Cindy Luong's journey with literature and community has found a new expression at The Seattle Public Libraries, where her poem "Poetry in Place: Cindy Luong" celebrates the intertwining of growth, memories, and the steadfast presence of libraries in one's life. Published on Seattle's Art Beat on April 15th, Luong's work encapsulates the emotions tied to the various stages of her library experience, from the sting of a Global Reading Challenge loss in fourth grade to the passage of wisdom through shared books, according to the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.

Luong recalls the Global Reading Challenge at the Central Branch where her team, despite capturing third place, was met with "boiling tears of defeat" as the Seattle rain offered a natural backdrop of sympathy. Now, years later, with fourteen inches added to her height, she reflects on the South Park librarian with her short hair "like our winters" and a smile reminiscent of "a spring day at the UW quad." The transformation over time is clear, even with Luong outgrowing figures from her early library days.

In a literary handoff as timeless as the institution itself, her poem describes the act of checking out a book, its subsequent adoration, and eventual sharing—a cycle that underscores the library's role in fostering connections and continuity. Visitors to the Central and South Park branches of The Seattle Public Library can witness this commemoration of relationships and reading, as "Poetry in Place: Cindy Luong" is on display for the public to see in person.

The Seattle Public Libraries remain a cornerstone for people like Luong, offering a place of solace and self-discovery. It stands "Here / For me / For you / For us," a testament to the community's resilience and the personal paths walked within its walls. Luong's words have taken form beyond the page, imbibed with the essence of shared experiences and a collective memory spanning years of library service.