Free For All: The Public Library
Panelist & Filmmaker Bios
Panelists
Dr. Carol Barry
Carol Barry is the Bert R. and Judith I. Boyce Professor in the School of Information Studies at Louisiana State University. Dr. Barry served as Director of the School for ten years. Her background includes significant leadership positions within the profession and at the school, college, and university levels within LSU. She has served her profession in numerous capacities, including as Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member for the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Guest Editor for the LLA Bulletin Theme Issue on Networked Access in Libraries, and Board Member of the American Society for Information Science and Technology.
At the University level, Dr. Barry has served terms as Vice President, Secretary, and Senator on the LSU Faculty Senate, and she has chaired the Academic Computing Committee and Courses and Curricula Committee while serving as a member of the Grievance Committee and Budget Committee. Along the way, she has been tasked by university leadership to serve on a number of important ad hoc committees related to realignment, review and assessment, and PS-36 revision.
At the College level, she has served as a member of the Strategic Planning Council, Courses and Curriculum Committee, Recruitment Committee, and on the Awards Committee, and she has chaired numerous SIS committees on various occasions.
Tyler Litt
Tyler Litt is a dedicated social impact strategist and leadership advisor focused on nurturing sustainable leaders, fostering strategic problem-solving, and mobilizing resources for expanded impact. With a deep belief that genius is evenly distributed, but opportunities are not, she is driven to make those opportunities more accessible to all.
Over the past decade, Tyler has championed equitable outcomes in nonprofit philanthropy and education. Notably, she managed $14 million in grantmaking for educational initiatives, emphasizing academic excellence and equity at a national education fund. Previously, she led community investment strategies, implementing a citywide enrollment system, parent training collaborative, and nonprofit capacity-building initiatives.
Tyler's expertise spans education, public health, and leadership development. Looking forward, she seeks to empower emerging leaders and leverage her philanthropic experience to enhance opportunities for women and communities of color.
Tyler is committed to shaping policies that promote equitable access and community-driven investments in the social impact sector. When she's not aiding leaders in tackling pressing challenges, planning sabbaticals, or serving on various local, regional, and national boards, Tyler thrives on time with her god-twins, Granny, or meeting friends for crawfish.
Mary Stein (Moderator)
Originally from West Virginia, Mary Stein has lived in Baton Rouge since her college days at LSU. Before moving to public libraries, she worked as a special collections librarian at New Mexico State University, and a reference librarian at LSU. Mary joined the East Baton Rouge Parish Library in 1984 and worked in the Adult and Teen Services departments before becoming the Library's Assistant Director of Administration in 2004, focusing on Programs and Services, Outreach and Marketing, and Collections.
Mary has participated in the design and construction process for the EBRPL’s Capital Improvements Program as well as the Library’s Strategic Plan.
Mary is also privileged to serve on the board of Visit Baton Rouge, the Capital Area STEM Network Advisory Committee, and chaired the Baton Rouge Bicentennial Committee.
Filmmakers
Dawn Logsdon - Producer, Director, Editor
Dawn Logsdon produced, directed, and edited Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans, and co-directed Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton. Her editing credits include Jacques Pepin: The Art of Craft, The Weather Underground, Paragraph 175, The Castro, The Vanishing Line, and Have You Heard From Johannesburg among others.
Lucie Faulknor - Producer, Co-director
Lucie Faulknor is an arts management and documentary film professional. Founder at Serendipity Films, LLC, she produced the award-winning documentary Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans. Lucie has worked with SFJAZZ, City Arts & Lectures, Dublin Fringe Festival, and more. She holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration.