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. Learn about Paws to Read >>

Author Talks

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

• Author Talks Online - Register for an Author Talk to 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.
• 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 - Authors love speaking at Wright Library and we love having them! See the Wright Library Calendar for author visits.

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
  • May 1, 2025 (7 pm) - Solving the Enigma: The History of the German Cipher Machine
• 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.
• Assistive Technology Fair (April 23) - Meet with local vendors and explore a wide range of assistive devices designed to support individuals with various disabilities.

More about Living Well & Life Skills programs >>

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.

Performing Arts

Enjoy films and performances of music, dance, and theatre.

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) - Are you looking for a community of fellow movie enthusiasts? Wright Library has your ticket to a world of cinematic adventures, discussions, and tasteful movie drama at this monthly watch-and-discuss forum. View Upcoming Cinephile Club Films.

• March 27 - "All About Eve" by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1950, no rating, comedy/drama)
• April 24 - "Royal Tenenbaums" by Wes Anderson (2001, rated R, comedy/drama)
• May 22 - "The Age of Innocence" by Martin Scorsese (1993, rated PG, romance/drama)

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

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.

• Mysterious Moths: The Darker Side of Butterflies (April 5) - Explore the mysterious and captivating world of moths with Jim McCormac, a nationally recognized naturalist and one of Ohio’s best nature photographers.
• Author Talks Online: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees (April 8) - Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world.
• Dark Sky Ohio (April 29) - Brad Kerry, Director of Government Affairs for Dark Sky Ohio, helps us to understand light pollution.

More about Nature & Ecology programs >> 

Creative Activities

Celebrate creativity with these hands-on programs. 

• Embroidery Stitch Sampler for Adults (April 10) - Jesy Anderson, owner of Needle, Ink, and Thread, shows embroidery stitches and techniques to adult beginners. Registration required.
• 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. In April, Celebrate Citizen Science Month and Earth Day with outdoor environmental activities (weather permitting). Meet in the Children’s Terrace for science and fun.
• 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.

• Coffee with a Cop (April 9) - Get to know Oakwood Public Safety Officers over a cup of coffee! Bring your questions and concerns or just drop in to say hello.
• Radiate Night for Teens (April 11) - An enlightening panel discussion for teens to learn about positive mental and physical well-being for themselves and how to support others.
• 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.

• Radiate Night for Teens (April 11) - An enlightening panel discussion for teens to learn about positive mental and physical well-being for themselves and how to support others.
• Teen Exam Break (May 28 & 29) - Take a break between exams (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) with pizza, snacks, therapy dogs, and friends.
• 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 (weekly/summer)
• 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.