As National Library Card Sign-Up Month concludes, we want to highlight the critical ways we serve as a pathway to possibilities by embodying principles of mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, a framework coined by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, the 'Mother' of Multicultural Children’s Literature.

This includes a commitment that our collections, programs, and services are culturally relevant and responsive to diverse populations. 

We fulfill this promise by ensuring that patrons see their lived experiences reflected in bookshelves (mirrors). As a place where everyone is Free to Belong, this also means that individuals can be challenged by looking upon and through different perspectives (windows). This vulnerability through literature can have liberating experience when readers venture into a new world of discovery that they have never visited before (sliding glass doors).  

We strive to continuously improve the diversity of our collections to reflect the multicultural communities served across Montgomery County. Currently, 24% of our collection is diverse titles, up from 14% in 2021, which is significantly better than the national average of 17% for public libraries. Further, we will continue to amplify the voices of diverse authors, characters, and stories through upcoming programs and strategic initiatives as DML proudly serves as a book sanctuary.  

DML's EDI Department is excited to announce a strategic initiative called “Reading Railroad.” This organization-wide initiative will advance racial equity by supporting Black boys, young men, and their support system.

When policies, programs, and planning intentionally support Black boys and their network of supporters, all other populations also reap the benefits. Reading Railroad will cultivate a culture of reading, belonging and brotherhood, and pathways to upward mobility. Here are a few initial events of this initiative.  

Student-Athlete Mental Health Symposium

Main Library, Eichelberger Forum, Friday, November 18, 5 - 8 pm

Former NFL player and Ohio State Buckeye legend Maurice Clarett drops by to discuss mental health and well-being of athletes in our community.

Registration is required. (Teens and Adults)

Black Men Read is not only a strategic series of programs by DML, but it's also an affirmation statement that validates Black men’s long-lasting love for various forms of literature. This includes reading and producing fiction and nonfiction books of all reading-levels, in addition to plays, poetry, movie scripts, lyrics, scholarly articles, and more.

As part of DML's larger Reading Railroad initiative, Black Men Read will host regular book clubs, celebratory events, and calls-to-action across the community to engage children, youth, and families and to create a culture of readers and challenge stereotypes. Check out several programs below.

Black Boy Excellence Storytimes 

Nationally, storytimes in PK-6 schools, libraries, and homes rarely feature Black boys or men as the primary characters in books. When they are featured, the stories are often historical or biographical, which can portray traumatic experiences.

Although these stories are both vital and timely for age-appropriate audiences, it is essential that Black boys, young men, and their support systems engage in routine activities and express joy through the daily activities of life.  

As a result, DML will continue to make it a strategic priority to include these books in our programming, displays, and book recommendations. Black Boy Excellence Storytimes will be highlighted across DML's 17 Branches. This effort will kick off in October and will be embedded throughout our regular storytimes.

Additionally, DML will host Black Boy Excellence Storytime: Local Author Feature with Valerie M. Reynolds debuting her newly released children's book, The Joys of Being a Little Black Boy: West Branch, Saturday, November 23, 1 - 2 pm, and Northwest Branch, Monday, November 30, 1 - 2 pm.

Find upcoming Black Boy Excellence Storytimes. Want additional reading suggestions? Check out DML's staff-curated Black Boy Excellence reading list!

Read in Black

Read in Black was founded on brotherhood, with a focus on Black men who seek to expand their horizons through reading, reflecting, and relationship-building. Meet others from the community who provide mutual support and different perspectives from various walks of life.  

Reading Railroad: Read in Black Book Club, Main Library, Thursday, November 14, 5 - 7 pm, registration required. This month's book is The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida. (Adults)

*A room location will be selected closer to this program's date.

Robert Owens is an innovative creative regarded as a highly insightful professional. He obtained his B.S. in Special Education from Central State University. Robert has taught for 15 years and has worked with at-risk youth in education, corrections, treatment, and chemical dependency for 20. He also holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Wright State University, with over 25 years of experience as a trained facilitator.

As a certified life coach, Robert understands firsthand the powerful impact that outreach and student services programs can have on youth. He brings more than two decades of experience in the areas of inclusion, transformational leadership, achievement, and professional development in his role at DML as the Racial Equity Manager.

Robert previously served as the Assistant Branch Manager at the Southeast Branch.

It is a sense of civic responsibility that DML fulfill a vital role in the region as a convener for topics on social justice, civility, and respect. DML seeks to create understanding and empathy through spaces that allow it to share its commonalities and differences. DML believes that conversation is a foundational tool to build human connection and a sense of community.  

We've Always Been Here: A Summit on Trans Lives Past, Present, & Future, Main Library, Eichelberger, Saturday, October 5, 10 am - 5 pm:

Nationally celebrated trans historian Dr. Samantha Rosenthal will keynote, followed by an intergenerational panel of trans youth, trans elders, and trans in-betweeners who will share their stories.

Registration is required. (All Ages)

The Black Midwest Symposium, Main Library, Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, all day: DML welcomes patrons to this third biennial symposium. This year's theme is "Adaptive Reuse," a call to action for Black communities and allies across the Midwest. Registration is required. (Adults)

The Fitz Center for Leadership in Community at the University of Dayton and DML, in partnership with the Daybreak Dayton, the African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG), the Paul Laurence Dunbar House, Scripted in Black, YWCA, Gem City Market, and others, were selected to receive a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant for 2024-25.

The selected Big Read book this year is Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing. With a theme of ‘Where We Live,’ audiences of all ages will be able to participate in a variety of community activities all year.

DML will host a series of creative writing workshops hosted by The Human Race Theatre Company and book clubs in the months to come. Keep a watch out for additional programs!

DML's final Social Justice Speaker Series event, Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World that Wasn't Designed You, will be held in the Main Library's Eichelberger Forum, on Thursday, October 10, from 6 - 7:30 pm.

Jenara Nerenberg, author of Divergent Mind, will discuss neurodivergent topics, including a path forward to better support neurodivergent individuals. (Adults and Teens)

The Social Justice Speaker Series is sponsored by Friends of the Dayton Metro Library.

DML's LGBTQIA+ Specialist, Jordan Ostrum

Monday, October 14 is Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day.

DML will host a special program in honor of the day: Indigenous Peoples' Day Fireside Chat with Autumn Lee at the Burkhardt Branch on Friday, October 11, from 4 -5:30 pm. (All Ages)

All DML locations will be closed Monday, October 14

for Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day;

and Monday, November 11 for Veterans Day.

Mon, Tue, Thu: 9:30am - 8:30pm |  Wed, Fri, Sat: 9:30am - 6pm

  All Locations Closed Sunday

To support the Dayton Metro Library, please visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org/Donate