Books & Reading

Book Clubs and Reading Challenges provide unique ways to grow your love of reading.

• Reading Challenges - Youth, teens, and adults: Join the Summer Reading Challenge (June/July) or Winter Challenge (January/February) to log new reads, complete fun quests, and win prizes.
• Book Clubs - Join the book club that's right for you. Explore Wright Library Book Club, Next Chapter Book Club, or enter to win a book each month from the Family Dinner Book Club.
• Children's Storytimes - Weekly story readings paired with age-appropriate activities.
• Paws to Read - Sign up your child to read to a therapy dog, promoting positive associations with reading. Child must be able to read independently for one 15-minute time slot. Register for upcoming Summer 2025 Paws to Read sessions.

Author Talks

Connect with authors across the globe and in our neighborhood at these live and virtual author talks.

• Author Talks Online - Hear authors and thought leaders from around the world through a live-streamed presentation. Watch live or catch a previously recorded talk. Register in advance to submit questions to the authors. Made possible from the Library Speakers Consortium and funding from the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.
• Summer Author Talks Online for Kids - feature engaging talks from your favorite youth authors! Katherine Applegate (06/24), Raul the Third (07/08), Marie Lu (07/17), and Rex Ogle (07/23). Register in advance to submit your own questions to the authors.
• Dayton Literary Peace Prize Author Visit (November) - Kick off Dayton's literary weekend at Wright Library.
• Cultural Arts & Book Series - Wright Library is proud to be a sponsor of Jewish Dayton's annual Cultural Arts & Book Series for 2024-2025.
• Author Visits in 2025 - Authors love speaking at Wright Library and we love having them! Coming Fall 2025! Rebecca E.F. Barone (Sept. 28), children's author of Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazi's Secret Code.

Local History & Genealogy

Learn about the rich history of Oakwood and Dayton and the impact on our community today. Find an overview of historical offerings on the Wright Library History Enthusiasts Page.

• Civil War Roundtable Speaker Series - This program series highlights Dayton's legacy to the Civil War. A Wright Library partnership with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Miami Valley Civil War Round Table. Learn more about the Civil War series or see the Wright Library Calendar for Civil War programs.
• Far Hills Speaker Series (Spring & Fall) - This series features engaging stories from the Miami Valley for the history buff or the curious. A Wright Library partnership with the Oakwood Historical Society. Learn more about the Far Hills Speaker Series or see the Wright Library Calendar for Far Hills Speaker Series programs.
• Codebreaker Speaker Series - After decades of being hidden under secrecy, cryptology and codebreaking comes to light in this program series. A Wright Library partnership with the National Cryptologic Museum. Learn more about the Codebreaker Series or see the Wright Library Calendar for Codebreaker programs
• Genealogy Interest Group (monthly) - Learn about library resources and network with other genealogists. See the Wright Library Calendar for genealogy programs.

Living Well & Life Skills

Find programs that guide us towards better health, finances, and sustainability. 

• National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (Monthly) - Public meetings to learn more about general resources in our community for the newly blind. More accessibility resources at Wright Library.
• For Youth, Elementary STEM workshops provided by the Montgomery County Extension of Ohio State University.
  • Mini Lava Lamps (June 5)
  • Mixing Colors (July 17)
• Eras Escape Room (July 9) - Teens grades 7-12 in teams of 3-5 can register to solve puzzles and save Taylor Swift's reputation from an evil record company.
• Medicare 101 (June 24)
• Jeffrey's Journey (July 11) - Documentary screening and discussion with Jeffrey McElfresh about his disability and cycling journey. Dinner provided. A Wright Library partnership with the Oakwood Inclusion Coalition.

More about Living Well & Life Skills programs

Juneteenth Exhibit

Visit Wright Library June 1-30, 2025, to view the exhibit Juneteenth. 

Wright Library is proud to partner with The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center to showcase a display on the origins of the oldest national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

Upcoming Juneteenth programs:

• Movie Screening of The Six Triple Eight (June 18) Enjoy Tyler Perry's powerful story of the all-female 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the WWII Women’s Army Corps that accomplished the near-impossible task of sorting two years of backlogged mail. Special guest speaker Dr. Cassie Barlow, current President of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education and the former 88th Air Base Wing and Installation Commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. We will also welcome Judith Early, daughter of Major Charity Adams-Earley, that led the 6888 to complete their task.

Codebreaker Exhibit

Visit Wright Library to view the exhibit Breaking the Code: Dayton's Secret Role in WWII. 

See rare artifacts including an Analog Enigma machine, Bombe Rotor, and other codebreaking ephemera on extended loan from the National Cryptologic Museum. Interpretive panels tell the story of Oakwood native and NCR Engineer Joseph Desch, the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), and the rigorous yet secretive daily routine of decoding German war communication during WWII. 

Made possible with support from the National Cryptologic Museum, Oakwood Unsung Heroes, National Aviation Heritage Area honoring Montgomery County as an American WWII Heritage designation, and Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.

Upcoming Codebreaking programs:

• (Summer 2025) Word Search and Codebreaking Puzzles in the Youth Services Area
• History Talk: Solving the Enigma (September 11, 2025)
• Author visit with Rebecca E.F. Barone (Sept. 28, 2025) - children's author of Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazi's Secret Code.

Performing Arts

Wright Library is your host to films and performances of music, dance, and theatre.

Performances

• Asian American Coalition of Ohio (June 14) - Cultural performance and hands-on activities for the whole family.
• Cincinnati Dayton Taiko Drummers (July 12) - Experience the rhythm of Japanese culture and a workshop where kids can have drumming fun too!

Film Screenings

Trade your phone screen for the big screen and join us for a variety of films at Wright Library. Made possible by the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation. 

Cinephile Club for Adults (Monthly, fourth Thursday) - Wright Library has your ticket to this watch-and-discuss forum with fellow movie enthusiasts. View Upcoming Cinephile Club Films.

• May 22 - "The Age of Innocence" by Martin Scorsese (1993, rated PG, romance/drama)
• June 21 - "Babette's Feast" by Gabriel Axel (1987, rated G, romance/melodrama)
• July 26 - Disney Pixar's "Up" (2009, PG, family/adventure)

Movie Matinees - Bring a friend or come solo to meet new people while enjoying classic cinema. Drop-ins welcome. View Upcoming Matinee Films.

• May 17 - "The Age of Innocence" by Martin Scorsese (1993, rated PG, romance/drama) - canceled
• June 26 - "Babette's Feast" by Gabriel Axel (1987, rated G, romance/melodrama)
• July 31 - "The Night of the Hunter" by Charles Laughton (1955, no rating, thriller/noir)
• August - "The Red Shoes" (1948, no rating, romance/musical)

Special Juneteenth Screening of The Six Triple Eight - Wednesday, June 18 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.  
Enjoy Tyler Perry's powerful story of the all-female 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the WWII Women’s Army Corps that accomplished the near-impossible task of sorting two years of backlogged mail. Special guest speaker Dr. Cassie Barlow, current President of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education and the former 88th Air Base Wing and Installation Commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. We will also welcome Judith Early, daughter of Major Charity Adams-Earley, that led the 6888 to complete their task. View details about The Six Triple Eight screening.

Nature & Ecology

Find programs and resources to support science, ecology, and nature. Be sure to visit the Wright Library Native Plant Gardens on your next visit.

• All About Composting (June 8) - presented by Bruce Kidney. A Wright Library partnership with the Oakwood Historical Society and Green Oakwood.
• Native Bees Nature Talk (June 26) - Join Denise Ellsworth, Program Director of OSU’s Bee Lab, to learn about the diversity and wonders of native bees and how you can support these insects that are being threatened by habitat loss and other factors.
• Native Plant Garden Tour (July 10) - Local gardeners share their knowledge about the benefits of planting natives.

More about Nature & Ecology programs

Creative Activities

Celebrate creativity with these hands-on programs. 

• Chalk the Walk (June 7) - Local chalk artists lead kids and families in bringing the library sidewalks to life!
• My Town /  Ma Ville Print Exchange (June 11) - Teens grades 7-12 learn block printmaking and prepare for a print exchange and display with Outremont, Quebec (Oakwood's Sister City).
• Family Fun - Make Art Like Eric Carle (June 28) - Activities inspired by the children's author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
• Positivity Rocks! (July 28) -  Community rock painting for teens grades 7-12.
• Tie Dye Celebration (July 31) - Bring 1-2 white cotton items per person. Rain date: August 1.
• Crafts for Kids, Teens, and Adults - including seasonal kids craft evenings and all-ages crafting days.
• Crafty Kids (Saturdays) - drop-in for a new crafts each week. Geared towards ages Pre-K to Grade 3.
• Tween Hangout (Tuesdays) - For Grades 4-7. Hang out and have fun every week with games and crafts including Shrinky Dinks, Buttons, Perler Beads, and more.
• Let's Go LEGO - We provide the LEGOS and you provide the imagination at this drop in and play program for families.
• Family Game Time - Have fun and make new family memories enjoying board games. Bring your own or peruse the library's collection.
• Wright Library Poets (monthly) - Open writing group for adults.
• Craft & Connect - Bring a project and connect with other adult crafters.

More about Creative Activity programs

Let's Talk

Gather at Wright Library for open conversations about topics that matter.

• Oakwood Candidate Forum (October) - Meet your local candidates to hear about their platforms in the upcoming election. 

More about the Let's Talk Program Series >>

For Teens

Find a variety of Teen Programs geared toward grades 7-12. See all Teen Calendar Events.

• Teen Exam Break - Take a break between exams with pizza, snacks, therapy dogs, and friends.
  • Spring Exam Breaks - 2025, May 28 & 29
  • Winter Exam Breaks - 2025, December TBA
• Teen Summer Glow Party (May 30) - Celebrate the end of school with glow-in-the-dark fun including pizza, outdoor games, music, and s’mores over the bonfire in Katharine Wright Park.
• Teen Summer Hangout
  • 2025, June 11 - My Town/Ma Ville Print Exchange
  • 2025, June 23 - House of Bread Supply Drive
  • 2025, July 9 - Eras Escape Room
  • 2025, July 28 - Positivity Rocks!
• Teen Volunteers & Advisory Board (monthly) - Plan and participate in volunteer projects for the library and community.

Digital & Technology Literacy

Learn to live and succeed with today's technology.

• Tech Tutoring (Wednesdays) - Librarians are available during drop-in hours to work one-on-one to solve your tech issues.
• Memory Digitization Lab - Join a guided orientation on digitizing photos, video tapes, slides, cassettes, and more. Learn more about the Memory Digitization Lab at Wright Library and how you can make an appointment with a librarian.