EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Dayton Metro Library (DML) is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion for all patrons, volunteers, and staff members. Our Library system has always strived to be a safe-haven where individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of their backgrounds, are free to belong. We are committed to addressing the ever-evolving needs of our diverse community by advancing inclusive excellence. We affirm and uphold the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association to ensure access to information, ideas, and resources are readily available for everyone. Celebrating and enriching cultural diversity strengthens our community and has a measurable impact.
We are working to create a library that is welcoming and inclusive for all by:
- Establish workforce inclusion initiatives to recruit, retain, and advance diverse staff members and volunteers
- Enhance collection diversity efforts to ensure our materials reflect the interests of the multicultural communities we serve
- Expand programs that are culturally-relevant and responsive to community needs.
Collectively, we can cultivate an environment where diversity is championed, inclusion is the norm, and equity is the standard.
Read the EDI Board Resolution, opens a new window adopted by the Dayton Metro Library Board of Trustees.
Sign up to receive upcoming issues of the EDI and Library News FOCUS.
Social Justice Speaker Series
Dayton Metro Library and our series sponsor, Friends of the Dayton Metro Library, are pleased to continue the Social Justice Speaker Series, which aims to understand and demonstrate the effects of social justice in society.
This series is comprised of unique, award-winning and professional speakers. Patrons will have the opportunity to listen to them discuss some of the most critical social justice issues of today, as they provide insights from their professional fields and personal journeys.
Upcoming Events
EDI Thoughts
Celebrating Pride
World Refugee Day
Juneteenth
Older Americans Month
Meet our Team
Dr. Karlos L. Marshall (he/him), Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Director
Dr. Karlos L. Marshall is an internationally award-winning social entrepreneur at the intersections of community development, literacy outreach, and public health. He serves as the inaugural chief diversity officer of the Dayton Metro Library, where he spearheads strategic planning for equity, diversity, and inclusion across the organization. Prior to the library, he held several roles at the University of Dayton, including serving as the inaugural manager of the Greater West Dayton Incubator in the L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. In this role, he launched Dayton's first-ever Gem City Black Business Month.
Additionally, Marshall is the co-founder and co-executive director of The Conscious Connect CDC which focuses on ending book deserts, creating neighborhood pocket parks, mentoring urban youth, small business development, and fair housing. Marshall has been named to Forbes “30 Under 30,” United States Library of Congress Literacy Awards Best Practice Honoree, International Literacy Association “30 Under 30,” and Dayton Business Journal “Forty Under 40,” to name a few.
Megs Francis (they/them): Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Assistant Director
Megs Francis (They/Them) started at DML as a volunteer at the Huber Heights branch before being hired as a PSA sub at Huber Heights. From there, Megs worked in multiple positions and locations at DML and has learned much from each location including: Information Services Assistant (Vandalia Branch), Teen Services Librarian (Main Branch), Staff Development Manager, and now Assistant Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Outside of their work with the library Megs continues to support EDI efforts though volunteering as a Digital Crisis Counselor with the Trevor Project and holding membership with More Than a Hug; a local group which supports the LGBTQ+ community and Queer youth.
Robert Owens M.Ed., MSSM, CLC, (he/him) Racial Equity Manager
Robert Owens is an innovative creative regarded as a highly insightful professional. Robert obtained his B.S. degree in Special Ed, from The Central State University. He has taught for 15 years and worked with at-risk youth in education, corrections, treatment, and chemical dependency for 20 years. He also holds a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Wright State University, with over 25 years of experience as a trained facilitator. As a certified IAMP life coach, Robert understands firsthand the powerful impact that outreach and student services programs can have on youth. Mr. Owens is one of the most sought-after personal development/inspirational speakers of the time, his messages are creative, relevant, and impactful. As a person who believes in a holistic approach to impacting youth and underserved communities his work in the Greater Dayton area mirror his philosophy. Robert brings more than two decades of experience in the areas of Inclusion, transformational leadership, achievement and professional development in his current role at Dayton Metro Library as the Racial Equity Manager.
Jordan Ostrum (he/him), LGBTQIA+ Services Specialist
Jordan Ostrum (he/him) is a fifth-generation nonnative resident of Wyoming—the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne and Arapaho. He proudly claims Dayton, Ohio as his new home. A consummate collaborator, Jordan considers a project a success when new stakeholders join together to achieve unprecedented results. After graduating with a B.A. in Gender & Sexuality Studies at Ursinus College, Jordan received a Masters of Library & Information Studies from the University of Alabama. Outside of the classroom, Jordan has created collaborative communities through various professional and personal passion-projects. These projects have taken on different forms, and reflect his approach to working towards a future in which all are free to belong. Whether its writing and directing queer plays, empowering trans youth to side with migrant communities, or passing the mic to Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ folks, Jordan strives to amplify voices. He hopes you will join him in the work of building bridges between and within communities.
Dr. Gabriela Pickett (she/her), Newest American Services Specialist
Dr. Gabriela Pickett is the Newest American Specialist for the Dayton Metro Library. Gabriela is an immigrant and English learner. She provides support to immigrants by promoting equity and access to resources including teaching English as a second language. She also empowers people by facilitating cultural celebrations that will allow them to experience their own culture. One of her responsibilities is to multiply the potential of the community through engagement.
Pickett's job is evidence that the libraries of today go beyond having just books. Libraries pay attention to the ever-changing needs of our newest community and try to meet them. Gabriela created a Dayton-centric-content based English Language Learner (ELL) curriculum to help people learn English and connect them to the resources they need. The program is in its second year and has demonstrated ongoing success.
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