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"Consider the positive influence you aspire to have as someone living with cystic fibrosis. How do you hope to inspire and empower future generations of young adults with chronic illnesses?"

Over the last two years, I have worked and volunteered in multiple libraries- hosting community events, shelving books, cutting paper plates, giving calculators to college students about to take their final exams, teaching kids how to tie a bow, and many more heartwarming, fulfilling experiences with patrons. I see every day how important a library is to the public. Providing education and inspiring reading is invaluable, but most vitally, we are giving kids a safe space. Some are retreating to the library for air conditioning, others are children whose parents suffer from terminal illnesses, and neurodivergent kids learning to socialize with their peers. In every child, I see the positivity that the library and its outreach activities spread. In every game I facilitate, craft I prepare, event I lead, and person I help, I am reminded that having this space is more important than any book. After I graduated high school and moved to college, I got a job at my campus library where I handle patron services, checking books in and out, and organizing other library materials. While it's certainly a step up from the public library system, I still see its impacts daily. We save students hundreds of dollars on books and offer other educational resources, and for students with chronic illnesses, we have adaptive technology, private study spaces, academic help and opportunities, and many more. As someone with Cystic Fibrosis, I understand the importance of accessibility and accommodations on a school campus. And as a library assistant, I understand what it takes to provide those and more for students and why they are necessary. Libraries should be community centers not only open to everyone, but welcoming to everyone. Though it will take extra effort and planning to encourage this, it is more than worth it for those who find safety and acceptance in libraries. I hope to inspire others with Cystic Fibrosis by demonstrating a commitment to the public and to those who need it most.