Volunteer Spotlight: A Champion for Libraries, Literacy and Civic Engagement

Fiona Bryant, a high school student and lifelong library lover, has turned her passion for reading into a powerful force for civic good. A dedicated volunteer at Omaha Public Library, Fiona recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award — the highest honor in Girl Scouts — for developing resources related to voter registration, voting in-person or by mail, as well as important election dates, with the work culminating in creating a civic engagement guide for libraries. The resource helps libraries across Nebraska and beyond connect their communities with trustworthy election information and tools for participation. Her guide was even shared by the Nebraska Library Commission and praised for its usefulness by library and civic groups alike.

“I’ve always had a library card everywhere I’ve lived,” Fiona says. “I didn’t realize until a few years ago how much libraries do beyond books — how much they contribute to intellectual freedom and access to information. That’s what really drew me in.”

Fiona’s project began with a simple question: You can register to vote at the library? That spark led her to research how libraries can support civic engagement and voter education, especially in light of recent changes to voter ID laws in Nebraska. She began by creating voting resources for OPL during the 2024 election, including educational social media posts, a blog post and a book list. She also conducted surveys and distributed FAQs to support library staff. 

The civic engagement guide was a capstone to the project and meant to provide a sustainable impact. Bryant partnered with organizations like the League of Women Voters and Civic Nebraska to ensure the guide was accurate, engaging and accessible.

“I’d already been doing civic work through my school’s Student Progressives club, but this helped me understand how libraries can really serve as a hub for that kind of engagement,” she says. “I just love that I got to learn more about libraries while helping others do the same.”

Her initiative earned her an Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Nebraska Library Association, recognizing her work on this initiative. Along the way, she built skills in project management, collaboration and civic engagement — and gained a clearer vision for her future. She hopes to work as a public librarian and continue making a difference in the community.

Fiona’s work reminds us that libraries are more than just quiet places to read — they are platforms for learning, community and change. As she puts it, “Access to information might not be the whole solution, but it’s the foundation of every solution.”