of books, or what. They make a high-pitched whispery snickering noise that infuriates almost everyone who hears it. When the employees in the oversized quartos section are really bored, they build elaborate simple machines to flatten them. The newest library assistant distinguishes herself by having compassion for them and urging people not to wantonly destroy them, but she has trouble convincing people of her message.