CHECK 'EM OUT!

Think all librarians are stuffy geeks? Shush! In a welcome departure, TNT's The Librarian: Quest for the Spearstars Noah Wyle as a heroic librarian/adventurer. Unheard of? Perhaps. But he's not the first to add dimension to the profession, as EW's master's-degree-in-library-science-holding Info Center associate Heidi Weinkam points out.

Librarians Are Cool! In Party Girl (1995), Parker Posey learns respect for the Dewey decimal system...as she parties all night. The indie-film model for a generation of hipster book pushers.

Librarians Are Classy! In the Hepburn-Tracy rom com Desk Set (1957), the great Kate — head of a TV net's research library — proves she's smarter than a newfangled computer. A lot better dressed, too.

Librarians Save! In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Tim Robbins creates a library that is vital to the redemption of his fellow prisoners. Probably not the first time a librarian has made you cry.

Librarians Kick Ass! Sure, Giles, the bookishly studly British high school librarian/ Watcher of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 -- 2003) helps blow up his own library. But, you know, to save the world.

Librarians Are Hot! Giving new meaning to the word stacks, Rene Russo's Major League (1989) athlete-turned-library scientist cruises around with a license plate that pleads, READ.