Meet the People Responsible for an Improving Public Library

DAYTON-Good things have been happening at the Dayton Memorial Library, including a recent honor bestowed on the library by the American Library Association, for the Family Dinner and Story Program, which will be featured on the ALA website "Future Trends of Libraries".

Since Dusty Waltner hired on as the Library Director in March of 2015 there have been many visible improvements at the Dayton Memorial Library.

"My goal has been to increase programming and services, and boost awareness in the community, to let people know we're here," said Waltner.

When she was first hired Waltner said she analyzed the physical layout of the library, to try to figure out how to achieve additional space.

With that in mind, Waltner turned the basement, which was being used for storage, into the Children's Library, and began expanding the adult section on the main level, she said.

Waltner said her focus for the library is on material collections in current trends, and bestsellers, and replenishing some of the classics. She said there are now 100,000 titles in the catalogue.

Raising awareness about online resources, and increasing accessibility to technology, for library patrons, are important goals, Waltner said.

"We've moved to a digital world," she said. "So many people don't even know how to fill out an online job application."

The library recently offered a workshop to teach people how to download library materials onto their electronic devices.

Waltner said she will offer more workshops in the future, and that could include tutorials in Microsoft Word and Outlook.

In 2017 Waltner is looking forward to painting the main floor, adding shelving for the DVD audio book collection, and getting an underground sprinkling system installed for the landscaping.

An elevator, and a security system might be nice, too, Waltner added.

None of these things have been accomplished without the help of the library staff, Waltner said.

Waltner said the library Youth Specialist, Carolyn Laib, has a special talent with the children she works with.

"She is not afraid to dance around with the kids," Waltner said about Laib's interactions with her young charges. "Her storytimes are fabulous."

Laib started working at the Dayton Memorial Library in April, 2015, and she is responsible for collections, programming and organization, and outreach with the schools, in her capacity as the children's librarian.

"I love getting to know the kids . . . It's going to be fun watching these kids grow," said Laib.

"I knew a lot of people in the community, but now I know more," Laib said. "It's a great place to work!"

Adult Specialist Howard Beuhler was hired on January 1, 2015 at the library and he is in charge of managing and organizing the proper layout of the main floor, and adult materials collections.

"Howard is even-keeled and has a great attitude. Everyone gets along with him. Our patrons ask for Howard," Waltner said.

"The library should be a place for literacy," said Beuhler. "We're working towards that, and making this a pleasant social place."

Beuhler has been focused on improving the reference section, placing more emphasis on history and genealogy, and on providing more consistent programming for adults, while making collections more easily accessible.

Beuhler said he would like to expand the audio book titles, and devote a couple of hours a week to patrons with computer issues.

Recently Beuhler has added a new shelving system for periodicals and newspapers.

Connecting the Friends of the Library, past librarians, and high school interns with the current library is on Beuhler's mind, as well, he said.

Sylvia Beuhler and Sandy Dare, with The Friends of the Library, are helping keep books shelved properly through the Adopt-a-Shelf program. High school intern Andrew Price is helping with that, as well, Beuhler said.

"We're hitting the cookbook section hard," Beuhler said about a particularly unruly section of books.

Library Assistant Vicki Zoller began working at the library on January 25, 2016.

"Since she got here, she has made the library known in the community," said Waltner.

Zoller is responsible for all cataloguing, book ordering, and materials acquisitions, AND she is responsible for all marketing, promotions, social media, and for maintaining the library website, Waltner said.

"Who wouldn't want to work at the library?" Zoller asked.

As a newcomer to Dayton, Zoller said that working at the library seemed like a logical way to get to know the community and do "something useful"," she said.

Zoller's goals are to provide the same level of service at the Dayton Memorial Library that patrons find in bigger communities, especially for young people, she said.

It is likely the first person library patrons see at the library is Library Assistant Rachel McGanty, who was hired on June 21, 2016, and who works at the circulation desk.

McGanty is responsible for the circulation desk, book holds, shelving, straightening shelved books, and all the other daily work that goes on in the library, Waltner said.

"She's really good with establishing a personal connection," Waltner said about McGanty's effervescent personality.

McGanty agrees, "I love interacting with people."

And last, but not least, at the library is Eric Rodrick who performs facilities and landscaping maintenance at the library.

Rodrick has been working at the library for two years, Waltner said.

"It doesn't matter what the task is, he will do it. Whatever it is he will jump in, and do it," she said.

Waltner said she has been working in libraries, in some capacity, for the past twenty years. She received her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University in August, 2015, while in the beginning stages of her employment at the Dayton Memorial Library.