It was a cold and bright morning outside The Winooski Memorial Library on February 26. That day, the library held the first-ever Arabic story time.

Mona Tolba, along with Kirsten Wilson, an employee of the library and coordinator of the gathering, waited inside for people to show up. They shuffled around the open area, setting up chairs at short tables for attendees to sit, straightening out a board with each letter of the Arabic alphabet.

All were invited to come learn about the Arabic alphabet, practice pronouncing Arabic words, as well as listen to Tolba read a story in both Arabic and in English.

Tolba, who is formerly an assistant professor of Microbiology at The University of Cairo, is passionate about teaching Arabic, and is excited to be reading at the story times.

“I love reading and teaching Arabic, my home language,” she said.“I feel respected when someone greets me in my language, I really feel that they care.”

She also noted the many advantages to language-learning, including that recent studies on Alzheimer’s have shown a positive correlation between multi-linguicism and reduced risk of developing the neurological disorder.

“Speaking more than one language is really good for the brain,” she said. “Research is showing it helps with Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease and all the stuff that has to do with the memory.”

At 11 a.m., Tolba began to get ready, and people started coming in and sitting down. Many different members of the community attended the event.

“I looked around and saw familiar faces,” said Daisy Berbeco, an attendee. “There were adults, children, parents, and grandparents.”

The event was open to the public, and any and all were welcome to attend.

“Anyone's welcome. You don't have to be a Winooski resident,” Wilson said.

The reading was of the story “I Love to Help” by Shelley Admont. On the front cover a family of rabbits, dressed for the beach, frolicked amongst sandcastles. While reading, Tolba was careful to pronounce each word clearly, telling the story first in Arabic, then in English.

“Mona was really adaptable to the different levels of questions people had,” Berbeco said. “Some were about structural grammar, others were about pronunciation. Our community members and family got to see that there are many different learning styles. The kids got to see that adults are still learning, and that they have to listen and use patience.”

The recurring event is made possible through a U.S. Department of State grant which provides funding for meetings to be held every fourth Saturday of the month, as well as resources to distribute to attendees.

“We have a resource kit for folks who are interested in reading like bringing home board books and Arabic letter blocks. And in April, we'll be starting an adult conversation group as well that Mona will be facilitating,” Wilson said.

She said that it was a good opportunity to make connections, to teach kids to value other cultures and languages, and that the event could help individuals overcome phobias about others.

Tolba, who has worked as an interpreter for the hospital, has observed the power of connection and understanding firsthand.

“It means a lot when the doctor comes and says as-salamu alaykum,” she said. “This is like 50 percent of his treatment actually. [The patient] feels good about himself that the doctor is really caring about him. If [the doctor] cares to learn about his language he will probably take good care of him.”

She also noted the multiculturality and diversity of languages of Chittenden County.

“We have 60 spoken languages in Burlington,” she said, “Whave Nepalese, we have Somali, Russian, French.

“I think we need to be learning a new language to … to serve them,” Tolba said.

Berbeco echoed some of the same sentiments

“In Winooski, [language] is so fundamental,” she said. “Being curious about languages can bridge so many divides. If you speak someone’s language, there is a connection there.”

As the event concluded, some stayed and continued conversations with Tolba, asking her about the Arabic language, and about further language learning resources.

The next Arabic Story Time will be on Saturday, March 26, 2022, 10 to 11 a.m. at 32 Malletts Bay Ave. You can contact the library by calling: (802) 655-6424 or by emailing at winooskilibrary@winooskivt.gov.

All photos by Dylan Streb.

CORRECTION 4/1/22: Arabic Story Time is supported by a U.S. State Department grant, not a Vermont state grant.