{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/d50ft8f946/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["Selina Sharmin Oral History"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/010/original/Aviary_QPLlogo_192x192.png?1578574261","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary of Full Interview\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSelina Sharmin is a librarian who worked at Queens Public Library for almost 20 years; at the time of this interview she was serving as the New Americans Program - Coping Skills Librarian.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSharmin is an immigrant from Bangladesh herself. In this interview she talks about her family, marrying her husband and moving to the U.S.; how she studied to be a librarian in Bangladesh, and her journey to becoming a Librarian at Queens Public Library. She talks about taking English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at Queens Public library to help with her language skills, starting the first Bengali story time at QPL; her involvement supporting immigrant women in the community, the many projects, and outreach initiatives she’s been involved with, and the mentorship she gave and received from her colleagues at Queens Public Library. Selina Sharmin also discusses the growing Bengali population in Queens since she came in 2000, how the library was a refuge when she first came to the U.S. and was lonely, her hobbies like poetry \u0026amp; writing a cookbook, and being a mother.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},{"label":{"en":["Rights Statement"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eCC BY-NC-SA Contact digitalarchives@queenslibrary.org for research and reproduction requests.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},{"label":{"en":["Source Metadata URI"]},"value":{"en":["http://digitalarchives.queenslibrary.org/search/browse/43784"]}},{"label":{"en":["Date"]},"value":{"en":["2020-02-12 (created)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Tags"]},"value":{"en":["Queens College Alumni"]}},{"label":{"en":["Type"]},"value":{"en":["Audio"]}},{"label":{"en":["Agent"]},"value":{"en":["Selina Sharmin (Interviewee)","Josselyn Atahualpa (Interviewer)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Coverage"]},"value":{"en":["2000s-2020 (temporal)","Astoria, Jamaica, Jackson Heights, Ozone Park, St. Albans, Flushing, \u0026amp; Queens Village, Queens, NY (spatial)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Language"]},"value":{"en":["English"]}}],"summary":{"en":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary of Full Interview\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSelina Sharmin is a librarian who worked at Queens Public Library for almost 20 years; at the time of this interview she was serving as the New Americans Program - Coping Skills Librarian.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSharmin is an immigrant from Bangladesh herself. In this interview she talks about her family, marrying her husband and moving to the U.S.; how she studied to be a librarian in Bangladesh, and her journey to becoming a Librarian at Queens Public Library. She talks about taking English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at Queens Public library to help with her language skills, starting the first Bengali story time at QPL; her involvement supporting immigrant women in the community, the many projects, and outreach initiatives she\u0026rsquo;s been involved with, and the mentorship she gave and received from her colleagues at Queens Public Library. Selina Sharmin also discusses the growing Bengali population in Queens since she came in 2000, how the library was a refuge when she first came to the U.S. and was lonely, her hobbies like poetry \u0026amp; writing a cookbook, and being a mother.\u003c/p\u003e"]},"requiredStatement":{"label":{"en":["Attribution"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eCC BY-NC-SA Contact digitalarchives@queenslibrary.org for research and reproduction requests.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},"provider":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/aboutus","type":"Agent","label":{"en":["Queens Public Library"]},"homepage":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/","type":"Text","label":{"en":["Queens Public Library"]},"format":"text/html"}],"logo":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/010/original/Aviary_QPLlogo_192x192.png?1578574261","type":"Image"}]}],"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/130/994/small/Screenshot_%286%29.png?1638532061","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994","type":"Canvas","label":{"en":["Media File 1 of 1 - Sharmin-Selina-by-Atahualpa-Josselyn-02122020.Mp3"]},"duration":3410.19994,"width":640,"height":360,"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/130/994/small/Screenshot_%286%29.png?1638532061","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/content/1","type":"AnnotationPage","items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/content/1/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"painting","body":{"id":"https://aviary-p-queenslibrary.s3.wasabisys.com/collection_resource_files/resource_files/000/130/994/original/Sharmin-Selina-by-Atahualpa-Josselyn-02122020.Mp3?1638531788","type":"Audio","format":"audio/mpeg","duration":3410.19994,"width":640,"height":360},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994","metadata":[]}]}],"annotations":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["Full Transcript [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Good morning. My name is Jocelyn Atahualpa and I'm the Queens Memory program coordinator. I'm conducting an oral history interview with Selina Sharmin at the Jamaica Central Library. Today is Wednesday, February 12th, 2020. So Selena, tell me about yourself.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=0.0,21.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/2","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Hello, good morning. My name is Selina Sharmin. I work at Queens Public Library, New Americans Program as a coping skills librarian. And yes, I came to this country, 2000 August. And, since I already had a master's and master's degree in library, information science. After I came here for the first time with my husband and I found the Queens Public Library. I already had prior knowledge about the library system in this country. So basically I found a job as a part time library worker. And then, that was the beginning. And after that, I didn't have to look back because I think I made the right choice, making the library card for myself. And I believe the library card is the passport for the world and at the library. At the library, I, I get help from librarians and they are my superhero in my life I'll talk, you know, later on about them.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=21.0,99.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/3","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: And, uh, I came from Bangladesh and I came from, really a wealthy family. My father was a businessman, transport businessman, Bahar Uddin Miah, I'm Muslim, and I have five sisters and two brothers. And the hometown I came from is named Tangail. Uh, but I grew up in a very good environment. So I had a knowledge about education. My father was really, into like all the children should be, get educated. My father used to say that, uh, if I have it, if anybody has it like an educated mother, the nation will be educated. And my mother, Basiron Nesa. She's a very terrific woman. All out of five sisters, I'm the number fourth. Uh, my mother taught us everything. Uh, he taught us like ABCs and then, you know, Bengali language, how to read and write. That was the beginning from the, you know, in our home.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=99.0,162.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/4","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Uh, so I, um, I was born and raised in Bangladesh. So later on in 1996, I got married to a person who was living here and then he went back to Bangladesh. So we had a matchmaking, wedding. So that's the reason I could migrate to this country. And I just said, I made the right choice, that I came to the library and then made my library card. And the librarians helped me, so I was able to go back to library school here in, you know, Queens College. And, during my working time, later on, I, I got promoted to several positions, such as, after school activity, assistant and, children's, librarian trainee, a children's librarian. And I graduated from Queens college, a master's in library science, 2009.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=162.0,226.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/5","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Cool. That's a lot. Um, so you mentioned you already were interested in library studies, I guess, back in Bangladesh, right? And so from the beginning, you knew that you wanted to be some sort of part of the library, right? Or because you mentioned studying, right?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=226.0,241.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/6","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: I mean, yes. I had the knowledge about library and since I was a librarian already in my country. If I were in my country, I will be professor, teaching library and information science. But since I had to come here with my husband and then, I wanted to be a housewife. I didn't want to work outside, but my husband wanted, started a business in downtown Manhattan. So during the 9/11, 2001, we lost $40,000 for the business. At that time, my husband had a stroke, and, um I couldn't think going back to my country, because all of my family members living in Bangladesh, you know, at the time. And then my husband said, no, we cannot go back to our country. Uh, this is our country now. So we need to start it over. And then we discussed, I said, can we, can I go back to school here?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=241.0,299.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/7","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: But I didn't have money. Think about it. We lost everything. But the good thing is I was still working at the Queens Public Library at that time, part-timer. So I spoke to the librarians, Ms. Lynn Gonen, Carol Goldman, and they were the Children's Services head. So they helped me with the reference letter and pretty good talking. I didn't work outside the Queens Public Library. I didn't, I didn't have to work anywhere. From the Human Resource to anybody at the library. They helped me, you know, they knew like I was working and I wanted to become a librarian. And, pretty much like at that time, I didn't even know that if I became a librarian, I'll be the first Bangladeshi woman who will be librarian working at the Queens Public Library. So it was a huge help from the library perspective because later on Queens Public Library, gave me, supported me. The tuition reimbursement program. I think, you know, that Queens Public Library has a tuition reimbursement program. Anybody who works full time, if they go to library school, they supported with the tuition fee. So Queens Library helped me became a librarian. And, after that, my husband worked part time. And then, you know, then I was working at the library and pretty much my, my son was born. By the way, I have two children. My son Ryeem Mawahib, he was born 2002, he is 17 years old now, and my daughter Elma Rudmila, she is 12 years old. Both of my children are born here. So when I started library school, I was, you know, I had a young kid, I was working full time and I was attending school part time. But I, again, I have to mention that Queens Public Library supported me, with the tuition fee. Otherwise I would not became, you know, librarian or [unclear] you today.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=299.0,426.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/8","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah, for sure. I've heard about the reimbursement program and it's helped a lot of people. So you mentioned you got here in August, 2020, no 2000. And then by December, 2000, you're already part of the library. So can you tell us a little bit more about kind of your trajectory through library? 'Cause you mentioned different types of jobs, and then maybe ending it with, um, what you're currently doing, what your responsibilities are now?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=426.0,450.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/9","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Yeah, sure. Uh, so when I came to the library, like 2000 in December, it was a really sweetie story because, after I came to this country, I was, you know, at that time I was bored at home. I didn't have any children. And I just came from Bangladesh. My husband worked 24 seven to support both of us, and as I said, he just started the business. So we had to do a lot. And then I said, hey, uh, I want to go to library, let's see what they have. So one day I came to the library and I spoke to Jennifer Carter. She was my supervisor, you know, and I told her, hey, I have green card. My English spoken was really bad and poor. And she said, well, um, we need some, we need someone, let's see if you can do, you know, something like this. And then she took my interview and then, I got the job right away. It was December 17, 2000. I remember. And, after I signed the job and everything, I went outside of the library, remember that at that time we had the payphone outside, you know, on the street. So I called my husband at his job, like, hey, Queens Library hired me. So it was a very good news for me. So since I started working at the Queens Library, public library, and, I had a chance to speak to the librarians, my supervisor all the time. And I'm very friendly, I guess. And I have a bubbly personality. So Queens Library, has an ESOL classes. So I started also taking ESOL classes and, those are free. I spoke to my husband, my husband said, honey, I cannot give you the money to act in English classes outside, you know, library since library has the free.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=450.0,567.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/10","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So he suggested me to take the classes. So I also felt like, like I need to improve my English. So you can tell that I am one of the successful story from the ESOL class, from the Queens Public Library. So at the same time I was working, I was taking the English classes one semester after another semester. So from beginning to intermediate and advanced. I attended like almost two years. And then, uh, by the help of the librarians, uh, they gave me the recommendation letter to go back to Library School because at that time nobody knew me. So I became like in my, local community, like already, like what Selena is doing, you know, it was kind of like everybody was talking about me. But I didn't, it is in a bad way, not the good way they thought, like I should be staying home, having children in the Bangladeshi community, because at that time not more women are into the school. That's my, you know, cultural experiences in America, but nobody could stop me. I thought like when my son was born in 2002, we lost our $40,000 for business I got no choice, so I was pushing myself harder. And once again, my family, my husband Farhad Talukder, he helped me, supported me, like do whatever you need to do. And at the same time from the library, the librarians, as I said, they're my superhero. They were helping me guiding me what I needed to do. And I was finishing like 12 credits, 24 credits because for librarianship, as you know, it requires 36 credits. Right? So by the time I, hit to 24 credits, library hired me as a librarian, you know, activity assistant for one of the branches, Baisley Park. So I was working there as an Activity Assistant.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=567.0,688.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/11","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So the children's librarian, Alice Ellington, she left the job and she told me \"Selena apply for the position.\" I said, I have not finished the library science, how can I apply? She said, you never know just try it. Then I reached out to the human resource. And at that time, Ms. Roseanne Cerny was the coordinator for children's services. She took my interview. Yeah, and I was selected and she was so excited like, you know, after she took my interview and then I promoted to the librarian trainee. So after that, when I graduated 2009 from Queens College, Masters in Library Science, I was promoted to full time children's librarian, right. And I was getting training from Queens Public Library. It's the requirement mandatory. So I was also building the collections. And then, surprisingly, my daughter was born, you know, my son and daughter is five years apart. So it's 2007 my daughter was born. So I had to go for few months for leave, maternity leave. When I came back, it was in different branch, South Ozone Park. And then when I started at South Ozone Park, I saw the community was growing. As I told you, I'm the first Bengali, speaking, women librarian in the library. And I saw the demographic was changing little bit, 2007. So I discussed with my manager. So I started, I bought the collection of Bengali for that, branch South Ozone Park, with the help of manager. And, I started first Bengali bilingually story time. At that time I invited, Councilwoman Michelle Titus. She came to my program. She did the story to the children. She donated like 250 people, pizza and $500 for the library. And right after that 2010, I was laid off.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=688.0,816.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/12","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: It was heartbreaking. At that time because of budget cut, you know, it's a huge issue for the library system. Invest your library 2010. The requirements was last, come first out. So I graduated 2009. So I was one of them, 46, library employees was.. received the, laid off notice. And, I was so upset, I said, this is not fair. We're talking about life. And I became an activist that's because according to the library policy, no senior librarian should be laid off August by September 3rd. But I became senior librarian, August 1st and union, you know, librarian has a union. So they fought for me and I was with the library and I was laid off for two months. I was worried because who's gonna hire me. And then my husband also got laid off at the same time. And New York times they took my interview and then a New York One took my interview and I was talking all sort of like active. I became an activist. So on that year out of three, library system, a New York Public, Brooklyn, and Queens, Public Library. Queens Public Library received $1 million more. And we were called back, 46 people. So I came back in November. So when I came back, at Central Library Youth Services, I saw there is a job description, for coping skills. I did not know then nothing about it, only the New Americans Program. So I thought, okay, as a perspective employer, how do you look into my experiences? I want to try this position. And then I took that opportunity. And then, they thought I'm qualified for this job. And honestly speaking at that time, 2010 as, my supervisor was Fred Gitner, Assistant Director of New Americans program at the time. So he thought they needed a Bengali speaking, you know, librarian. And I was at the right time and the right place.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=816.0,949.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/13","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So I came to New Americans program 2011, and started with, since then, I'm working with New Americans Program as a coping skills librarian. This year is the 9th year. And part of my job responsibility is to organize educational workshops, other languages than English. Since I am speaking, Bengali speaking, you know, librarian professional, I also, I am in a committee. We have a Namaste Adaab language committee. So which, we buy, materials, books, DVDs, CDs, and also magazines for Queens Library. We have a committee, but I'm in the committee too.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=949.0,993.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/14","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: What was the committee called?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=993.0,995.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/15","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Namaste Adaab. [crosstalk]. So this is where I am now. And, I'm also doing, citizenship workshops, citizenship classes throughout 65 locations. Any languages spoken in Queens, even naming, as we know, Queens has 2.3 million people living in. 47% people are other languages, you know, speaker. And, we have like languages over 160 languages, 180 countries people live here and I love my job. I think I found a niche all like everybody has their ups and downs. I believe that everybody has a story. And when I'm serving immigrants, I'm an immigrant myself. I became citizen 2005. And, as I said, my husband was laid off. I was laid off, but nothing could stop us moving forward because we are proud citizen, you know, for the United States of America.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=995.0,1060.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/16","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah. I think it's really interesting when we really look at your career and your trajectory through Queens Library, like you were working at the Library, but also making use of the services, right? Like you want to target demographic to an extent, Right? And I think that's also why you were so successful and why you're still here for so long and why you've created so many different programs, Right? Um, could you talk a little bit more about the specific programs that you've catered to the Bengali community? I know you mentioned. Um, yeah, I think it's just interesting to hear the different programs specifically that you have made as, um, the coping skills librarian.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1060.0,1096.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/17","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Okay. Um, since I, uh, became full, uh, full time a children's librarian by serving, uh, to, uh, community, uh, library clients, as I said, demographic is changing, since 2010 to 2020 Bangladeshi communities has grown, uh, more than 110%. I can tell you in New York city. And then, um, we are, uh, I mean, my experiences is my experience is, uh, when women came. Came to the library, they found, I speak Bengali and they started telling me their problems, their issues, some of them are victim of domestic violence. It bothers me. And, um, I was not a coping skills librarian at the time. So I discussed with my manager, we contacted with new Americans program at South Ozone Park. So we did, we had a program called workshop called, Women you are not alone. Uh, but the women came to the workshop it was for the first time thinking about it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1096.0,1166.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/18","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Women said, oh I don't need the help, my cousin need help. There are a few Guyanese people came two or three Bengali people, but they didn't want to talk about it. So it was that beginning. So I saw an, also being a Bangladeshi in New York city. There are 12 newspapers now. I always read Bengali newspaper. So just to catch up what is going on in local newspapers, you know, and due to our technology online, we also know a lot about Bangladeshi issues, you know, and then when I came to New Americans Program, there is an organization called connect. They are now doing domestic violence, project healing and learning circles for women. And I got excited. This is specifically catering to the Bangladeshi women. So we started from New Americans Program, Woodside Library and Jackson, Heights, and Broadway. Those are the like Astoria oriented Bangladeshis. By the way, Bangladeshis, when came to this country in New York city, they started staying at Astoria.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1166.0,1233.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/19","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Now they are moving towards to Jamaica. Now they're buying houses to Queens, Queens village, something like that, they are moving towards. So it was specifically, um, one workshop that I can tell you that women are coming. They're getting help, you know, um, uh, they're getting benefit from that, uh, workshop because, uh, they learn about how to find a job, how to do know your rights and how to get adjustment in this country, all those like cultural thing. So the organization is helping us, New Americans Program. I'm the coordinator. So I coordinate that program and it is in Bengali, Hindi and Urdu. Don't forget about the other, you know, how to reach out communities. They don't come to the library and women has lots of issues. Another, a very successful program for Bangladeshi families. Um, after I, uh, came to Central Library, uh, you know, when I get back to get back from laid off, I was hired back, right?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1233.0,1296.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/20","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So at the Central Llibrary I had, I was, I mean, library requested me to do a Bengali program. So it was from New Americans Program, like story hour in Bengali, with Selena Sharmin. And then, uh, all the library departments, you know, head, they came to the program, there was 61 people came down, it was 2011. Um, uh, yes, 2011 61 families, and more than a hundred people attended that workshop right here at central. And that program was Bengali story hour was the first time I had done it. And it was telecast to the Bengali channel to like more than 70 countries. And then it was also focused, you know, the newspaper and then in our library history, that new services added to the library. So those two, successful programs for Bengalis. And right now, I mean, I'm still focusing on that, what do you call healing and learning circle, you know. And believe it or not, uh, last nine years at NAP, we have done more than like thousands programs for Bangladeshi. And specifically Bengali language, more than 300 workshops I have coordinated. And it is a very, you know, uh, like, very hard to reach our community. Most of the Bangladeshis men, they drive taxi 80%, 10% are educated or doing other job. That's like my statistic because part of a coping skills librarian job is to, you know, uh, think about the, look into the demo demographic on this particular area. For example, Jackson, Heights, South Jamaica, Central Astoria, Flushing, Woodside - these are like Bengali, you know, uh, branches. So we put Bengali workshop on that, you know, and not only that from New Americans Program, we celebrate. Um, we have a Cultural Arts Librarian, so we celebrated Bengali new years. And this year, 2020, uh, we will be celebrating international mother's language day, at Flushing Library, and I'm helping with the translation. And then I contacted, uh, you know, with the Consulate General and she is very eager to do all these, you know, cultural program, specifically international mother language day at the library. We started from NAP last year and this year, the second year. Uh, so it's a very successful project for Bangladeshi communities that NAP. And I'm glad that NAP is doing it, and I'm part of it. It's a teamwork. Um, my supervisor is Cathy Chen. Uh, she's very supportive, to our staff and we're very like, you know, blessed that we have the team like that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1296.0,1476.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/21","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: So to clarify, NAP is the New Americans Program? .","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1476.0,1480.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/22","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Yes.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1480.0,1481.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/23","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Um, and they, anything to do with the immigrant community, like everything from citizenship classes to","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1481.0,1488.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/24","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: We are the department, Yes. We are under PSD program and services department. Part of NAP's job is to, you know, this is like immigrant services. We provide any kind of, we have resource, uh, we have, uh, ESOL classes. We have, um, citizenship, of course, and then, you know, any languages program, you name it for example, like Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Haitian, Spanish, Russian. So we do all the languages, you know, happening right now at the Library. I'm the coping skills and, you know, I coordinate educational workshop, other languages than English and my colleague Radames Suarez, he does the Cultural Arts Program. We even celebrate, uh, from New Americans Program, Chinese Lunar New Year, like you know","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1488.0,1538.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/25","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: On new year's? I think. Yeah. I mean, Selina that you're such a powerhouse, honestly. You've done so much. And I think it really speaks to one, the New American Program. New Americans Program kind of like, um, catering itself and the programming to different new immigrant waves that come right. And how they change throughout the years. Um, but I think your experience specifically with the library really signals how libraries now more than ever are so important. They're like really community centers, right? Like people come to the library for so many different things right. From, for classes and all of which is free, Right? And so I think it's really important to underscore how there are very few places in New York City now that are accessible and free and the way that the library is. And yeah, just hearing that you were laid off, like in the 20 and 2010 and like other people were, and like we're constantly under, under like money is always an issue in the library. Right. We're always trying to figure out it's so important that people understand we're doing so much, library's doing so much. And like, we need to doing that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1538.0,1604.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/26","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: I mean, yeah, you're right. Because, um, you know, as I said, I'm in the right place at the right person. How many times do I need to do the outreach? I do outreach from New Americans Program to schools, to churches. And then, uh, I go to mosque, you know, to, to let the people know about the library services, what Queens library offers. We have books, not only that. And we are outside of the boundary, we do lots of outreaching. I don't only do outreaching in Bengali communities. Like I go here, you know, possibly every immigrant group, you know, I do outreach, uh, specifically like when people come from Bangladesh, uh, I don't know, by this time there's somewhat, um, you know, learn about, know about bank, you know, library. So Queens Library in Jamaica is a huge impact for Bangladeshi communities and from New Americans Program, whenever I'm doing specific something, I put the information in the newspaper.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1604.0,1663.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/27","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So people also know, and one of the newspapers, they always give support posting our, you know, press release or something. They always doing it. So that's another way of doing outreach. And sometimes from the TV channel, they took my interview live, you know, so that's the way people also know the, uh, like the Library services. We also have, uh, Chinese media and Spanish media. We, we do the publicity through that. And one of the hard to reach out community is Haitian and Arabic, Hindi and Urdu. Our language requirements is like six languages. You know, main languages spoken in Queens, for example, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Bengali, and another one is Spanish. So six languages. We mainly focus on that. You know, we have to have coping skills workshop possibly every month for that six languages. If not next month, the following month, we will cover in a year, try to serve that kind of community.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1663.0,1728.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/28","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So when, as I said, when people come from Bangladesh and, uh, outside of library job, my husband is a community leader. So he get a phone call, how can find a job and you know, how can we find a house or Medicaid, you know, Medicaid, this and that. And my husband, of course, he promote me. Like go talk to my wife and they come to the library. Sometimes from the reference desk at Central Library or cyber center or security. They say \"Selina you have a customer, you have a client.\" So I go downstairs, like, you know, maybe somebody nowadays, I found that people coming with the families, you know, parents, children, they need to open their library card. They need to know the library services. And there you go. At that time, I, you know, five, 10 minutes of outreaching, I give you a talk.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1728.0,1777.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/29","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So they learn about, you know, and then I don't, you know, forget to give them my contact information email so they can communicate. Even though nowadays many writers, you know, in, in New York city, there are many writers group, uh, they contact with me, they, donate their books, you know, which is public. As you know, budget is tight. So we cannot buy all the time books. We do have a space limitation. So I do the book review. If the book is really good, something that we needed. So I accept that, you know, donation and put it in the, our collection for Bengalis. Uh, another thing I want to mention to you that before I forget, I'm very actively involved with New York Library Association, and we can, Library association as you know, librarians have the associations. And then, uh, last year I became the vice president from one of the round table is called ethic services, roundtable.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1777.0,1834.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/30","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: And this year I'm the president current president. And then part of that group, uh, job is to educate other librarians. When you go to conferences, we have the booth and everything. So we have the publication, we have the book and then other brochure in other languages, even though we have a voucher about how to contact with a publisher like vendor. So we have 160 vendors list in a brochure. So other librarians, when they come to the conference, they can have it. So we are promoting. And also it is one of my, uh, job responsibility to organize a workshop. It's a teamwork. We have the board members. So we organize, um, what do you call a presentation. So last year the conference was at, um, uh, Albany in Saratoga Spring. We had a very successful program, hard to reach out to community like census 2020 and Queens Memory Project.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1834.0,1898.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/31","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So Natalie Milbrodt, she was one of the speaker. And then, her co- speaker was Taina Evans from Brooklyn Public Library. So it was very successful and well attended programs. So those kinds of stuff, like, you know, I'm also doing it. And recently from South Carolina Library School, the director, she contacted with me. I met her at the conference. She invited me to be a guest speaker. Like what, what job I am doing online course. And from St. Johns university, they also contacted with me. So I'll be a guest speaker to their, you know, library science classes too. So these two exciting project I'm doing now.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1898.0,1948.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/32","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah. That reminds me, well that shows me that like library studies or library shift has grown so much beyond just like learning, knowing about books and like cataloguing and stuff. It's like, you're, you're the example of how library studies has grown and how to have a successful library. It has to look different in 2020, you know?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1948.0,1971.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/33","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Your right. How many I mentored from Queens Public Library? I mentored three or four librarians. They became a librarian. And also every single day when I speak to somebody, I try to encourage them to become a librarian, you know, and now from my community, librarians, um, uh, is now everybody knows that librarianship is a, uh, is a profession. They can have it. And one of the child, when I started at central library as a part timer, I knew her as a child, but she loves the library. So gradually when she went to high school, you know, it's been 20 years, I'm talking about. So she became a, she went to Library School. She wanted to be a librarian. And guess what? I had to do the reference letter for her. I was so proud that somebody from the library she gave me, she didn't even know that librarians at the library, Queens public library, they didn't know me. I was an employee. So they gave me the reference letter. And then when it was my time, I give her the reference letter. So she became a librarian at Brooklyn Public Library. She 's working as a children's librarian. It's like very successful story. And I can tell you every time. I don't know, maybe it's like, uh, something like passion, the work I do, because as an immigrant, I was at the other side of the table right now, as I said, I became citizen and I did it by myself. Nobody helped me. I didn't hire any lawyer. So now I'm helping immigrants go through our citizenship workshop, these and that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=1971.0,2076.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/34","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: And then I can tell you now that this side of the table, I understand perfectly. And I learn a little bit of Spanish, like conversational, even though when I say buenos diasnpeople think like I can speak the language they feel comfortable. And for the customer service for Queens Public Library, I think this is important, your personality, how you want to serve the client and be aware of the current issues. Not only me, all the librarians are terrific. They're very intelligent. You know, they worked really hard and then to get the things done and also the clients we have, we try our highest, you know, professionalism to help them. And as I can tell you, I have worked 42 physical locations at Queens Public Library. Uh, I was transferred to few branches and other libraries like when I have some workshops, uh, if the presenter is new, I need to go there and monitor them. So I supervise. So all the New York City's community based organizations, they are partnered with new Americans program. And since I'm the coping skills librarian. So part of my job is to contact with them. Uh, from the Queens Public Library, New Americans Program. I'm also a Taskforce member from Melinda Katz, you know, Borough Presidents, Melinda Katz taskforce. So each month they have a training or meeting with 70 other organization. At that time, we do the, um, connection. We make connections and the outreach and with the help of, uh, Melinda Katz Borough Presidents office, uh, we did new Americans program did last year immigrant resource fair. More than 700 people came. So it was a very successful program. And, uh, one of my successful workshop from New Americans Program was 2012. I remember I joined 2011 to New Americans Program. So one of the organizations, they contacted with us and we had to do live telecast from San Francisco, USCIS, which is United States Immigration Services through Flushing Library. It was a live telecast, the lawyers and the immigration services officer. They spoke to the people at Flushing Library on, you know, live. And that's because Queens Public Library has that capacity. All the equipment, and there were 180 people, Chinese speaking. They attended, 10 media was there. So we were well you know, equipped for everything. So that was my first and then still, now that that was very successful. But right after that, we did many other workshops from new Americans Program. I'm very blessed and there's a very successful story, uh, that we know, uh, we are doing it. And it's a blessing to have a job like this.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2076.0,2267.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/35","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah. I obviously like, I'm super fascinated, but the more I hear you talk about it, like, it's, it's part of you paying it forward, right? Like you've been through stuff and you want to contribute back to the community, but also you, you just, I feel like understanding and embody what libraries as a place for community really means. Like, you're so good at outreach. Like you mentioned, you've been to 42 different branches of like, what 65 that we already have? Um, I know you also wanted to talk a little bit about kind of your experience in Queens generally and how that's the library, like, you know, every corner of Queens, you know, all the different immigrant communities. So yeah. So if you want to talk about that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2267.0,2305.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/36","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: yes. I mean, since I have to travel every corner or every Queens Library, you know, we have the workshops. I can tell you last 20 years, I've been living here the demographic had changed a lot. Even though like, you know, small corner of the, like, you know, the stores are changing. And then, uh, right after, you know, like South side or North side, uh, you know, Jamaica Avenue, they're building, you know, taller buildings. And I think if I'm not wrong, uh, Jamaica received a grant that, you know, to renovate in a newly from the city, it's a city fund or something.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2305.0,2346.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/37","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Jamaica library?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2346.0,2346.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/38","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Not Jamaica Library, Jamaica, Queens, from the City in general. So they're creating new buildings, this and that. And, um, yes. And then I live a few blocks from this library. Central library is my home branch.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2346.0,2362.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/39","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Oh, so you live in Jamaica.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2362.0,2363.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/40","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: I live in Jamaica last 20 years and, my children they're, they went to school like next to my door, so it was easier. And then even though I drive, but I come to work walking. So by walking, I became a library, you know, lady, uh, people stopped me on the street and the Selena and what is going on at the library? Oh, I need citizenship. Oh my, uh, my brother came from Bangladesh. They need to do the, you know, so it's just like, uh, this neighborhood is now my hometown. I feel like I was born here. And then the food, the store, and then the clothing store has been changing. We still have a Spanish bakery, right at the corner, the, you know, of Hillside and Merrick Boulevard. Now it's the Bengali, you know, biryani house, something like this. So demographic is changing. Uh, not only in Jamaica, Queens, I think everywhere, South Ozone Park when I was there 2007, uh, that's the neighborhood about blue collar, but now mostly like, uh, Bangladeshi people are buying houses over there. And then also the Bangladeshi people are also coming to St. Albans, South Jamaica.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2363.0,2438.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/41","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: To where, where's the first place?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2438.0,2438.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/42","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: St. Albans, South Jamaica, this area, they are buying houses and Queens Village, is little bit like, you know, expensive like houses, but they are moving towards that, you know, area. So yeah, food, clothes and supermarket is been changing. Uh, so that's alarming. Uh, yeah.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2438.0,2442.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/43","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Alarming because it's just new all the time or?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2442.0,2442.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/44","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: It's changing, like gradually it's changing. I, the reason, I mean like alarming, the Bangladeshis are growing. So from the library perspective, we need to educate them not only about the library services, about the living in New York City, living in America, they need to be equipped about vocational training, for example, computer classes, or I forgot about, you know, uh, tell you about my, uh, our new Americans programs, Bengali computer classes. And, um, most of the Bengalis Bangladeshis, when they come, uh, they are educated. They have degrees in masters from other, you know, uh, college education. But, from here, they need to learn vocational, like computer skills we already had before Chinese, Spanish and English computer classes, as you know, Queens Public Library, every branch has, computers. And then, you know, um, the computer classes and then, uh, due to the, uh, request from the clients, Bangladeshi community, we started from a New Americans Program Bengali computer classes. It's been five years, I guess. So it, so it is our role, uh, from the library that we need to educate these people, not only Bangladeshi any immigrants communities coming to this country or Queens. And first step, they come to the library. So that is, you know, alarming for us, like what we can do for this group of people. So when we do something like immigrant resource fair, people are coming, they already know the ESL classes, our ESOL classes are full.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2442.0,2576.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/45","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: You know, we do it in two semesters. And then for Central Library, we have the, uh, mail-in applications and the classes, the registration is full pretty much. So that's our role. Like we need to educate these people, um, not only learning the library services, what you are doing, but they need to get benefit from those classes. And I think, uh, they're, uh, you know, coming, we're doing outreach, we try our best. And, um, you know, uh, we are proud that we have libraries for everybody, you know, and then we have the administration and then support system, not only for the customers we are serving, we also have inside staff, like, you know, we have training and then we have support and a pretty good, you know, I can tell you, like, you know, is good.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2576.0,2632.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/46","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah. Um, so maybe transitioning a little into more about Selena and your personal life. I know you mentioned that you have a cookbook, you're a poet. Um, so yeah. Tell us that side of you.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2632.0,2645.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/47","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Yes, when I came to this country, I was lonely, the children, were not born. So, and I was in a huge ocean of books at the library. And, I still, I read I always read. And, um, I tried to read like whatever I like. And as a student, when I was in early, in my high school, I was very studious. I received a scholarship in fifth grade and eighth grade. So I was basically a good student. I loved to do read still I love to read. So I was bored. And then I, since I was working at the library, so I wanted to read every book possible. And since I was focusing on to became a children's librarian, so I read how many picture books you don't even ask me? I can write picture books, like, you know, easy peasy, but I started writing like poetry, like whenever in Bengali. And then, cooking is my passion and whatever I cook now, my children's are, grew up. We usually eat Bengali food at home, like fish curry, rice, dhall, roti. But my children they're, you know, not obsessed, but they like sandwiches, fried rice, Chinese chicken wing, something like this. So I have to improvise and something like fusion food, like, here you go. This is like, you know, Bengali chicken with gravy. And here is Chinese, fried rice. And that gives me, that gives me sort of like inspiration oh ho!, I can have my cookbook because my son he's 17 years old. He loves, both of my children, they love my cooking. So if I die where they are going to find my recipe, so my cookbook almost done. So I'm doing it like one side Bengali, another side in English. You never know. Maybe somebody, you know, would like to share my recipe. That's one thing I'm really excited about it. And I'm also writing my own book, like an autobiography, it will be details the story I told you in details, and then a case by case. And, um, the name of the book is like, journey is not short was not short. That means it was a long story. And then an immigrant successful story that kind of, you know, title I'm thinking, but it is in English though. And then I'm a dancer. I love to dance. As a child, as a kid, even though I'm Muslim, but my parents are really modern. So they had me taught everything, dance, singing vocal. I was in a girl scout and the red cross, all these, you know, in my country, I had done it.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2645.0,2832.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/48","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: So yeah, you know, I do this kind of stuff. And also I love gardening, for my parents' house at the roof of my roof, of my parents' house. I had a Rose garden and there are more than hundred Rose plants. So I didn't take care of, we had take a caretaker. Well, that's something fascination like I'm dreaming some days, maybe it will be my full time passion, uh, to have a Rose garden in here in this country, because this is a new country for me now. And, , when you think about as a professional, Selena and personal, Selena, as a professional, I'm very much aware of my job that I'm doing every single day and Queens Library trained me that way and sort of like, I build a personality when I come to work, I'm a worker professional dedicated when I go home, I'm full time mom. So I cook for them. I take care of my family, whatever they needed to do. That's the distinguish between, you know, two person like a Selena Sharmin and we have a community organization I'm very much actively involved with their cultural program and any sort of like Bangladeshi you know, event is going on an hour of it. People are inviting me. So.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2832.0,2920.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/49","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: You're part of a specific community organization, or just general you're involved with community oriented.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2920.0,2926.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/50","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: I mean, we have been a hometown organization is called Probashi Tangil Bashi. Honestly they get more help, not because of like, you know, I work at the library, as I said, like, my husband is a community leader and, I'm with him. So we have a picnic for every year, once a year during the summer, more than 800 people. My husband organize all this, he's the president and he wrote the bylaws for the organization, hometown organization. They also gave me a citation of honor for education that I, you know, and the services that I'm doing. And 2015 ]two thousand fifteen] Melinda Katz the borough president. She also awarded me with a citation of honor for serving Bangladeshi community and Bengali literature, you know, in this country. And yes, it is important because when I go to the community, I still talking about library services, you know, as I said, like many people now, they come to me, Hey, Selena, I have a, um, do you want my account? You know, fines, what should I do? Oh, I have a book I have not returned. What should I do? And reference service anyway, even though I am going to a party or I go somewhere, I'm doing the library services over there, you know. That's become because like, it's the passion. Think about it. When I came to this country, I was alone. I was bored at home who helped me? Queens Public Library. That is smart move I made. And, I have a very supportive husband, if he didn't support me, because when I, when I worked, went to library school, I had to put my children with the babysitter. I didn't have anybody who will take care of my, you know, my child and my father died 24 years ago, and since I came to this country, I mean, it's a long journey, honestly. So I got, um, you know, excited. The reason I wanted to have this interview with you guys, because it needed to know a hundred years from now, people like how we've been through and how was our life, you know, a hundred years before something like this.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=2926.0,3075.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/51","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah, for sure. I mean, yeah. Queens Library, Queens Public Library has given you a lot, but you've also given so much to Queens Public Library.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=3075.0,3082.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/52","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Thank you. That's really... It goes both ways because I'm not talking about that. I'm superficially intelligent, but hey, come on my hard work dedication. I didn't save any money. I spend money for babysitter so that my children will be in good hands. So I can come to the library, do my work. And you see, as a coping skills librarian, I have to move alone. When I go to conference, my husband take care of my children, you know, and I've been going to the conference last, like 12, 14 years. And then for three or four days, it's a lot of work. And also since I drive, I don't have any, you know, the communication problem anywhere I need to go. And Queens, from the Queens public library, I need to go. I never said no. And I learned myself for example, like the, the communication, the transportation in New York city. So good. I mean, train bus, and then, you know, w wherever you go, I can take all those. And this is also important, like, you know, feeling comfortable, getting support from your team, the work I've been doing and support from family. And now that my children, they understand mom job is really, you know, important. And, one point, as I said, when my husband was you know, laid off, and then we lost everything, I was the bread earner for the family. So I kept that personality, like, you know, I'm not alone. And then you said teamwork. And when I'm at New Americans Program, it's a teamwork. And then I have a very supportive staff, my supervisor, as I said, we are very supportive of each other. And also our family, my children's and my daughter wants to be a librarian now. She thinks mom's job is cool. And then I, I'm not, you know, stopping them, you know, to become a librarian. And, my thing is, as you see, it's my passion. Like, I want more librarians from Bangladeshi community, and it is important.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=3082.0,3211.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/53","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: Yeah. So I know you also mentioned that Queens Public Library is the future. Yes. So what does that mean to you? What do you mean by that?","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=3211.0,3224.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/54","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: Um, Queens Library is the future now. I will not say will be the future. No Queens Lbrary is the future. Now we are living in future, now. The technology has changed, for example, census 2020, we'll be doing in different languages from New Americans Program, and then we are part of the census 2020, project. So this is not only like one example. This is the first time the census 2020 will be online application fill out, Rght? And then, um, so people need to come to the library. So from the library, their training, they have the person and they will be training their staff. And then, you know, all the thing is we are ready. We're getting ready to do that. And people are coming here to, people, immigrants, not only Bangladeshis, any immigrant, you name it. Uh, they come to Queens, public library when they come to Queens, and so this is, this is future now. When they're coming, they're building their education. They can take GED exams, you know, they can have that diploma certificate, uh, they can learn computer, they can apply for the citizenship. Uh, and then Queens library is a home away from home for them. Uh, it is future now, and it's free. It's free, everything is free. And they're so welcoming and they're comfortable when they see the immigrants, their languages, cultural program. And also we have, like languages classes, like Korean classes and Spanish classes learning. Those are the classes. So Queens Library is doing so much. Somebody said that, but I'm going to repeat that word. Queens Public Library is the university for immigrant, you know, communities. And I can tell you, anybody, hard work dedication and focus, they can become anything in this country, but you have to have dedication, you know, and then, library is the right place. We have Job and Business Academy, and then, they can train themselves how to find, find a job and how to write their resumes. And they can build a life, you know, through our coping skills workshop, they learn what to find a job, how to get a Medicaid, this and that, those kinds of stuff. So it is important. Library is playing a vital role for our immigrant communities. For sure. And I'll tell you this. I think I achieved American Americans dream, from rag to riches.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=3224.0,3408.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/55","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Josselyn Atahualpa: The American dream from rag to riches Yes. Right. Good. Is that what you want to end with? Okay, cool. Thank you.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=3408.0,3417.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994/transcript/34542/annotation/56","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Selina Sharmin: I just do that.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1432/collection_resources/56871/file/130994#t=3417.0,3410.19994"}]}]}]}