Little Daliyah Marie Arana is already dreaming big—and reading bigger. At just 4 years old, she has devoured more than 1,000 books, and she’s set her sights on tackling 99,000 more in her literacy quest. (source: American Libraries Magazine)

Her parents, who have read to her since infancy, enrolled her in the 1,000 Books B4 Kindergarten program when she was only two. She completed that challenge by October, and her love of reading shows no sign of slowing. (source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

So, what does Daliyah want to be when she grows up? You guessed it: a librarian.

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A Day at the World’s Largest Library

Thanks to her reading achievements and boundless enthusiasm, Daliyah was given the extraordinary opportunity to spend a day at the Library of Congress as “Librarian for the Day,” alongside Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African-American to serve as Librarian of Congress. (source: Andscape)

While there, Daliyah—who already checks out books daily—read to Hayden, explored the library’s vast collections, and engaged with staff. She even offered a suggestion: installing whiteboards in the children’s section so young visitors could practice handwriting. (source: Andscape, ELLE)

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A Prodigious Start & Ongoing Mission

Daliyah’s early reading talent is remarkable. She began recognizing words by 18 months, and by age 2 had independently read her first books. Her reading appetite continued to accelerate from there. (source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

According to American Libraries Magazine, even at age 4 she has tackled some college-level texts and is reading beyond her years. (source: American Libraries Magazine)

Her parents credit the atmosphere at home for fueling her early literacy: her mother read to her often, and her siblings helped turn reading into a shared adventure. (source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

By the time she completed the 1,000-book goal, Daliyah was already registering library cards, touring stacks, and interacting with librarians with poise and curiosity. (source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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Why Her Story Matters

In an era when early childhood literacy is a critical predictor of later academic success, Daliyah’s journey provides a vivid, inspiring example. She reminds us that consistent exposure to books—and nurturing parents—can spark a lifelong passion.

Her time at the Library of Congress is more than just a feel-good moment: it symbolizes how access, encouragement, and representation matter. For a little girl from Georgia to shadow the chief steward of America’s largest library is a powerful message: the next generation can see themselves in institutions they might once have thought out of reach.