Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Dayton Library Director Lisa Bryant stands in the Dayton Library recently. She says the facility averages six new patrons a day.
The new director of the Lyon County Library in Dayton has arrived at an exciting time for the burgeoning town and the library.
"Expanding is inevitable. With the community growing, we're going to have to expand this library," said Lisa Bryant, who took charge of the library May 25.
"We average six new patrons a day."
Bryant, who was director of the Round Mountain library for four years, was already familiar with Dayton and happy to relocate with her family: husband, Joseph, a machinist; and twin sons Donovan and Ramsey, 10.
"I knew most of the people I'd be working with and already liked the Dayton area," she said.
"We like small towns. Dayton's green belt with the mountains close and Tahoe close, it's really a pleasant place.
"I enjoy it a lot. It's a big change for the whole family but a real positive one."
Bryant's interest in libraries began early.
"As a child, I was interested in history and archaeology," she said.
She earned a bachelor's degree in history with a special emphasis in archiving from the University of California, Sacramento. She also studied French and Renaissance history in France.
Before coming to Dayton, she worked a dozen or so years in all aspects of libraries, archiving and history.
Although any big expansion in the Dayton library will have to wait for funding, Bryant is planning improvements from the inside out. She hopes to expand its collection with more classic and comic literature, plus audio-video, particularly series from PBS and BBC that are hard to find in video stores, she said.
She plans to apply for grants to get a full audio-visual system for the library, which is a place ideal for groups, elections and special programs due to its central location.
"We could televise county commission meetings from here," she said. "It would be real-time video so there's more possibility of (Dayton residents) participating in the meetings without having to drive to Yerington."
Bryant also sees the library as a key component for the statewide "Third Grade Initiative," designed to teach third graders, not only to read, but to keep them reading. Other after-school programs are in the works.
Bryant said she is excited to be in Dayton working in a place she loves and has a vision for.
"All libraries have great potential," she said. "I see how I can make a positive change."
Sally Taylor is night editor and Dayton reporter for the Nevada Appeal. Contact her at staylor@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1210.
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