Reviews of Wright Memorial Public Library (Library)

kacie whaley

Great study room, very quiet

Julius Rugwiro

My kids love just the environment here. I myself found this library user friendly, and family oriented.

Aaron Gray

A very good library

Seif Azghandi

I am so glad that I am not the only who has complained about the noise level. I am TRULY amazed of the patrons and even more amazed of (most of the) staffs. They are boisterous bunch, no considerations that library by very nature should stay quiet. Bottom line, staff and most of the patrons treat this library like their own private club; pity!

Bill Rieger

I walk or ride my bike to this historic neighborhood library for books and movies. The staff is very helpful and the selection is great!

Adam Perry

This library was built while Orville Wright was still living, and he had a hand in the design of the original building. It used to be much quieter. About all that remains of his input is the front reading rooms and entrance. They did change the entrance from two small doors to one larger one to accommodate those with disabilities, but the work was done well and in lines with the original building. Orville would have approved of the new front door and lobby area I think. I have been going to this library for 60 years. It used to be quiet. People told their children to be quiet and would shut them up if they were not. If someone or a group was getting loud, a staff member would ask them several times if necessary to keep it down. If they didn't they were ask to leave, and if they did not, the Oakwood Police force was more than happy to remove noisy people. Since that time, there have been at least three major additions and an unknown number of less important rearrangements and improvements. Each time the library got louder and louder, often because physical separation (walls) between areas were gradually removed until there are few left. These walls, covered with wooden bookcases and many books helped absorb some of the undesired sound. Today, wood probably would not be used for the book cases to reduce fire risk but books are still an excellent way to absorb sounds. The second and third additions created huge and uncluttered (but very noisy) areas across the back -- not unlike bowling alleys. Like bowling alleys, a relatively small noise can penetrate the long distances and be added with other noises along the way and create an uncomfortably loud volume of unintelligible sounds. My suggestions for future rearrangements and remodel lings would be first to do whatever is possible to maintain the look and perhaps even try to reverse changes made to the front reading rooms to maintain the original library's historic past before it is all lost simply to make the spaces more modern. The second suggestion would be to contract with a qualified sound engineer to look at the existing noise issues, take noise level measurements and provide suggestions prior to any work being done. If architectural work is needed, or a supplier offers to provide renovations services to the library, the sound engineer should be contacted and ask to evaluate the proposed changes. While not all potential corrections would be affordable, and some may not work well with overall planning of the library space, some certainly can be addressed. Make it a priority in the remodeling or rearrangement plans to spend a small part of any budget to help correct sound issues. Books, mechanical issues, etc. of course must also be addressed, but patron issues -- like a noisy environment -- should also be addressed. A qualified and degreed sound engineer with appropriate sound level studies can recommend specific materials or material changes to help keep the library more quiet, sometimes at a very low expense. A simple thing like moving the book shelving from straight with the walls to an angle might reduce some of the sound, and cost virtually nothing, except for a little labor for the actual move. Differences in carpet materials, wall covering, and ceiling treatments can also reduce sound levels without adding a lot to the cost. Many of these changes could be phased in over time to further reduce the need to finance everything at once, but only add something at the time other work is performed.

Judd Lavender

It's really nice to just sit in the library and study or do homework for school also all the people who work there are really nice and if you're new don't worry it's actually quiet

Theodis Mims

Great library

Lydia Schlottke

Great library. Plenty of good books.

Dbags OH

Very inviting, relaxing, and quiet library. Kind and helpful staff. Great collection of books. Also plenty of computers if that’s your thing.

Jessica BonDurant

Great staff and awesome selection of materials! They provide such wonderful services and programs for the community. It isn't the old stuffy library of days passed. If you are looking for a place of total silence to work visit one of the university libraries or bring noise canceling headphones. This library is full of children who are excited to visit the library and interact with the amazing staff.

Katelyn Nels

Very nice and helpful.

Suzette Pope

Plenty of new books and materials. Civilized and elegant. Librarians are very helpful.

Mary Zellmer

Great staff, programs, and selection of books. A quiet place to read and learn.

Elisabeth Murphy

We love this library. The childrens’ staff always is so welcoming, helpful and kind!

Mike Pateras

Love this place!

Tyra Younger

Very hard to study, extremely loud, and the workers were talking about their personal lives loud. I thought libraries were suppose to be quite or at least have minimal noise. Not pleased at all!