THE CENTER
What is The Center?
The Community Impact & Innovation Center at the Dayton Metro Library is a centralized hub at the Main Library for specialized community resources, fostering collaboration, innovation, and measurable results that lead to regional growth and personal development. “The Center” connects patrons with essential services, expert guidance, and transformative opportunities that address social, educational, cultural, and economic needs.
Through partnerships with local organizations, The Center ensures that individuals, families, nonprofits, small businesses, and corporations have the tools and support systems they need to succeed.
BUILD YOUR FUTURE HERE
Data-informed | People-inspired | Results-oriented
Our Mission
We equip our community to address regional challenges and opportunity gaps collaboratively through innovative partnerships, services, programs, and resources.
Our Vision
An impactful, engaged, and connected community where everyone can access resources and information to reach their full potential.
Our Values
Collaboration
Bridging people, sectors, and ideas
for collective impact.
Community
Centering lived experiences
and local voices.
innovation
Creating bold solutions for
evolving challenges.
Our Approach
- Community Engagement and Outreach – Build and sustain partnerships with organizations and change-agents to amplify the Library’s impact beyond our walls, while also identifying resources to bring inside the Library.
- Direct Services for Patrons and Staff – Provide tailored resources, guidance, and support that meet immediate needs and strengthen both patron and staff experiences.
- Place and Space Activation – Cultivate non-traditional experiences in library spaces and serve as a centralized hub for specialized services and resources.
- Programs and Signature Events – Deliver innovative programs and high-impact events that engage the community and highlight the library’s role as a hub of information, innovation, and impact.
- Training and Professional Development – Offer skills training and capacity-building opportunities for staff, patrons, and partners.
Connect | Create | Collaborate | Co-Work
Our Specialized Areas & Expert Staff
The Center’s specialized areas of focus are designed to meet the evolving needs of Montgomery County residents and partners. We address community-wide issues and the specific needs of populations and industry sectors. We have dedicated full-time community impact specialists covering the following areas:
Systems & Services
Community Wellness
Focused on health, well-being, connection, and support for people and their families. Find the support you need on our robust community wellness page.
Nonprofit
Resources and training for nonprofit leaders, including grant writing assistance, capacity-building workshops, and strategic development.
Small Business
Guidance for entrepreneurs looking to start or scale businesses, including planning, mentorship, and access to funding resources.
Workforce Development
Career coaching, resume-building workshops, job training, and employment readiness programs.
People & Communities
Black Youth & Families
Cultivating a lifelong love of learning by supporting Black boys, young men, and their support systems.
LGBTQIA+ Communities
Creating safe, welcoming spaces that support belonging and resource connections.
Older Adults
Supporting independence, community-building, and quality of life through resources and programs.
New Americans
Support navigating systems, finding resources, and building stability.
Utilizing The Center
As regional challenges grow increasingly complex, The Center for Community Impact & Innovation serves as a transformative physical space for collective imagination and action. Libraries remain one of the last trusted public commons. The Center extends this trust — meeting people where they are and fostering innovation through partnerships. The Center is an active incubation and co-working space for creatives, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and community changemakers, while also serving as a resource hub for those in need of support.
The Center is ready to meet your needs! The space can accommodate individuals and small groups, or larger groups up to 50 setup classroom style. The Center's meeting space has a projector, screen, sink, and convenient access to restrooms. The Main Library amenities include a coffee shop, public printing and scanning equipment, computer and laptop lending, and, of course, our extensive collections of print resources and online databases! You can learn more about everything the Main Library has to offer, here.
Interested in using The Center?
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