by Kayla Cook, Media Relations & Communications Specialist feat. Frankie Haynes, Diversity & Equity Coordinator
Q&A with Frankie Haynes, Diversity & Equity Coordinator
Lawrence Public Library is a community hub that believes in the power of connecting with each other through shared knowledge and resources. Located in the heart of Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, we're committed to providing a space where everyone can learn, connect, create, and grow through access to our vast collections, resources, services, programs, and knowledgeable staff. The library is supported by tax dollars, the LPL Friends & Foundation's record-breaking book sales and philanthropic efforts, and dedicated efforts of more than 300 volunteers. Learn how the library strives to welcome everyone with diversity and equity efforts from Frankie Haynes, Diversity & Equity Coordinator.
Hi Frankie! Can you share about your role as Diversity & Equity Coordinator and how long you have worked at Lawrence Public Library (LPL)?
I have been in my role for about three and a half years now, and when I started in 2020, this was a brand new position for the library. Actually, when I started I received a call from the Kansas state librarian at the time as he wanted me to review the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) resources available on their website. While we were chatting, he let me know that he was fairly certain that no other library in Kansas had a position like mine. However, there are lots of DEIB professionals working in libraries throughout the U.S., and of course libraries in Kansas working to foster DEIB at their libraries despite not having a dedicated staff member.
What is a notable DEIB-centered project you helped complete at the Library? What was that project's impact?
About 3 months after I started, I co-wrote an IMLS grant proposal to fund a pilot program that provided full tuition for a Masters in Library Science (MLS) for two different people, while simultaneously funding a paid internship at our library as well as other partner libraries (Haskell Tomaney Library, KU Libraries, and the Northeast Kansas Library System) The goal of this project was to reduce barriers to entering the library profession and becoming a librarian. Two interns completed the program and received their MLS degrees in 2023. A lot was learned through this project, and our hope is that we will be able to reproduce something similar in the future!
How has implementing more mindfulness around DEIB in thought and practice improved at the Library since you started? Is there a way to measure that? How?
I started in the middle of the pandemic so the library was already in the middle of one major transformation as I was starting. It was a lot of change all at once. That being said, our processes, procedures, and policies more intentionally center equity now. The diversity of our staff has changed significantly as well, and we are now more accurately tracking that data so we can actually measure and watch as our work makes an impact. We can also measure our success by turning to our community for feedback. As I become more established in my role, I want to reach out and connect more with our community.
“All are welcome” is one of the Library’s slogans, like “Imagine more.” How is the Library aiming to guarantee “all are welcome”?
All of our library staff work to ensure that from policy to programming, we continue to center equity and access throughout our work. I also lead an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-racism Advisory committee. This committee is multi-departmental and we work together to address any issues relating to DEIB, anti-racism, and access in the library. Aside from leading this committee, I participate in a number of other committees and teams at the library to provide resources and advisory related to DEIB. Equity and Inclusion are at the foundation of our Strategic Plan and are threaded throughout the goals we hope to achieve in that time.
"All of our library staff work to ensure that from policy to programming, we continue to center equity and access throughout our work."
What action can library patrons take to help everyone feel as welcome as possible at the Library?
I would ask patrons to remember the library is a shared space that is free and available to our whole community. Everyone is coming into the library with different life experiences, perspectives, and different reasons for accessing the space. Being open, patient, and perhaps most importantly empathetic, are all things that our community can do to ensure that all library patrons feel welcomed here.
"The library is a shared space that is free and available to our whole community. Everyone is coming into the library with different life experiences, perspectives, and different reasons for accessing the space."
Remember this is a shared space, and you never know what experiences other patrons may be bringing with them. What is comfortable and safe for you may not feel the same to them. We have young kids in the space daily as well–when you’re here, think about the kids in your life and what would be comfy for them, too.
The Library hosts fun and educational events like a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event, the Multicultural Fair, drives Dottie in the local Pride, opens a new window and Juneteenth, opens a new window parades, and more. Do you know if more diverse programming is in the works?
At this time, I don’t personally organize a lot of public-facing programming. I spend a lot of my time planning professional development for staff and doing other internal administrative tasks. That said, I’d love to do a dedicated program to help dispel misinformation and stereotypes regarding folks experiencing homelessness. Particularly one that centers the importance of intersectionality in that conversation. In general, I would love to get more involved with programming–but there are so few hours in the day and so many things to get done. Overall, library staff do a wonderful job of offering programs on many different topics for our diverse audience!
In your words, what does your dream outcome for DEIB mindfulness at the Library look, feel, and sound like?
The nature of DEIB work is that things are always changing, and because of that there is always room and reason to grow. With that in mind, I hope we become more and more comfortable with being uncomfortable. To do equity-centered library work well, you are constantly stepping outside of yourself and finding ways to understand the perspective and meet the needs of others. That’s not always easy, and often requires you to confront and unpack biases you didn’t know you have (and maybe some you did.) So my dream outcome is for LPL to feel thoroughly prepared for and open to this challenge.
"I hope we become more and more comfortable with being uncomfortable. To do equity-centered library work well, you are constantly stepping outside of yourself and finding ways to understand the perspective and meet the needs of others. That’s not always easy, and often requires you to confront and unpack biases you didn’t know you have (and maybe some you did.)"
Lawrence Public Library is celebrating 10 years in the “new” renovated building. Looking forward 10 years through a DEIB lens, what would you like to know about how our Library has improved?
I envision a future where DEIB practices feel natural to not only our staff but also to our community. Being able to connect with others, empathize with their perspectives, and build spaces where everyone feels welcome–I want that to feel automatic. I think doing this successfully is such a valuable experience for everyone. To build successful diverse, welcoming, and safe spaces, we have to go and grow together. That’s my dream, my vision.
"I envision a future where DEIB practices feel natural to not only our staff but also to our community. Being able to connect with others, empathize with their perspectives, and build spaces where everyone feels welcome–I want that to feel automatic."
One last question–What are you reading?
Okay, fun fact–I make perfume as a hobby. So I’m currently reading Essence and Alchemy by Mandy Aftel–one of if not the most prolific natural perfumers of our time. It’s so fun. Perfume is like real-life magic!
About Lawrence Public Library
Lawrence Public Library (LPL for short) is a community hub that believes in the power of connecting with each other through shared knowledge and resources. Located in the heart of Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, we are committed to providing a space where our community can learn, connect, create, and grow through access to our vast collections, resources, services, programs, and knowledgeable staff. The library is supported by tax dollars, record-breaking book sales and philanthropic efforts by the LPL Friends & Foundation, and the dedicated efforts of more than 300 volunteers. All are welcome.