Daliyah Arana has read more than 1000 books. A figure made all the more impressive when you learn that Daliyah is only four years old. Daliyah’s local library in Gainesville Georgia, were so impressed they invited her to be “librarian for a day”. This would turn out to be a stepping stone, in Daliyah’s library “career.”
Knowing her daughter’s love of all things books, Daliyah’s mother, Haleema Arana contacted the Library of Congress to see if she and her daughter could visit. “She just kept saying how the Library of Congress is her most ‘favourite, favourite, favourite’ library in the whole wide world,” Ms Arana told the Washington Post.
The library responded with an invitation for Daliyah to spend the day with Congress Librarian, Carla Hayden. Hayden herself has made history in the role, being the first female and first African American to be given the job in 2016. The two sat in on meetings, met with library staff and roamed the many halls of the library.

According to the Washington Post, Daliyah even made some suggestions like the installation of whiteboards to the walls, so that the children could practise their writing. Ms Hayden tweeted photos of herself and Daliyah, saying it “was fun” to have the four year old with her for the day.
At a time when many people lament children’s disinterest in reading, Daliyah serves as an inspiration.
Read our article on how therapy dogs are helping children to read here