Nomination for Arezoo Moseni

Senior Librarian

The New York Public Library, Mid-Manhattan Library, The Art Collection

New York, New York

Caryl Herzfeld

Staten Island, NY

1. How long have you known the nominee and how did you come to know him or her?

I met Ms. Moseni when I began to visit the art room in the Mid-Manhattan Library and needed help for the project I was working on. I do not know exactly how long it has been, but it is several years.

2.  Please list a few ways in which the nominee has helped you and others and made your experience of the library a positive one.

Ms Moseni went out of her way to help me. She is knowledgable and answered all my many questions and printed out or wrote up the information I needed with regard to research materials. She invited me to the evening programs at the library which she thought I might enjoy, And she showed an interest in my work. She was gracious and kind and patient.

3. How has the library, and the nominee, improved the quality of your life?

Ms Moseni has made going to the library enjoyable and an invaluable way to improve my skills. I was not afraid to ask for help. She would recommend things which I had not even considered.

The library itself is wonderful, and the art room in particular. Besides the large number of books on art subjects, I benefit from the collection of videos and DVDs on artists and art topics. As a result of exposure to the work of other artists thru viewing the DVDs, my own art has improved and my creativity has increased. Tomorrow night I have my first one-woman art exhibit, to which I sent an invitation to Ms Moseni.

4. How does the nominee make the library a better place? Please be specific.

Looking forward to seeing Ms Moseni at the desk when I emerge from the elevator, or in the room where programs are scheduled, makes me feel connected. Seeing her, having her recognize me from among all the people who frequent this great Mid-Manhattan Library, makes me feel good: important and welcome. She embodies grace and has a quiet, gentle manner--very charming. In addition, she informs me of, and invites me to, scheduled exhibits in the art room because she knows of my interest. She discusses intelligently and knowledgably the artist whose exhibit is on the wall of the room.

5. How has the librarian made a difference in the community?

The Mid-Manhattan Library is amazing. There's such a wealth of information that is provided to people who come from work in midtown at the end of the day or at lunch time, and to retirees, students, researchers. The staff, in general, is helpful and concerned. I have never found anyone at the library who doesn't go out of their way to be helpful. But Ms Moseni is unique, tho', because she goes out of her way to be extraordinarily helpfull. Because of that we learned each other's names and formed a working relationship. As Senior Librarian her influence permeates the atmosphere in the room that I frequent and I thank her for making that roominviting, organized and helpful even when she isn't around when I come.