Enthusiastic Teen Who Loves to Help Her Community

Shalma will celebrate her first anniversary as a Library volunteer this winter – she’s been volunteering in Central Library’s Youth Services department since last March, 2012, and as a Cyber Center Help Desk assistant since last October.

We asked Shalma a few questions about herself:

What makes you continue to volunteer?

I just love being able to help anyone, especially when it comes to helping out when I act as the computer desk assistant. I want to give back to my community by contributing the time I have for a good cause and am pleased that I am making a difference no matter how small it is.

What’s your favorite thing about the library?

I love every part about it from the workers, to the books and to those who come regularly and are so excited to find what they are looking for; so I can never narrow it down to one thing.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

I also tutor HILT students after school at Washington-Lee High School and do various other community service with each of my extra-curricular activities such as for Key club, Red Cross, Latin American Student Association, Direct Relief International and Teen Network Board, along with mentoring freshmen as part of a new program I was selected for, called Connect. I also recently started to work at a frozen yogurt store and ado debate for fun. Also watching foreign films and learning new languages are part of what interests me.

Are you a Metro DC native, or a transplant?

I am a resident of Arlington and take the Art Bus to get to central to volunteer every Saturday morning.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Right now I am not exactly certain of what I want to be, but I’ve always been interested in the medical field and also am interested in English along with wanting to do the Peace Corps.

What is the best book you’ve read recently?

I read a lot, but recently have not had time to read my chosen books, so it is hard for me to decide, but I would say a good read is Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky which I had to read for my English class this year. The author’s style captures the reader throughout each page and through the picture he paints of each scene, I as the reader am able to see vividly each scene.

What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently?

I would say an Indian film called Don because through it I am able to practice my Hindi.

We feel very lucky to have Shalma volunteer with us!

 

Interested in becoming a Library volunteer? Check out the Current Openings on our Volunteer Page.