Washington-Centerville Public Library

Local Librarians Create Digital Escape Room

April 9, 2020 By Dayton Most Metro

Adult Services Librarians Lauren and Felicia at the Washington-Centerville Public Library
came up with a clever way to break up stay-at-home boredom. Try this spy-themed digital “escape room”! Solve tricky puzzles and “visit” beautiful locations all around the world, while taking a mental break from your home.

This escape room can be done as a group or by yourself and you can replay and/or share it as many times as you like! The clues are pretty difficult, so it is probably the most fun for groups with teens and adults. We recommend that you time yourself and see how fast you can solve all the puzzles.

Are you ready for the adventure? Start your timers and click here to begin!

$35,000 Budgeted For Artist Proposals

May 14, 2017 By Lisa Grigsby

Washington-Centerville Public Library RFP for Artwork Woodbourne Library Renovation & Expansion Project:

Art Speaks Volumes

Open To: Artists with ties to the Greater Miami Valley

Commission Amount: $35,000 is budgeted for artwork at Woodbourne Library Entry Open Date: May 15, 2017

Entry Deadline: July 7, 2017

Commissions Announced: August 1, 2017

Projection Completion: June 1, 2018

Project Summary: Washington-Centerville Public Library seeks to commission site-specific pieces of artwork for four spaces within the renovated and expanded Woodbourne Library slated to reopen in the Summer of 2018.

Artists are invited to propose newly created artworks, of any medium, that reflect the communities of Centerville/Washington Township and the Modernist tradition of the building. Artists may propose more than one work if they so choose. Proposed artworks should resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds and contribute to the inviting, engaging and stimulating library environment. The committee welcomes, but does not require, submissions that relate to the Washington-Centerville Public Library’s mission to be the community’s connection to diverse opportunities for education, enrichment and entertainment.

From the submissions, a committee of local citizens and Library Trustees will select the winning artists. Winning artists will meet with Library staff, architects and construction representatives to confirm plans for the commission and will be required to sign a Letter of Agreement by September 2017 and complete the work by June 2018.

Centerville/Washington Township Community Background: Centerville/Washington Township is a well-educated suburban community of approximately 53,000 people. Known for its strong school district, parks and library system, it is an attractive community for families with children.

Centerville has the largest collection of early stone houses in the state of Ohio. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown Centerville, also known as “The Heart of Centerville”, is an Architectural Preservation District that reflects the “Main Street” downtown era that shaped American towns and cities in the early 1900s. Many of the downtown buildings were built prior to World War I and represent diverse architectural styles rich in craftsmanship and detail.

Woodbourne Library Background: Woodbourne Library is an elegant, metal-frame building with perimeter posts supporting a roof overhang that shades set-back glass walls. Originally constructed in 1965 as a bank branch, the building is considered one of the most significant and beautiful Mid-Century Modernist buildings in Southwest Ohio.

The building was designed by Woodford (Woodie) Garber, one of Cincinnati’s most original Modernist architects. Garber designed some of the region’s most innovative buildings but over time his buildings have suffered considerably from neglect and demolition. The Woodbourne Library is now one of his rare buildings that survives intact and in good condition, despite its change in function over time.

Beginning in 2015, the Woodbourne Library began a transformation to take three separate parcels of land, owned by the Library, and make a unified campus that will serve more than 70,000 library cardholders. As part of this master plan, more parking and green spaces will be added; the existing Library will be completely renovated; and a 10,000 sq. foot expansion will be added. When finished, the Library will be approximately 30,000 sq. feet and have active and quiet zones that meet the needs of all library users. New amenities will include conference/meeting spaces in a variety of sizes, larger spaces for teens and children’s collections, and a creativity space.

Practical Considerations: The artwork must be durable, safe and easy to maintain. Potential locations for artwork include vaulted ceiling space near front entrance, a wall outside the Children’s Room, a ‘nook’ in the central marketplace and a wall in a quiet reading area. Some locations for artwork will be accessible to Library patrons. Renderings from LWC Architects can be found at the end of this RFP that illustrate these potential locations with their dimensions. Architectural plans are still subject to revision.

Submissions: Proposals will only be accepted electronically, in the form of a single pdf of no more than 10 pages and no more than 10 MB. Proposals for each art submission must include the following and be organized in the order below:

1. A sketch and narrative explanation of the proposed artwork

2. An explanation of the relationship between the proposed art and the community/building

3. Size range and suggested location for each proposed artwork

4. Four- six images of completed artwork, preferably of similar scale and material

5. Budget range for each proposed artwork

6. Brief artist CV or bio (1 page maximum)

Proposals and questions should be emailed to: [email protected]

Additional Information: The Library will hold a pre-proposal meeting for artists on June 6th, 4 PM at Centerville Library, 111 West Spring Valley Road, Centerville OH. LWC architects and Library representatives will be on hand with building plans and to answer questions.

$500 Prize for ERMA BOMBECK Writing Competition

January 19, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Writers around the world are encouraged to capture the spirit of famed Dayton writer Erma Bombeck by submitting an online entry in the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition, sponsored by Washington-Centerville Public Library in conjunction with the University of Dayton. The contest runs through 8 am (EST), Monday, Feb. 15.

The competition, held every two years, pays tribute to hometown writer Erma Bombeck, one of the greatest humorists of the 20th century and arguably the University of Dayton’s most famous graduate.

Entries should be 450 words or fewer. Essays submitted may not have been previously published (either print or online).

One Dayton, Ohio-area winner and one global winner will be awarded a $500 prize in each of two categories — humor and human interest — for a total of four prizes. These winners also will receive a free registration ($425 value) to the sold-out March 31-April 2 Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton.

One entry per person will be accepted. All winning essays will be published on the library’s website, as well as in the Dayton Daily News and in the workshop’s printed program. Those receiving honorable mentions will receive certificates.

The entries will be blind judged by a panel of authors, syndicated columnists and experienced writers. Winners will be announced in mid-March with a celebration event set for 7 pm, Wednesday, March 30, at the Centerville Library featuring Gina Barreca, author, humorist, syndicated columnist and professor of English literature and feminist theory at the University of Connecticut. The awards ceremony is free and open to the public.

“Although it may have seemed effortless, Erma worked very hard as a writer,” said Debe Dockins, Erma Bombeck Writing Competition coordinator. “She practiced every day, and she just got better and better. She stuck to her tried-and-true formula: ‘Hook ‘em with the lead, hold ‘em with laughter. Exit with a quip they won’t forget!’ And that’s exactly the essence we ask entrants to the Erma Bombeck Writing competition to capture in their essays.”

In 2014, 853 writers from 48 states and 13 countries entered the contest, spilling out roughly 382,500 words. Nancy Cartwright — the voice of Bart Simpson — and a slate of accomplished writers from around the country and Canada judged the entries.

Previous contest winners are encouraged to apply. The contest is not open to children under 13, Washington-Centerville Public Library employees and board members, contest judges and their families, and Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop faculty and speakers for the current year.

For complete writing competition guidelines, an online entry form or more information, visit www.wclibrary.info/erma/index.asp. Information about the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop can be found at www.humorwriters.org.