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I knew what he meant. There could be one of two things. Either we went on as we were and saw where things went, or we withdrew completely and observed her from a distance, making sure she wasn't getting into any further trouble or getting visits from a shady accomplice who'd lead us to the end.
I already knew the answer. There was no way in hell I'd choose the second alternative.
From the looks on the faces of the boys, they wouldn't either.
14
Juniper
Was it just my imagination? Or did the glass windows lining the walls of the library's grand hall rattle as the tension in the room reached a feverish pitch?
My back was slightly damp. A tell-tale trickle of sweat ran down my chest, only interrupted by the uncomfortable wire meshing of the damned bra I'd chosen to wear.
I had to put in four more hours before closing, and I already couldn't wait to be back home and out of the cage that was confining my ample breasts.
"Angelo, I know you think introducing an online cataloging system will be the answer to every late fine. But I think that goes against what we're doing here."
Angelo looked back at me with watery eyes.
The shrewd glow in them told me he wasn't about to back down without a fight.
"I've gone through the catalog, Juniper. Last month alone, we've had over fifty books returned past the due date. This is all on you. I'm trying to suggest something that doesn't put you in the line of fire."
Was this man really talking to me like working in the library was the same as being out on a mission in the Sahara? I resisted the impulse to giggle. Across the long table, Alison drummed her bright, blood-red frosted nail tips on the wood.
"I honestly don't see what the fuss is about."
Angelo scowled. "You wouldn't. But if we don't move ahead with technological advances, we're going to become the next library that gets shut down."
He had a point. Over ten libraries had closed across the area in the last year alone.
This was partly because of the pandemic, partly because the board refused to hire young, capable people and kept making do with seniors who'd long crossed the age of retirement.
Angelo wouldn't mention that. But I could.
"How about you actually put out appointment circulars for the libraries, Angelo? How about you hire people who're qualified instead of seniors who're in it because they're bored at home?
“I'm not saying that's not legitimate—they have every right to an easy life, but maybe we could give them other roles? They could manage circulation and help the readers find books.
“You talk about introducing technology. Do you think you can train them to use it?
“I do not believe old Mrs. Jones from Bookish knows head or tail about the software or how she can arrange books online."
Angelo looked stumped for a second. "This is not on the agenda for today's meeting."
"Yes, because the important stuff never is."
I wasn't letting this man get on my nerves today.
It was the same old thing with people believing libraries were antiquated places where people could amble around, read some books, or look at things to download on Kindle later and disappear.
No one ever considered these were living, breathing spaces, home to more worlds than they could ever conjure in the confines of their homes.
"Coming back to the topic of late fines—"
I stood up.
"I'm not introducing any software that makes me punish kids for bringing in books a couple of days late. From what I see, we should be glad they're still reading and visiting instead of making godawful snippets to keep up with trends.
