Elaine Johnson, President of the Dayton Metro Library Board of Trustees, announced last evening at a regularly-scheduled Board meeting that DML Executive Director Tim Kambitsch will retire on February 28, 2021, following a long and distinguished career. The announcement was delayed from March of this year to ensure the Library’s stability during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Johnson praised Kambitsch for guiding Dayton Metro Library through monumental change and growth. “Tim has created a positive culture, provides thoughtful and strategic leadership, and is a trusted community collaborator,” Johnson said. Kambitsch has served as Executive Director of Dayton Metro Library since January 2001.
Kambitsch worked for years to lay the groundwork to launch a major facilities plan, Libraries for a Smarter Future, to build a new Main Library and 16 state-of-the art Branches. He led a coalition of community partners to secure $187 million for much needed replacement and improvements to the library’s aging infrastructure. The project is in the final stages with the last four buildings anticipated to open between late 2021 and early 2023.
In the 1980s Kambitsch implemented and managed DML’s first automated system. Following a short stint in the private sector at Data Research Associates supporting libraries through technology change, Kambitsch managed an automation and network project and introduced the Internet to library staff and the university community at Butler University Libraries. He returned to Dayton Metro Library as Information Technology Director in 1995, serving in that capacity until becoming Executive Director.
Kambitsch’s leading vision to embrace technology as an innovative Library service has impacted how Library patrons live, work, interact, and create and consume content. He has served as an advocate for advancing digital literacy with Library peers. More recently, Kambitsch has surfaced as a leader in nurturing collaborations and partnerships to address critical issues in the community, including poverty, access, literacy, equity and workforce.
A third generation Daytonian, Kambitsch has deep roots and a lifetime of experiences in Dayton. His employment at Dayton Metro Library began in 1972 as a page at the Main Library while he was a junior at Chaminade High School. He attended Sinclair Community College prior to receiving his undergraduate degree from Wright State University. He received a Masters in Library and Information Science at Kent State University and completed additional graduate coursework in Public Administration from the University of Dayton.
Kambitsch devotes energy to numerous community organizations including the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dayton program, the Dayton Society of Natural History, Montgomery County Law Library, and Learn to Earn Dayton. Kamitsch and his wife Julie Beall are residents and active with The Oregon Historic District.
Dayton Metro Library has attracted and retained noteworthy leadership in its history. Kambitsch is only the fifth Director since nationally-recognized suffragist and library innovator Electra Collins Doren’s tenure, which ended in 1927.
The Trustees plan to enter into contract with a national search firm to secure Kambitsch’s replacement, led by a committee of the Board. Johnson added, “Tim’s shoes will be hard to fill, but I want the community, staff and patrons to know that we will take the time to find the right person with the vision to maximize Dayton Metro Library’s impact in our community.”
WDTN and Dayton’s CW are proud to be kicking off the 37th annual Coats for Kids campaign on Thursday, September 17th. Corporate sponsors for the campaign include LCNB National Bank and Catholic Social Services. In-kind partners include Cintas Corporation and RUSH Transportation and Logistics.
The campaign, scheduled to run from September 17th through October 23rd, will once again ask residents of the Dayton region to take any new or washable coat that they or their children may have outgrown or winter accessory to any sponsor location and place them in the Coats for Kids collection barrel. The Cintas Corporation will then launder the coats and RUSH Transportation and Logistics will transport the coats, both at no charge.
To celebrate 
Daboiku’s affiliation with Dayton Metro Library began with “Jack and his cousin Brer Rabbit,” which explored traditional Appalachian tales. In 2019, she created “Star Stories and Constellations” for the Library’s Summer Challenge. This past February, she conducted the Muse Machine residency, “Making Art, Building Community,” with middle school students at Stivers and Ruskin. She wrote scripts from the students’ life stories, and staged an evening performance at the Main Library. Currently, she is a community producer with WYSO, vice-president of the Ohio Storytelling Network, and a published poet. Her other passions include textile art, writing about growing up in Appalachia, world history, and urban agriculture.
Five Rivers MetroParks
Trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The community is asked to reserve tree seedling pick up for those who own, manage or maintain property or natural areas damaged during the tornadoes. The trees are intended to aid in long-term reforestation efforts as the Dayton region continues to recover from the 2019 tornadoes.
Inspired by the story of Elena Desserich, Graeter’s formed a partnership with 