It was a very hot summer. When you live in Mobile, Alabama, you know that the summers are hot. You know it, but its still very surprising when it happens. Suddenly, your clothes are sticking to you and you can smell the heat and wetness of the air. Drinking water doesn't help. Sitting on a couch that sticks to your clothes doesn't help. Watching TV does absolutely nothing. What helps is air conditioning. But, if you are one of the many many people who live in Mobile, Alabama during the summer, you know that air conditioning is expensive. If you happen to be in the boat my parents were in (five kids, a mom who works for social services and a dad who has been laid off and is doing odd jobs to make money under the table just so the kids can have food) air conditioning is a really expensive luxury.

So, one day we were all trying to stay conscious during the summer. My four siblings and I were so hot that we couldn't even argue with each other, let alone fight. My mom came home and she looked harried which really wasn't that unusual. Apparently working as a secretary for a social services organization in Mobile, is very draining. It was hot. And we were all cranky. My mom wanted to turn on the AC. We were all hoping that she would turn on the AC.

Instead, my mom told us to put on our shoes. We did but were a little worried. I mean it was hot. Why the hell were we putting on shoes? Then she did the unthinkable. She led us outside. The walk began. It was a long walk. Because it was hot. It was really really hot. My mom made us all hold hands as we crossed the major intersection of Government Street. It was so embarrassing. But we did it. It was too hot to argue.

And then, we walked into a building none of us had ever seen before. The cold blast of air was heavenly. The women at the front desk immediately began to coo over my baby brother. I was lost in my own personal heaven. Books. There were books everywhere. I'd never seen so many books in one place. It was as if my mom had read my inner most dreams and decided to make them come true. She told us to look around. I didn't see her again until she collected us to leave at closing time when she helped us check out the books.

That day, my mom helped me get my first library card and I checked out 12 books. I remember the pride in her voice as she explained to the librarians that I just really liked to read and could read very fast. I remember her telling me that I could come back any time I wanted. And I did. I began taking challenges from the women behind the counter on how many books I could read in a week. They would actually quiz me to make sure I read them. I picked my books randomly and then read everything by the author I could find.

So, you are probably wondering what the point of this post is. The point is I love to read. My mom encouraged my habit while trying to save money and keep us cool. A library is a haven. That's why I want to start a library for the Oasis Youth Shelter. It's fitting isn't it? The shelter is called Oasis. The Mobile Public Library was my oasis and provided shelter to my family in the absolute dog days of summer.

If you want to know why I feel so strongly about providing books for these kids, then just think about a summer so hot that you can't move. The only solace you have is the cooling perfection of a library and many many great books in which to get lost.