School libraries recruit parents in ongoing battle for survival

One of my most memorable school moments took place in a library. I was 17 and sleeping on the grey, carpeted floor between the back stacks, as I tended to do when I had a free period, when I was awoken by voices. There was one distinctive voice in particular – the principal's. As I heard fragments of his speech, "built in 1994", "new computer lab", I joltingly realised my predicament: he was giving parents of prospective students a school tour, and here I was, lying in his way.