Araceli

After we arrived at the school, I spent most of my time talking to Araceli Gonzalez.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

On Monday morning, Araceli called to let me know that a Peoples Gas truck had just arrived at the school.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

I told Araceli to get some flashlights, lanterns, batteries, and radios because CPS's next move would likely be to cut off the electricity.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

After we toured the old field house, my daughter hit the playground out front with Araceli's daughter while Araceli and I sat down to talk shop.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

Araceli didn't know how any of this was going to play out over the coming weeks, but she and her fellow moms assured me they weren't about to blink.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

On Monday morning, Araceli called to let me know that a Peoples Gas truck had just arrived at the school.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

And as far as names go, well … My granddaughters are Yesenia – 8, Thali a – 6, Araceli - 5, and the newest addition to the fan club was born April 9, 2010.

Twilight Lexicon » Jacob and Isabella Top Popular Baby Names Lists Again 2010

CHICAGO — Araceli Gonzalez is getting used to spending restless nights on an air mattress inside a run-down building behind her daughter's elementary school.

Parents Enroll in Protest Joe Barrett 2010

In a nutshell, Araceli didn't understand why her daughter and her classmates weren't worthy of a small library.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010

Araceli works by day as a bank teller, and she's been operating on very little sleep for the past couple of weeks.

Matt Farmer: Waiting for Library-Man Matt Farmer 2010