I in frustration at the sign that greets us in the lobby.

"No internet. That's it. Another day, another chance slips away."

"Did you know that the card catalog was once the key to the library's collection?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." My mother is always making references I don't understand. I gaze over the rows of silent terminals feeling desperate.

"I don't have time for this," I mutter, turning to go back to the van that is currently doubling as our home.

"Are you giving up?"

Am I giving up? Well I have applied for forty-seven jobs using those terminals. I've gotten sixteen 'thanks for applying but...' emails. Nobody else bothered to even send a 'no thanks' email. Not having a diploma has locked me out of most of the opportunities that might put a roof over our heads. And now the information I need is hidden.

"Are you aware that they still put information in print books?"

"Not the information we need."

"How do you know?"

My mother hobbles toward a desk marked "Reference" where a man is sitting.

Waiting tables became impossible as the disease that will eventually put her in a wheelchair began to limit movement. She lost her job. We got evicted right after school let out for summer. In a year I'll graduate and things will be better.

Our van is pretty comfortable unless it's really hot or really cold. It's a sunny summer day outside. The library is deserted because most people left as soon as they noticed the internet is down. The air conditioning is nice, though and we'll probably stay through the hottest part of the day. We come to the library and use the computers and read books and magazines because it's clean and safer than sitting in our van all day. The park is nice too, sometimes. It's weird being homeless but we are figuring it out and telling ourselves it's temporary until one or both of us gets a job.

"Excuse, me can you help us find some information?"

The man looks up and smiles, "I would love to help you."

"Jessie, would you explain what we need to know?"

I walk up the desk. This is a new experience for me. We use the library computers almost every day but I've never actually talked to a librarian or checked out a book. I don't think they give out cards to people who don't have permanent addresses.

"I have a job interview and I need to find out as much as I can about the company and the person who is interviewing me. I have to corporate address but I want to drive over and look at the warehouse where I'll be working."

I don't say because my mom will be parked in the van and I need to know if the area is shady.

"Of course. There is a directory of small businesses in the reference stacks. You can't check it out but you can use it here."

"How will we find it without a card catalog?"

The man's eyes light up, "Speaking my language."

"Not mine," I mutter.

"Honestly, I've been here so long I know where everything is. The Dewey Decimal system is in my head. The local business directories are in 381 with business and commerce."

"How long have you been here?" Mom asks.

"35 years. We had a card catalog and a computerized catalog when I started."

"Here," he hands me a book, "Businesses are listed alphabetically with current information about leadership, revenue, etc. along with the physical addresses. You might want to read up."

"My future might depend on this. Thank you so much."

My mom points at a line she found in another book she found on the shelves

I look over her shoulder and read, "Everything you need for a better future and success has already been written."

"Do you think that's true?" Mom asks.

I shrug. Mom with her weird questions. I don't know if she's bored or her disease is affecting her mind, but lately she's been so freaking philosophical.

"I think that's a very limited perspective because new information is always being added to knowledge that already exists. That's why I love working in the library," the librarian answers.

My mother smiles, "I think it would be wonderful to work in a library."

"We are hiring at the circulation desk right now."

"Oh I don't have a degree or anything. I just need a job where I can sit now."

I sit down at a table and type the address into my phone. I read through the entry and notice the name of the HR person who called me to interview. I try to figure out if my supervisor's name is in there. It might look good when I go into the interview if I know this stuff. I take notes about the earnings and look at a big chart showing who is who's boss. I realize I will look like an idiot if I mention it but don't know what it's called.

My mom and the librarian are deep in conversation.

"Excuse me, what's this chart called?"

He looks at it, "Organizational chart. Good strategy if you are going for a job interview."

I nod. After a few more notes I feel ready to go. The librarian is at the copier when I return to the desk,

"I make a copy of the most frequently asked job interview questions so you can practice your answers. It's a good idea to think about what you are going to say before you go into the interview."

"Wow. Above and beyond. I had no idea librarians knew all this." I say

"Their skills are probably very underestimated and largely underemployed," he replies, "Especially since so much is online and available without consulting a librarian. But we are trained to sift through information and make evaluations. I love it when someone lets me help."

He hands another copy of the questions to my mom, "I hope you'll consider applying. I think you have a very good chance. I also think you should consider these options. I think you are entitled to some help based on what you've told me." He hands her another list.

As we walk to the van my mom and I are quiet. I feel more hopeful than I have in months. My mother is smiling. I don't remember the last time I saw her smile like that. Hopeful.

"I'm glad the internet was down," I say as we head over to the warehouse to consider the parking possibilities. " That librarian was amazing. And mom, I think he likes you."

She smiles again, "Do you think so?"