Louisiana Saves the Library Read Free Page B

you want to end up scanning bar codes in some public library.” Adwell spat out the last words as though they were poisonous. Apparently, he didn’t go in for the idea of librarians as fighters for free access and education on behalf of the downtrodden. But his concern for her welfare was touching.
    â€œIt might not be that bad,” she said.
    â€œDon’t kid yourself. I’ve been there. You want to stay in academia. Trust me.”
    â€œWell, academia might not want me anymore. I think it’s considering a divorce. I know the signs.”
    â€œI mean it. I’m writing you a letter right now.” Adwell left, slamming the door behind him.
    Louise closed the word processing program and opened her Internet browser. As she checked the ads on the ALA Web site, her worst fear was confirmed. There were no jobs in universities. At least not in her field. She had indeed missed the deadlines for a few, but it didn’t really matter because they were all in children’s services, cataloging, disability services. She was, as Sylvia had put it, screwed. Defeated, she closed her laptop and slid it into its case.
    Louise wiped the dust from her favorite picture of Max and Zoe. Taken by a professional photographer at the school, it showed them smiling with their arms around each other in front of a painted forest. She had to be strong. Failure was not an option with two vulnerable and precious children depending on her. She decided to work on her book about the history of public libraries in Louisiana. She’d already visited the State Library many times and done all the digging she could within Saint Jude. Now she had to travel around the state to complete her research, beginning with the closer counties—parishes in the local parlance.
    Finding time to work on the book was a challenge. While the children were in school, she was usually teaching or dealing with students. After she was done with her obligations, there was never time to drive to a library outside the city and get back to pick up the kids by three o’clock. Maybe they could stay late just one time. She got out her phone again and dialed the school. The secretary answered.
    â€œMs. Susan, this is Louise Richardson. Do you think Max and Zoe could stay until five o’clock today?”
    There was a pause at the other end of the line. Louise felt the little strength and hope that she’d managed to gather fade away. She knew what was coming.
    â€œMs. Louise, you’re ten days late on your tuition payment.”
    â€œI know. I’m trying to get the child support check from their father.” Louise hated the pleading in her own voice. Being reduced to begging favors from the day care workers was too humiliating.
    â€œSorry. I mean, really, with your payment being that late, we shouldn’t have let Max and Zoe come to school today at all.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. I’m sorry. I’ll be there at three.”
    â€œI hope you’ll have the money soon.” Susan’s voice softened a little. “If you just paid some of it now, then you could give us the rest when you get the child support.”
    â€œI’ll do that.” Louise thanked her and hung up. The day had just gone from worse to unbearable. She had one hundred dollars and fifty-five cents in her checking account, and soon she might not have a job. Reaching into her shoulder bag, she took out her lunch: leftovers of a homemade pizza that the kids had refused to eat, a chewed-on apple, and a yogurt drink that Zoe had picked out at the store and then decided she didn’t like. Sushi or a fresh salad from the A&M cafeteria would have made her feel a little better, but buying lunch wasn’t in her budget. She took a bite of cold pizza and got out her laptop again. If she couldn’t work on the book, at least she’d finish her article “The Effects of Computerized Card Catalogs on Public Library