WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896 www.thesunflower.com
Feb. 22, 2024
Volume 128
Issue 21
BOOKING AROUND TOWN Racine Zackula, family literacy coordinator for the Wichita Public Library, organizes books on the Book Bus. The Book Bus is a library on wheels that bring various books to different communities or individuals in Wichita. “ I love our mission,” Zackula said about the WPL. “We are to be out in the world and connecting with others where they’re at — and that’s what it’s all about.” | Photos by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower
Racine Zackula drives the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus around town while talking about her experience as a librarian. Through her job, Zackula said she aims to “convince, cajole and con” people into reading.
A sign, saying “Are you hungry? Ask me for something!” hangs in the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus. Racine Zackula keeps snacks on the bus. “I want there to be something available for people who are in need,” Zackula said.
Racine Zackula poses with the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus while creating bubbles with a handheld toy. If she’s not on the road, Zackula spends much of her time planning where to take the Book Bus next.
Wichita State alum infuses love for reading in ‘Book Bus’ work BY MIA HENNEN
R
editor@thesunflower.com
acine Zackula had a lot of ideas about her future career before she landed on being a librarian; she wanted to be a French horn professor, a DJ, a French professor — she even dabbled in being a nanny for a year. Now, she’s a librarian, but not your typical one. She’s got green-blue hair, funky glasses and outfits to match her whimsical personality. About the only thing that gives her librarian identity away is a small “Shhh” tattoo on the side of her index finger. “It’s so funny that I am a librarian because I’m not meek; I’m not mild-mannered,” Zackula said. “I want to be out with people. I love people.” Jaime Nix, director of libraries for the WPL, attested to Zackula’s character. “She’s our single extrovert on staff,” Nix said. Zackula, a Wichita native, started her journey working with libraries while at Wichita State. There, she obtained her bachelor’s degree before receiving a master’s in library science at Emporia State. “All the time that I was (going to) WSU pretty much, I was working at Wichita Public Library as a part-timer,” Zackula said. “It was funny because my friends (were like), ‘You work in a library?’ And it’s like, ‘Yes, I’ve gotten written up for being too noisy in the library.’” Throughout her career, Zackula has worked in various roles within libraries. “I am the Swiss Army knife of librarians,” she said. “All of the things that a librarian can do, I’ve done.”
“ I know it’s squirrely for a 55-yearold woman to wander around with a bubble gun and Pete the Cat (ears) and puppets, but I want the kids to have fun. RACINE ZACKULA
Family literacy coordinator for WPL
Now, Zackula is the family literacy coordinator for the Wichita Public Library — a title that took her a “long time” to memorize. “I wanted to be called the reading auntie, but I guess that isn’t an official title for a librarian,” she said. In her role, Zackula drives the Wichita Public Library’s Book Bus, which brings books and resources to community members who may be unable to make it to a still-standing library. The outreach initiative was rolled out in November 2023, and Zackula has been driving the colorful, refurbished city bus since. Children are a big target audience for the library’s bus, and Zackula aims to find unique ways to encourage them to read, especially through outfits and props. “I know it’s squirrely for a 55-year-old woman to wander around with a bubble gun and Pete the Cat (ears) and puppets, but I want the kids to have fun.” The librarian’s personal aim is to “convince, cajole and con” people into reading. “We want to get people jazzed,” Zackula said. “I’ve just been out here finding the places where I need to be to connect with others.” Zackula said the bus is a part of the library’s larger mission to connect and meet
the community “Wichita Public Library is coming into its rockstar era,” Zackula said. “We’re doing so many things to connect people with other people and to encourage learning and lifelong learning and to encourage community.” On the bus, individuals can create a library card, return materials, use free Wi-Fi and check out from a small collection of books. Zackula noted that the library always looks for book donations Zackula also finds other ways to support the community while she’s out on the bus. She’s taken a first aid course, brings snacks on the bus, and carries naloxone and other materials to safely dispose of drugs or drug paraphernalia that she may encounter while driving. “It’s a matter of meeting people where they’re at,” Zackula said. When Zackula isn’t driving the Book Bus, she’s planning where to take it next. People can also request the bus for community events on the library’s website. Zackula is the sole Book Bus driver, but the library has plans to bring on other drivers and create more book buses. Nix said the library is interested in obtaining electric vehicles in hopes of being more sustainable. Nix said the next iteration of the bus will be about home delivery, something they plan to pilot next month. “(The Book Bus) really did change the landscape of how we think about service,” Nix said. “If you talked with Racine, you know how enthusiastic she is about getting people excited to read. That’s just the funnest part about this job.”
Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy reveals cancer diagnosis, receives ‘heartwarming’ support BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com
After not missing a game since 1980, Mike Kennedy, the “Voice of the Shockers,” released a statement last week, saying he would miss two men’s basketball games. In the statement, Kennedy revealed that he is in treatment for prostate cancer. A Wichita State graduate, Kennedy has been the radio broadcaster on 103.7 KEYN and missed the games against East Carolina and Charlotte. Kennedy said he has always felt healthy and nonchalant about his health, but a routine appointment would change his perspective. During his appointment, Kennedy’s doctor did some blood work that showed a high level of a prostate-specific antigen, which was the tipoff. He then saw a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing
and treating diseases of the urinary system. “I was pretty well prepared for it when I actually got the specific diagnosis,” Kennedy said. “You could kind of tell that (the doctor) knew even before they did the biopsy.” The urologist told Kennedy that the cancer is isolated in a small area. Although it is a severe level of cancer, it is very treatable and attackable. When he received his official diagnosis, Kennedy said he wanted to keep it private, but after receiving his treatment schedule, he knew he was going to miss some games. He talked it over with his wife, Debbie, and after not missing a game in 44 years, he knew there would be some questions. “So why not just get it out there and maybe try to use it as an opportunity to urge other men to get
Mike Kennedy smiles as he sits at the press bench on Feb. 21.| Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower
tested and make it a positive thing,” Kennedy said. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Kennedy told The Sunflower that, despite his diagnosis, he feels fine.
“I haven’t had any side effects from the treatment or anything, and so I really don’t feel anything less than normal,” Kennedy said. He said after his announcement, he was overwhelmed by the amount of support he received from former coaches and players. “It was unbelievable, it was just
very humbling and very heartwarming,” Kennedy said. “So from kind of a weird standpoint, this experience has led to that, which has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.” Kennedy has no plans of slowing down after his diagnosis but said he could see himself stepping down when his wife retires. “I think it was probably a little bit of a wake-up for me,” Kennedy said. “I don’t have any immediate plans to think about retiring, but it’s just more realistic than it would have been a few years ago.” He said he hopes his experience inspires others to reach out to those who have suffered a loss or are going through a tough medical situation. “It has been absolutely amazing to find out what just a few kind words can mean,” Kennedy said.