Feature Story
- Dayton Memorial Library: Changes in the Right Direction by Ryan Schreck
- Activities at the Dayton Library
Dayton Memorial Library:
Changes in the Right Direction
When I visited the Dayton Memorial Library recently, it all seemed comfortingly familiar. From the outside, it looks about the same as it always has. Same handsome bricks, same bronze bell. The inside looks about the same as well, but beneath the décor there are big changes afoot.
To start with, the doors were unlocked when I arrived. That was a relatively rare occurrence in the past, when the library was only open 20 hours per week. Increased accessibility was one of the first changes brought by the library's new stewards, the Columbia Country Rural Library District, and it's first director, Janet Lyon.
Lyon has spent most of her professional life in libraries, beginning as a clerk in 1984 at a newly formed library in Pend Oreille County and eventually rising to the position of director. Along the way she earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in library science, all while working full time at the library.
When management of the Dayton library passed from the city to the CCRLD, Lyon was a perfect fit for the director's seat. "I knew from experience how to bring up a new library, and I wanted a new experience before I retired," she says.
And true to the district's name and her own small town roots, she and the board of trustees have not neglected Dayton's rural residents. Increased hours of operation have benefited those who live in town, but changes have also been made to accommodate those who live on the outskirts of the district. "My vision is for the library to be a valuable resource for the entire community, including those who live out of town, in Starbuck and the Tucannon," Lyon says.
To provide remote readers with better access to the library, orders can be placed by phone, with books delivered by mail. People living way out on the Tucannon also get special service—a volunteer courier will bring the books to the Last Resort Store, where area residents can retrieve them.
As with any venture, improvements can't be made without capital. The infusion of CCRLD property tax money into the operation of the library increased the annual budget significantly, and under Lyon's leadership the library has received grants totaling $20,000. That financial boost has helped transform the library from a seldom-used public facility to a meeting place for people of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, programs and activities are available for just about anybody. And with four computers connected to the internet and free wi-fi throughout the building, the library has definitely entered the 21st century.
Another bonus for the community is the free use of the adjoining Delany Room. In the past, this space was only available to rent. But now groups such as 4-H and the Lions Club use it for meetings, the library hosts events there, and people can stop in to spend their lunch break in a warm, quiet environment.
Today the Dayton Memorial Library feels more like a public square than a stodgy storehouse of knowledge. No longer a place for solitary study, it is a multipurpose community center that brings people together for learning as well as recreation. It's the same brick building it always has been, but with a bigger budget, expanded hours and a larger staff, it offers much more than free books.
Visit the Columbia County Rural Library Website.
Activities at the Dayton Library
Youngsters
• Toddler story time (Tuesday, 11 to 11:30 a.m.) and preschool story time (Mondays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.): Held separately, these programs mix stories with singing and dancing to instill a love of books and learning.
• Arts and crafts programs: Held periodically throughout the year, kids of all ages are invited to unleash their creativity on holiday-themed projects.
Students
• Teen's write club (third Friday of each month, 3:30 to 5 p.m.): This creative writing workshop helps young writers develop their skills.
• One-book grants: For the current unit, participants, grades 4-8, were given their own copy of Patrick Carman's "House of Power." A series of book discussions followed and will culminate in March with a personal appearance by the author.
Adults
• Computer classes (Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.): Learn the basic skills to navigate computer software and the Internet.
For more activity information, visit the Events page of the Columbia County Rural Library Website.
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