 Hello, my name is Matt Lapointe-Smith and I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Mary Ann Harlan and Dr. Mary Cable and co-chairs of the Student Awards and Scholarship Committee. Dr. Linda Mayne and the entire San Jose State University School of Information Faculty for awarding me the Director's Scholarship for Excellence for my first semester working toward my master's degree in Library Information Science. This gift will help lift the financial burden from my shoulders as I embark on my journey toward a new career as a public librarian. The Director's Scholarship recognizes the potential of new students to take a leading role in shaping their profession and I am honored that my submission was selected for its demonstration of my passion for the information career field. My application is a visual timeline of revolutionary personalities whose ability to change the modern world came largely because of Gutenberg's invention of the movable type printing press. Even in the early 21st century, when many people felt the traditional library model was obsolete and would fall by the wayside now that everyone could access the internet at any time, libraries and librarians fought for what was right for everybody. Standing up to bullying by the US government's patriarch supporters, being the incubator for a whole new way to introduce children to a broader, more colorful world with dry queen story time. And in 2020, in the middle of a pandemic and world shaking in social activism, libraries stayed open as much as possible as safe spaces and sources to provide the means to end the ignorance which is the foundation for so much suffering. These are the shoulders I stand on. I believe making all knowledge available to all people as well as prioritizing everyone sharing their voice will lead us to a more understanding, kinder and sympathetic world. And I can't think of a greater way to be involved with that evolution than leading the charge as a public librarian. Thank you again for this great honor and assistance toward my goal. Thank you for believing in my fight for progress for everyone. And thank you for the work you do, encouraging so many on a regular basis to embrace the power of information and knowledge as a means toward making the world a better place.