The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Are you interested in bird watching, hiking, fishing, geocaching, sewing, canning, or playing the ukulele? Are your children interested in fossils, rocks and minerals, human anatomy, bugs, butterflies, chemistry, forensic, microscopes, or something called Ozobots?

All you need is to be is 18 or older and possess a valid library card to participate in a new program at the Dayton Memorial Library called Library of Things.

The Library of Things contains kits for children and backpacks for adults with themes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

This program fits into the library's goal of becoming more of a community center instead of just focusing on books. It is a growing trend for libraries nationally, said Library Assistant Shakira Bye.

Bye said Head Librarian Dusty Waltner has talked about launching the program for a long time. In fact, Waltner's first library checked out fishing poles to patrons," she said.

Bye urges library patrons to come and check things out. That includes the sewing machine in Waltner's office, for those who want to learn to sew, she said.

The librarians hope users will research library materials, based on the themes of the kits and backpacks.

"We're trying to think of different things to bring people in," said Bye.

On August 29, the library hosted a class in mixology for adults, and Bye said she taught the art of mixing a sidecar and gin martini to a crowd of about 40 people.

Plans are also in the works for Trivia Tuesday, which will take place on the last Tuesday in September, October and November, as part of the librarians' vision to be more community focused.

"I'm excited. This is a really good opportunity to engage the 20 to 30 year old demographic," said Library Assistant Charlie Orribio, who is the Trivia Tuesday facilitator.

Orribio said Trivia Tuesday will feature "The Game of Thrones" in the segment pop culture for literature, local history and sports trivia.

The first Trivia Tuesday will be held at Chief Springs Fire and Irons Brew Pub on Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m. The second Trivia Tuesday will be held at the Weinhard Café on Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

Orribio said he is still deciding the location for November's Trivia Tuesday.

The librarians all agree that volunteers are needed to make library programs successful. "If your children are participating, then why not volunteer? Even if it's just for an hour," Bye said.

Volunteers are also needed for the library's involvement in established community events like Dayton Days, All Wheels Weekend and Dayton on Tour, she said.