The West Branch maintains a diverse staff of people with various backgrounds, interests and life experiences. This includes a Branch Manager and Assistant Branch Manager, two Children’s Librarians, one Teen Librarian, three Information Service Assistants, and four Patron Service Assistants. Their attributes blend cohesively in their collective effort to promote “Intellectual Freedom” and create a welcoming Library atmosphere on Dayton’s west side.
Ms. Johnson began her professional career with Dayton Metro Library in 2002 as a Children's Librarian at Madden Hills before becoming the Branch Manager in 2011. Ms. Johnson then served as Branch Manager of both the Madden Hills and Westwood Branches. In 2022, the two Branches were merged into the new West Branch, where Ms. Johnson remains the Branch Manager. Her favorite authors are James Patterson and Kimberla Lawson-Roby. She enjoys working in her flower garden, reading, and playing with her pups Mylo and Zoey.
A native Daytonian, Ashlee Hammond grew up in the Madden Hills and Westwood areas. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University in 2016 and her MLIS from Kent State University in 2019. She is an alumnus of the Black Leadership Development Program through Parity, Inc. Her Library career began in 2011 as a Library Aide. Through the years, she’s continued to grow within the Dayton Metro Library system, working as both a Patron Services Assistant and Teen Services Librarian. Now she is the Assistant Branch Manager at the West Branch. Ashlee has always been inspired by this simple quote: “She believed she could, and so she did.”
Dayton Metro Library is proud to be part of the redevelopment of the Wright Factory site. The West Branch has partnerships with the National Aviation Heritage Alliance and National Parks and the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, which will provide joint initiatives to keep the community connected. DML also partners with Co-op Dayton’s Westside Makerspace as an investment in workforce development and entrepreneurship in the community. By partnering with Dayton Children’s Hospital, the West Branch has expanded its capacity for the children’s meal program and a mobile kitchen cart for nutrition education will be a staple in the Branch. A dedicated Percussion Play Area in partnership with Preschool Promise and Learn to Earn Dayton has been installed for patrons young and old to enjoy.
The West Branch unites the former Madden Hills and Westwood Branches in a new space, doubling their combined size. The architects took to heart that community residents said they wanted their new Library to be a beacon. The two intersecting, soaring rooflines at the entrance symbolize the coming together of the two branches. The colorful panels above the entrance glow at night and are a nod to the neighboring historic Wright Airplane Factory.