Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Ms Vivian

If you visit the Northwest Branch, you might be greeted by one of our dedicated and friendly volunteers: Ms. Vivian. As a greeter, she welcomes patrons and offers direction while also keeping a close eye on those leaving so she can thank them for visiting. Her passion for serving the at Library began in 1998 when she worked at the Dayton View Branch on Salem Avenue. She loved the windows and historic architecture of that Branch. Ms. Vivian continued to work for the Library as a substitute until 2017 when she switched to volunteer status and began greeting patrons at the new Northwest Branch. She has over 100 hours of service in 2026 alone, bringing her total of volunteer service to 346 and counting!

Ms. Vivian brings an air of warmness with her to DML, always making everyone feel welcome. “Ms. Vivian is a ray of sunshine as she greets everyone who walks through the doors at Northwest,” said Sharon Taste, DML’s Branch Manager for the Northwest Branch. “I recall a patron saying, ‘My visit at the Northwest Branch was lovely! On my way out, she asked me if I had found everything I needed. Extra lovely! That woman made my visit there feel extra special as a patron.’”

Originally from Winchester, Tennessee, Ms. Vivian moved to Dayton when she was in the fifth grade. Her earliest memory of the library was figuring out the card catalog system. She laughs when reflecting on how young people have no idea how different research was without the “search bar on the website!”

She loves the organization of DML almost as much as she loves our community events and partnerships, especially when there is music. She supports DML’s partnership with Levitt Pavilion and once attended a jazz concert at the Main Library with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta.

When she is not at the Library, she actively works at Zik’s Family Pharmacy and has spent years working for Goodwill Easter Seals. The Library is not her only volunteer service. For 38 years, she has been an active member of Mt. Enon Baptist Church, volunteering as a greeter with the Hospitality Ministry. She also serves on the Scholarship Committee, raising money and distributing funding to high school students. Ms. Vivian also supports the fun and fellowship of the Senior Program at the Church. She graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Central State University, and the University of Dayton.

Thank you, Ms. Vivian for your efforts to promote Library events and services to patrons visiting the Northwest Branch Library! We are lucky to have you on the team.