Dawn Wacek
Librarian | Advocating for Equitable Library Policies and Community Access
About
Dawn Wacek is a librarian who has taken a principled stand against traditional library practices that create barriers to community access. Through her TEDx talk at UW-La Crosse in 2018, she presented a compelling argument against overdue book fines, challenging a long-standing library policy that many institutions have implemented without questioning its impact on patrons.
Her case against overdue fines represents a broader conversation about equity in library services and removing financial barriers that can prevent community members from accessing educational resources. By speaking at TEDxUWLaCrosse, Dawn demonstrated her commitment to reimagining library practices to better serve all community members, regardless of their economic circumstances.
Talks1
A librarian's case against overdue book fines
Libraries have the power to create a better world; they connect communities, promote literacy and spark lifelong learners. But there's one thing that keeps people away: the fear of overdue book fines. In this thought-provoking talk, librarian Dawn Wacek makes the case that fines don't actually do what we think they do. What if your library just ... stopped asking for them altogether?
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