Dayton Metro Library

This library reminded me of my elementary school library, just 5 times bigger. I went on a rainy, cloudy, yucky, cold Saturday. So I didn’t get to experience the overwhelming presence of nefarious characters, luckily. (That was something I was concerned about before visiting.) The vast majority of contents available for checking out are all located on the first floor. I walked up to the second floor and it seemed to have a lot of offices for community programs. However, those did not seem to be of service on Saturday, the lights were mostly all off upstairs.
The collection was nicely laid out. Maybe a little crowded. Overall, for a ‘main’ library, I thought I’d find more character to lend towards an experience rather than just a library. Hopefully by me returning books late and paying my fines I can help contribute towards a better library one day!

I needed to kill two hours and this did it for me. Found a few nice books in this well-​organized library. Probably my first library in a decade.
Maybe I’m too New York, but this place was full of thug life and street hicks that made me have my guard up the way I do when back home. That radar usually dont get set off very often when I’m out of town (and I been to some grimy ass places.)
Anyway, after skimming/​reading a book on non-​profits and about iwo jima, I headed back to the airport for my flight home. Thanks, DML!

After 40 years of visiting public libraries of all sizes all over the USA, I have to say the physical plant at the Dayton Metro Library central branch is in a sorry state of decay. The Genealogy collection has excellent resources, however I will not return due to the appalling lack of cleanliness in the public restrooms on the first floor. I have visited Forest Services outhouses that smelled cleaner than Library 1^st floor restroom. On my sales calls at this same building just a few years ago, I was offered the use of the staff restrooms which are properly maintained. I was quite surprised to find the ground in grime & smell in the public restroom. You won’t «enjoy the go» here.

I love the Dayton Metro Library. One of my more recent (but not really recent) memories is going there with my then boyfriend (now husband) and checking out copious amounts of French new wave films. Thank you Dayton Metro Library for giving me the gift of Jean Luc Godard.

The Dayton Library (main branch) has a lot going for it. The vast majority of the staff are committed, friendly professionals that really make the place. The material selection is very good for a library of its size.
However, there are a lot things that detract from this facility. It’s used as a hangout by a large number of people who have no interest in books or learning. Because of this, the library has employed several security guards. A certain percent of the staff are rather beaten down. The computer bank, by far the most popular part of the library, is antiquated and usually has a long line.
On the whole, this is a great community resource. Unfortunately it has been called on to perform the services of a community center and homeless shelter and is suffering because of it.

I hope this community resource is used as much as it should be. They have rooms available for local club and non profit meetings, a good stock of books, movies, music and software, and they have polite and knowledgeable staff. If you aren’t using your local library, you’re wasting money. Go to the library!

I love going to the library but have had nothing but problems with a staff member when I called to get my «expiration date» cleared up. There is one lady that works in circulation (I believe) that I have had to talk to twice (with a year or 2 gap in between conversations) that is VERY rude. The first time it happened I wrote a letter and someone responded stating that it would be taken care of. Fast forward to summer 2010 when this «expiration date» issue came up — I called and had to talk to this lady again. She was rude, she kept cutting me off and when I interrupted her to ask a question she acted like that was the most appalling thing to happen in the world. As the conversation continued I got really upset and hung up on her called back later and told them to take me out of the system. I’d rather drive to Centerville and use their library system because they have friendly staff members.
If you have to act like a jerkface to everyone you talk to on the phone because you hate your job that much I urge you to find a new field or retire (as that lady sounded old enough to). The thought has crossed my mind to going back — but it leaves as soon as it enters my mind.

What I like about events such as Dayton Urban Nights is it gives you a taste of places you might not think about going during an evening out… such as a library! During the event, the library was showcasing a zydeco group (I *heart* zydeco!) so it was nice to be able to escape inside, rest, and enjoy a little music.
During their break they let the little ones play with the accordions and other instruments whilst JMack and I stole a few minutes to check out some of the books. They had a good selection of books and most seemed new and up-​to-​date. It seemed well-​equipped to serve the community with banks of modern computers and plenty of helpful staff.
Like many public libraries, the Dayton one has been hit by budget cuts and no longer has Sunday hours, but opening open for the Urban Nights event was a great way for the community to take part in the library.