Rather than object to the stereotype, D'Elia, 27, is toying with it in a good-natured way. His company, Gear Down Clothing, sells humorous T-shirts, like the ones that read: "Beware of rowdy librarians" and "Librarians have tighter buns."

It's a part-time labour of love, but D'Elia said it's profitable; he sells several hundred shirts a month, primarily through his website, geardownclothing.com.

Photo: DAVE CARTER, GUELPH MERCURY / University of Guelph librarian [Matthew-Jim D'Elia]'s online company, Gear Down Clothing, sells humorous T-shirts like these.