Franklin’s beloved librarian of five years, Ayn Frazee, will be taking a leave of absence during the 2025-2026 school year “to pursue personal and professional interests and spend some time with my family,” she explains. Frazee’s tireless work to create community at Franklin will be missed.
Frazee’s care and dedication make the library a welcoming place. From the curation of the books to the displays to the myriad of activities and events, she continually ensures that the library is a place where every student feels comfortable. Welcoming spaces are a priority for Frazee, who explains, “Trans and LGBTQ+ students consistently identify school libraries as safe spaces. Especially these days, these times, we need more spaces that feel safe for marginalized people.”
Frazee herself contributes to the library’s atmosphere. With a memorable smile, bright laugh, and quick humor, Frazee’s positivity puts anyone who interacts with her at ease. “She’s a positive force,” describes Envy Nelson, a library TA. Library Assistant Diane Newton-Prior, who met Frazee at a library conference years ago, explains that she’s always wanted to work with Frazee and is happy she got to do so this year. “I love working with her, just like I thought I would. Especially when it’s been a hard day, all these little bumps and curveballs and everything, she makes the best of everything, and that makes it fun,” says Newton-Prior.
Anyone fortunate enough to spend time with Frazee feels this support. “She takes everything seriously enough to make you feel understood but not so serious that you feel bogged down,” states Nelson, “She’s able to lift you up a bit.” Frazee is always ready to help anyone who asks. “She’s so smart, and she’s smart in the best way — not the show-off way, but in the ‘I have the answers for you way,’” says Newton-Prior. Library TA of two years, Ryder Landau, explains that this willingness is her favorite thing about Frazee: “She never gets annoyed if you ask her a question, as long as you’re genuine about it.”
Outside the halls of Franklin, Frazee has advocated for Senate Bill 1098, which aims to prohibit the exclusion of books from Oregon public schools based on the topic or author of the book. She recently testified to her firm belief that including diverse voices and circumstances is crucial to a good library, explaining, “When we have a strong library collection, everybody should be able to see themselves in a book in our library.”
Additionally, Frazee is the president of the Oregon Library Association, past president of the Oregon Association of School Libraries, a children and young adult book reviewer for Kirkus, an Association for Library Service to Children board member, and an American Association of School Librarians committee member. She was a young people’s literature juror for the 2023 Kirkus Prize and a children’s literature legacy award committee member in 2023.
Her influence and effort in the library are unquestionable. Newton-Prior says, “I love her dedication to not just Franklin library, but to the art of the library.” Landau describes the library as “a very peaceful place,” adding, “it’s all because of her.” Newton-Prior echoes this, stating that when it comes to the quality of the Franklin library, “That’s her. That’s because she cares.”
