A new feature has been placed at the security desk in the commons: a library of sticks for the school’s therapy dog, Wayne. The idea behind the library is that people can leave sticks for Wayne and also take them for their dogs at home. Security guard and Wayne’s owner Demetrius Kemp mentioned that he got inspiration from an outside source for the library.

“I saw one at a dog park in Portland and thought we could have those in Lawrence,” Kemp said.

Wayne attracts attention from students in the halls, and he and his brother Marlo have become just another part of the school day.

“It’s just relaxing; when they see him, it’s fun and they want to pet him, touch him and play with him,” Kemp said.

This is not the first philanthropic activity that Kemp has done for the school. For example, his clothing closet provides additional clothes to those in need. This stick library is only the first Kemp built in Lawrence, and he has plans to expand the project.

“I want to place one at each dog park in town, and anybody with a place to put one is welcome to have one built,” Kemp said.

Kemp is not alone in his efforts to better the community; he is working in tandem with Amanda Torbett and her woodshop class. This is not the first time they have collaborated, but it is the first product that has been built and shown at the school.

“Free State High School woodshop built one for me in about 2 days. They have been helping me provide free little libraries around Lawrence for the last two to three years,” Kemp said.

Kemp is thoroughly involved in helping the community, and the stick library is only the latest addition to his collaborations within the school. He has helped with different causes throughout the community while collaborating with different clubs and student organizations.

“The Woodshop class has helped us build Free Little Libraries around Lawrence and surrounding cities,” Kemp said. “Can We Talk adopted two families for Christmas, and StuCo Students helped with the Breast Cancer 5K run.”