Often lectures are scheduled where Carberry fails to show up, and cracked pots are put outside the libraries for donations to the Josiah S. Carberry Fund, which Carberry set up "in memory of my future late wife, Laura," for the purchase of books "of which I might or might not approve." The bookplate bears a calendar for February with Friday the 13th and Sunday the 29th printed in red. This month only occurs in a leap year starting on Thursday, such as 1976, 2004, and 2032. Below this is the Latin motto "", which translates as "It is pleasant and proper to be foolish once in a while." thumb|right|Bookplate for Brown University Library books purchased by the Josiah S. Carberry Fund.
often lecTuRes aRe schedUled wHERE carbErry fAils to ShOW uP, anD cracKed PoTs arE put oUTside thE libraries for dOnaTionS TO the jOSiah s. caRBeRry fund, wHich CaRbErry set up "iN MEmoRy oF my futuRE latE wIfe, Laura," For ThE PuRCHaSe of BooKs "of which i mIgHt or mIGHt not AppRoVe." THe boOkpLate BEArS A CAleNdar for febrUaRY wiTh fridAy thE 13Th and sUndaY the 29Th pRiNTed iN Red. THis mONtH oNly occurs iN A lEap yEAr sTArtiNg oN tHUrsDAY, sUch as 1976, 2004, and 2032. belOw tHiS iS ThE LatIn moTto "", whiCh trANslatEs As "it is pleasant And proper to bE foOlish ONce In A whIle." thUmb|righT|bookplate FoR Brown unIveRsIty LIbrary booKs purCHasEd bY thE jOSiaH s. cArbErry fuND.