The Best Things in Life

We here at the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch of the Free Library have had the pleasure of working with a lovely young lady, Angelina Smith. Angelina started out as a Teen Leadership Assistant (TLA), earning some extra money by helping kids with homework and offering literacy-based activities afterschool. She did such a great job that we invited her back for the summer as a Philadelphia Youth Network employee, helping with the Summer Reading Program.

Here’s what she has to say about the time she’s spent as a Free Library employee:

Some of the most important things you are supposed to gain in life are friendship, love, happiness, success, and how you will impact the world. I can truly say that I have gained almost all of these things and my life has yet to begin. The last three years of my high school career I was employed at the Free Library of Philadelphia Branch around where I lived, the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch. While working there I gained so many things, so much more than what people would see as a simple paycheck. I gained communication skills, an efficient work ethic, experience, team building, lifelong friends, and the simple fact that if I ever needed a place to work I could go there.

The library for a long time was a haven, somewhere I could go and never have to worry about a single thing. It was my second home. There were people that cared about me, looked out for my well-being, and always put a smile on my face. I thank my boss Mr. Darren Cottman for helping me become part of who I am today. He gave me the skills and courage to do what I had to do to make things happen. If it wasn’t for Ms. Sarah and my coworkers I don’t really know how my experience would have formed into a priceless diamond from a piece of rock.

I began to see how much of a role model I was to the little kids and how much of an impact I had on them. I began to see working at the library as more of a life lesson then a place to just work. When I would put together activities for the kids and work with them over the summer I would feel a sense of satisfaction and greatness. I was doing something great and that was one of the best things I could have gained. I had this sense of accomplishment that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

I love everyone who helped me and showed me that the best things in life... are truly and indefinably free.

We thank Angelina and are so excited for her as she goes off to college in the fall. Congratulations, Lina!

Do you know a teen who would make a fabulous Teen Leadership Assistant? Invite them to visit their nearest branch of the Free Library for an application.