Open Book Club meets the 4^th Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm (possible exception in November/December).

Books are provided by the library, hence it is necessary for the librarian to typically select books that are readily available as sets from local libraries.  Attendees are welcome to bring a beverage of choice, including undistilled adult beverages.  Ask, and the librarian will also make coffee.  

Welcome to the Dayton Public Library

Our library was established before 1900 in Dayton, Iowa, when a few women each purchased some books to exchange.  As the collection grew, the books were housed in the back of the local bank with access provided only to local schoolchildren.  Later, a women’s club was organized, and they established the library in 1940 at which time it was moved to the high school.  The women’s club sponsored the library until 1945, after which it became tax-supported in order to maintain a free public library for the town.  Due to overcrowding, the library relocated to a former bank building where it remained until the current building was erected in 1966.  This new building included the post office and the city council chambers.  In 1993 the council chambers were relocated, allowing the library to expand for a total of 1406 square feet.

The Dayton Public Library is accredited by the State Library of Iowa.  It is the library’s mission to provide citizens with equal access to information and ideas in order to lead an enriched life through lifelong learning.

The Board of Trustees meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5 pm at the library, except December.

2020 US Census—get info at the State Data Center:

"Morbid Curiosities: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe" Celebrates Twenty Years

Storyteller Brings Edgar Allan Poe To Life at the Dayton Public Library Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 4 - 5:30 PM

Iowa storyteller Darrin Crow will bring Gothic horror master Edgar Allan Poe to life in "Morbid Curiosities– An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe". The master of Gothic horror comes from beyond the veil to talk with audiences about his life and share his best stories and poetry including “The Masque of the Red Death”, “The Raven” and “The Tell Tale Heart.” The performance also features one of Poe's comedies, "The Angel of the Odd," a cautionary tall tale about the dangers of too much drinking.

Darrin Crow tells powerful, imaginative, engaging stories that keep audiences on the edge of their seats and stick with them long after the tale ends. Whether in a classroom, museum, festival, art fair, or ancient Greek amphitheater, Darrin crafts stories that deliver exactly what the listeners need. He has been telling stories since he was in high school with stops along the way working in museums and theater. He makes his home in Cedar Rapids with his wife, three children, and two cats.