Storefront Library Staff Scrapbook

Matt AmoryDevin AsheBrianna BelangerLucy BorgheiinckJing CaoAmy CheungKwan CheungAmalia ChildSusan ChinChia ChuLeslie DavolSam DavolCelia HoMichael HoTony Huang

Fran KeenanJulie LamRebecca LeeCara LeiCindy LiHeather MacLeanLaura Jean MillerAstrid MullerPatrick MurphyJune NgHope NguyenJane PolsonSarah PriceAdam RobinsonJerry Russo

Melissa SaggererAmy SloperSharon TomasuloDat TranPhoenix WangMaria WongValerie WongAnnie WuEmily WuCynthia YeeShirley YuShu Juan YuMaple Zou

Thank you Storefront Library staff, interns, and volunteers!

Turn the page to meet some of the personalities that make up the Storefront Library...

Devin Ashe

Devin (center, in sweatshirt) with other new volunteers at orientation

Recent graduate, Chinese Language & Literature majorLanguages spoken: English, Mandarin & GermanI first heard about the Chinatown Storefront Library from an article in the Boston Sunday Globe, and followed the URL mentioned to find out about opportunities for volunteering. I was initially interested in the project because it struck me as a great way to improve the Chinatown community. Personally, I also have an interest in the research of Chinese classical literature, and a desire to learn more about the cultural communities of Boston.

I have always believed that libraries are rad, and it has been a real pleasure to assist in the various needs of the Storefront Library as its mission evolves. I have no doubt that the work of the project managers and the many volunteers have done a great service to the area.

Brianna Belanger

Brianna watches on at the special event “Home Movie Night”

Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences ‘11I heard about the Storefront Library through the Simmons website and wanted to get involved because I believed in the community building aspect of the project. My customer service skills garnered through past library support staff positions and knowledge gained from my coursework at Simmons served useful at the library. My experience with the project showed me the impact that a library can have on a community as both a meeting place and a source of knowledge. Volunteering with the project helped remind me the importance of advocating for libraries and communities. It is a goal I hope to continue to strive toward throughout my career as a librarian!

Lucy Borgheiinck

Lucy (right) and Phoenix read a story at the Thursday night bilingual storyhour

Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences ’11

Bio coming soon...

Jing Cao

(Not Jing, but a patron at the library during its last weekend)

Technology Consultant, B.A. Classics & Computer Science (Williams College)Languages spoken: English, Cantonese & MandarinOne day, I bumped into a new place in Chinatown while looking for a bathroom. They didn't have one, but I ended up talking to people and decided to volunteer there. The Storefront Library does not fit into a single category. Is it a library? Is it a studio? Is it a conference room? The fact that it was a little bit of everything contributed greatly to its success. At the library, my job was to accommodate patrons' needs, solve their problems, while communicating with them in their preferred language. Here’s an example: one day I was guiding a Chinese mother on how to buy a computer, practicing a piano exercise with her kid, and looking over to see if another woman had successfully submitted her job application on Monster.com, after she asked for help with a cover letter. I switched from station to station, from Mandarin to English, from computers to job hunting, and made sure all of them were getting helped simultaneously. I enjoyed every minute of what I did.

I was there on its last day. It ended its mission with much to be missed by its community. At this place, the staff and volunteers have taught me how a social project with little funding can actually achieve fantastic results. It was truly an experience to have worked for the Storefront Library. If such good things come every time someone goes to the bathroom, the world will be a much better place.

Amalia Child

Amalia enters records into the patron database

Simmons Librarian-in-Training (GSLIS ’11), amateur jewelry-makerLanguages spoken: English & French In September 2009, I moved back to Boston from New York, where I worked for a publisher of romances, mysteries and westerns. Our biggest customers were public libraries with annual subscriptions, and I spoke to librarians every day. Volunteering at the Storefront has been a great way to learn more about this very special neighborhood in Boston and stretch my library muscles, which had been out of use since I was a 15-year-old page in the children’s room at the Belmont Public Library. I've enjoyed cataloging with LibraryThing and meeting other volunteers, and especially seeing the space in use! It's been inspiring as a Library and Information Sciences master’s student watching all the standard services of a library come together creatively and as-needed, using new online tools and patron feedback. The energy and enthusiasm around the project will stay with me for a long time to come.

Susan Chin

Susan looks on as a Storefront Library regular plays a computer game

Retired Accountant, Chinatown residentLanguages spoken: English & Taishanese (Toisanese)I volunteer at the Storefront Library because I’ve been waiting for a Chinatown library since I was young. As a kid, I would walk to the main Copley library once a week in the summer, but rarely during the school year. I loved to read, and really missed having a library in the neighborhood.

When I heard about the Storefront Library, I was so excited that a library finally opened, even if It was only temporary. I have found the Storefront Library to be organized and well-used by the Chinese community. Through this experience, I have a better understanding of how a library is run, from cataloging to organizing books. I also love watching people read, seeing mothers bringing in their children for entertainment, and noticing the interaction in the weekly English conversation classes. As time has passed, I can see the community wholeheartedly embracing the Storefront Library as one of many organizations that has improved their lives.

Celia Ho

Celia (left) interprets in Cantonese as Lucy reads a story during Saturday storyhour

Sales and Marketing Consultant, Lover of Books and LibrariesLanguages spoken: English, Cantonese, Mandarin I'm the oldest child of immigrant parents, and was raised just outside of Chinatown. Growing up, I was fortunate to have many adults in my life who encouraged my love of reading and writing and otherwise encouraged my curiosity for the world. That love of language taught me to realize the power of communication, to seek empowerment through self-education, and perhaps most importantly, to imagine worlds beyond the one in which I grew up. The Storefront Library's bilingual story times have been a perfect way for me to replicate my childhood experiences for others--to pay it forward.

It has been incredibly gratifying to spend my Saturday mornings with kids and parents and grandparents whose life experiences are close to my own. But what I loved most about the Storefront Library was the way it created a common space for people from all walks of life, from toddlers to the elderly, from students and community organizers to Chinese restaurant workers to professionals and retirees. I feel blessed and proud to have had a small part in this project and look forward to a future permanent library.

Tong (Tony) Huang

Tony uses LibraryThing to catalog the English books

Software developer, Chinatown resident, Chinese history/poetry loverLanguages spoken: English, Cantonese, MandarinI moved to U.S. 11 years ago, and 5 years ago moved to Boston’s Chinatown. I was attracted to the culture and liveliness of Chinatown, but felt that something was missing: a library. A library is a place where people can read, learn, share their experiences, and have fun. I know many Chinatown residents feel the same, and while we wanted to do something about it, didn’t know how. The chance came for me one day when I was walking home and I saw a new space with the name, "Storefront Library", and that’s how I came to volunteer.

Volunteering in the Storefront Library has been a fun experience. It is an enjoyment to help out and watch people using all the facilities the Storefront Library provides. As volunteers, we catalog all the books, set up storyhours, movie nights, English conversation practice and we even have a drawing lab. The Storefront Library also serves as an information center, and people come in to ask for help on various things. However, this is only a temporary experiment. It has now fulfilled its purpose to show us Chinatown residents how we can help out in the community, and proved it’s not an impossible dream to have a library in Chinatown. I look forward to a permanent library in the future.

Rebecca Lee

Rebecca assists a patron at the front desk

Real estate attorney, chamber musician, baseball fanI have lived in Boston’s Chinatown since 2004 and worked with Chinatown leaders since 1992, when I first started practicing law and worked on the development of the Oak Terrace housing development in the neighborhood. I have very fond memories of getting my first library card to the Queens Public Library in New York City, where I grew up, and of having the freedom to check out as many books as I could carry! My oldest sister was a school librarian, so I have a sense of the importance of libraries in children’s lives. I was very happy to have the opportunity to work in a volunteer-run library and, particularly, to help older persons learn how to navigate computers (including learning how to read the day’s papers published in China and Hong Kong) and to help children pick out books they’d like to read. It was a very fulfilling way to spend my Saturday mornings, and I hope the Storefront Library experiment helps to create the necessary political strength to get a permanent library for Chinatown. It is long overdue.

Cara Lei

Cara enters book borrowing records into the computer database

High school senior, volleyball captainLanguages spoken: English, Cantonese & MandarinI first heard about the Chinatown Storefront Library from one of my friends who volunteered there. Since I needed community service hours for Summer Search, I joined him in volunteering at the library. I was so excited to know that I could volunteer at a library in Chinatown because I knew it would give me the chance to help Chinese immigrants who don't speak English. During my time in the Chinatown Storefront Library, I have assisted people who don't speak English with checking in/out books. I also help translate flyers from English to Chinese. I am glad that my language skills have enabled me to interact with and help people. I really enjoy meeting new people at the library, and watching kids read books in the kids’ section. Through chatting with patrons, I have also learned about their backgrounds and their stories, and this has really expanded my knowledge of those in the community. I hope to bring the communication skills I’ve gained at the library to my work in the future.

Cindy Li

(Left) Cindy passes out books for Halloween; (right) Reviewing the borrowing ledger

High school student, aspiring artistLanguages spoken: English & CantoneseI volunteer at the library because I thought it would be a new and interesting working experience for me. I actually learned about the Storefront Library from my grandpa who asked Amy, the Program Manager, if I could volunteer. In the Storefront Library, I’m able to use my communication skills, and my bilingual skills in Cantonese and English to help patrons. Through my experience here, I’ve learned that even though Chinatown is known to have many immigrants and other people who don’t speak English, many still want to learn how to read books in English. One of the most enjoyable things about volunteering is watching patrons read books, and noticing how eager they are to borrow them to read at home. Being part of the Storefront Library fits my life goals in helping those who do not speak English.

Heather MacLean

Heather stands in front of the English non-fiction stacks, her favorite section

M. Sc., Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences

Bio coming soon...

Astrid MüllerLaura Jean Miller

Laura Jean coordinates all weekly storyhours, and reads to a rapt audience

M. Sc., Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences I'd worked for years in retail bookstores, leading storytimes, doing outreach to schools, even dressing up as Clifford the Big Red Dog. Here was a chance to bring that experience to a library. The level of freedom was perfect--we could try different things and change them if they didn't work, or do them again if they did. I had so much fun planning the storyhours--choosing picture books, crafts, and little rhymes. (And we managed to scatter bits of construction paper, glitter, and even frosting on the library carpet, so you know we had fun!) As I looked for ways to expand our programs, I discovered resources like teaching kits from the Boston Children's Museum, so I appreciated the importance of looking to the community for services that are waiting to be used. At first I was a little scared to offer Chinese-culture programs for visitors who already knew so much more than I did. But I found families appreciated activities that reflected their heritage, and they were patient with me, even when I hung a Chinese New Year's poster right side up! The Storefront Library gave me such a great experience to begin my library career, and I will always remember the beautiful children who came to our programs, and the wonderful people who welcomed us as a part of their community, if just for a little while.

Astrid poses in front of the kid pod, which she regularly organizes

Stay at home mother, 20 year Beacon Hill residentLanguages spoken: English & GermanI heard about the Storefront Library from the newspaper. I love books and was thinking of going back to school for a Masters in Library Science. Then, due to a health concern in our family, I needed flexibility. The degree and a “real job” would have to wait. Volunteering at the Storefront Library was the perfect fit for me at this moment in time. I’ve been able to contribute to the library with my willingness to do whatever job needs doing, a general knowledge of and enthusiasm for books, research skills to help patrons, and an observant eye to help feed back on the operation of the library.

What I love most is to be engaging somehow with the books. The beginning of the project, when new book donations came in, was particularly memorable . The process of sorting books, and the surprise of finding a great book in the pile, has been my favorite experience. I have also really enjoyed my side conversations about community and libraries with the staff-- very educational, stimulating and inspiring!

Patrick Murphy

Patrick, in front of the kid pod, reviews one of the thousands of donated books

Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences ’11Educator, musicianI began volunteering at the library after I had found out about the project through Radical Reference Librarians, an organization that organizes and lends to support to a variety of community, and start up organizations. Volunteering at the Storefront Library has been a good way to implement not only the aspects of library management that I've been studying academically, but has also been a great learning experience in terms of community organizing. At the Storefront Library, I’ve met people who share similar values and ideals of community service and I have greatlyenjoyed seeing how appreciative members of the community have been intheir response to the space. I enjoy being a part of a group ofpeople who saw that a section of the city was underserved by the lack of a library here, and took action. Volunteering here fits into my life values and goals by providing an opportunity to bring library services to a community that has been without a library for far too long.

June Ng

June (left) and Mrs. Yu assist a young patron in checking out books

Architectural Planning Assistant, Commonwealth of MassachusettsLanguages spoken: English & CantoneseAs a transplant to Boston, I wanted to make the city feel more like home by getting involved and giving back. I learned about the Chinatown Storefront Library through the design community, and I signed up to volunteer because being bilingual in English and Cantonese, I knew I'd be able to make a difference. The most rewarding moments are hearing parents say what a great resource a library in Chinatown is for their children, since it is close to where they live and go to school. Volunteering here has reminded me how similar my background is to many of the kids who come to the Storefront Library. I immigrated from China to New York City’s Chinatown as a child with my family. We didn’t speak English or have any money. I discovered my love of reading, and luckily for me, there was a library near my home where I could read and borrow as many books as I liked ‒ for free! A library is a wonderful place, where anyone is free to go and explore and continue to expand their horizons. I am very privileged to have been a part of this amazing project to bring a library to Chinatown, even if only for a short while.

Hope Nguyen

Hope (right) and Amy C. celebrate the 4000th book cataloged!

Accountant, community volunteerLanguages spoken: English & Vietnamese

Bio coming soon....

Adam Robinson

Adam (far right) presents books bought with a donation from the Harvard Coop

Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences ‘10I became involved with the Storefront Library as an intern during the project's development phase. The library's uniquely experimental design and abbreviated lifespan gave me the opportunity to apply a variety of the skills that I have been learning in the classroom to a real-world library, while also challenging my preconceptions of libraries and library services. I have enjoyed seeing how the community has responded to the space and made it their own, and am pleased we were able to advance the cause of a permanent neighborhood branch here in Chinatown. Most of all I was amazed at what we were able to accomplish almost entirely through volunteers and donations!

Melissa Saggerer

Melissa works with a young student on an animal research project

Simmons Graduate student in Library and Information ScienceLanguages spoken: English, German

A flyer was distributed in one of my classes, and I was immediately intrigued by the Chinatown Storefront Library concept. I saw this project as empowering a disenfranchised group in order to more knowledgeably and forcefully ask for resources, which was very appealing, as I care deeply for social justice movements. I came to the project with my library science knowledge and experience, as well as skills working with the public and children. I appreciated the group's approach to policy creation and evolution. Flexibility was key to the project, and there didn't seem to be any hesitation in adapting procedure as needs of the community were expressed and became clearer. It was also fascinating seeing the data collection and various evaluation methods utilized to measure the project. I enjoyed working with so many other capable and passionate volunteers, seeing such a positive urban space be developed and so many warm interactions with patrons. As I would like to work in a library in the future I was gaining practical work experience, but it was even more gratifying to work for a project that aligns with my personal interests and beliefs.

Amy Sloper

Amy (second from right) with her team for Home Movie Night

Film archivist, Co-organizer Boston Home Movie Night

Bio coming soon...

Sharon Tomasulo

Sharon is not afraid to don moose antlers for storyhour!

Student, Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences, new motherAs a reader and children’s librarian in training, I’m always interested in ways to feed my love of books and of libraries. I worked in publishing for seven years, then decided to enroll in the Simmons GSLIS Program. During my maternity leave from the program, I heard about the Storefront Library through Boston Cares. The project sounded like fun, and my home in Medford is only 15 minutes away on the Orange Line, so I joined up.

Once it started, I realized the project wasn't just fun--it was also fascinating. I’ve learned about running a library from the ground up, and about community activism. I’ve learned that I love working with patrons, and that I run a pretty good storytime (if I do say so myself). I’ve gained ground-level experience not only in a library, but in a social experiment that has taught us all a lot. And I’ve met some wonderful people with whom I’ve been proud to work. The Storefront Library has been a unique experience for me, and an important part of my journey toward becoming a librarian.

Dat Tran

Dat, at a computer station, intently focused on cataloging the books

High school student, pianist, aspiring air force pilot/engineerLanguages spoken: English & VietnameseA friend of mine introduced me to the Storefront Library when she found out I needed community service hours for the Summer Search Leadership and Scholarship Program. It was brilliant that the Storefront Library accepted volunteers from multicultural backgrounds. Working here has helped me in socializing with people and children from different backgrounds too. One of the skills I bring to the library is that I’m very playful and am good around children. Even though I am ethnically Vietnamese and don’t speak Chinese, I have found that working in a Chinatown library can be really enjoyable. Being part of the library has made me realize how important it is for Chinatown to have a library. The idea had never crossed my mind before, but now seeing the status of the library growing, I hope one day Chinatown will have an official, permanent library. After the library is closed, I will bring the experiences I have had here and apply it to my job in the future.

Maria Wong

Maria (left) and Susan unpack books donated by the City of Hangzhou, China, the sister city of Boston

Bio coming soon...

Valerie Wong

Valerie in the periodicals section with a popular Chinese weekly magazine

Retired ESOL teacher, Chinatown residentIt was a great experience to volunteer at the Storefront Library, and make a statement the community really needs a library. I grew up in Chinatown, and I remember going to the Tyler St. branch often. In high school, I worked part-time at the South End Library. It was great to be surrounded by books, and I got to read the newest books coming in!

At the Storefront Library, I saw many people come and go who would not go to the Copley or South End libraries. For some, it is simply too far and too long a walk. For others, it was comforting to walk into a place in the neighborhood filled with Chinese language materials, and staffed with people who spoke their language. In the short time the Storefront Library was open, it provided services that the community needs and wants, such as the ESL conversation group I was involved with. The enthusiasm of the adult learners was unbelievable. With the closing of the library, many patrons expressed disappointment that such a valuable part of the community was no more. In a short time, the community welcomed and thrived on all that the Storefront Library had to offer. Many, many people will miss this place.

Annie Wu

Annie (left) and Sharon show off hedgehog quills for the storyhour craft

Student- Boston University ’11, Elementary EducationLanguages spoken: English & CantoneseThere are many reasons why I spent my Thursdays volunteering at the Chinatown Storefront Library, but the main reason was because this community is like home to me. Though I was never a resident of Chinatown, I grew up spending weekends here and I learned to appreciate it even more in high school and college. I dedicated myself to public service for Chinatown in high school and found it a necessity to continue in college. I always knew that activists in the community were campaigning to bring a local branch back into Chinatown, but I first heard about the project after speaking to community leaders. I loved interacting with the children who came for storyhours, and I practiced my Cantonese with parents and the elderly. From this experience, I learned a lot about the different needs of Chinatown. I will always remember the smiles on patrons’ faces as they walked in and said “Hello!” Volunteering for this project has exposed me to a different side of non-profit work, and I hope to continue working with Chinatown organizations to benefit the community (or possibly even start my own!)

Emily Wu

Emily runs the weekly Monday afternoon English conversation practice

Chinatown residentLanguages spoken: English & MandarinI've been living in Chinatown and working at the Boston Chinese Evangelical Church (BCEC) since fall 2006. In college, I had volunteered as a counselor at Project Destiny, BCEC's summer day camp for middle-school students. That experience opened my eyes to Chinatown as a residential neighborhood, as opposed to simply a place to get bubble tea or a late-night snack. Since then, I've been interested in ways to get involved in neighborhood life, so I was excited to learn about the Storefront Library through The Chinatown Coalition. It seemed like a great opportunity to serve my neighbors and raise awareness of some of the needs in Chinatown. Besides, I've always loved libraries!

During the Library Project, I facilitated "English Conversation Practice" where I had the pleasure of meeting other community members, both patrons and volunteers. One of the most exciting parts of the project was seeing how Boston Street Lab brought a needed resource to the community and created opportunities for community collaboration.

Shirley Yu

Shirley (right) interprets in Cantonese as Sharon reads for the Thursday storyhour

Student, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Chinatown residentLanguages spoken: English & Cantonese

When I first learned about the Chinatown Storefront Library from the internet, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. At the time, I was also looking for opportunities to give back to the community that I grew up in, and I thought that volunteering at the local library would be a good way to do so. Because I am bilingual, I was able to do storyhours for children who have not yet learned English. Not only have I learned to work with young children, I am also glad that I was able to help them check out the books that they really wanted to take home after the storyhours. I feel very fortunate that I was able to be a part of this powerful initiative.

Cynthia Yee

Cynthia and Adam catalog the early donations in the first days of the Storefront

Retired elementary teacher, community volunteer, former Chinatown residentLanguages spoken: English, Cantonese & Toisanese

Bio coming soon...

Shu Juan Yu

Mrs. Yu (right) & Valerie at the front desk; (left) Mrs. Yu greets young visitors at the opening ceremonyStorefront Library- Library AssistantPreacher (Shenzhen, China), secondary school teacher (Guangzhou, China), Book import saleswoman (Guangzhou, China)Languages spoken: Cantonese & Mandarin

The Chinatown Storefront Library is not just a library, but also a cultural center. Here, children and adults enjoy what they like, whether the internet, reading, drawing, English conversation practice, or talking to each other, in a comfortable place.

One day, an old woman said to me: “I don’t like to play mah-johng or gamble, but I don’t know anything else I can do [in Chinatown]”. A mother also said to me, “where can I find someone to help my son with homework?” And of course, many seniors tell me they are interested in health workshops. A library can provide a place for people to socialize, to learn, and to find resources for their life. I am unshakable in my belief that a permanent library in Chinatown will make a valuable contribution in the neighborhood.