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Dayton Art Institute closes library to the public; plans change in weekend hours for fall
DAYTON — It’s a sign of the times. The Dayton Art Institute continues to make adjustments as a result of continuing economic pressures.
The Lott Memorial Library, previously open to the public by appointment, is now closed to outsiders, effective July 1. Established in 1922, the library holds a large collection related to the visual arts and architecture.
“There seems to be an impression that we might be selling the library, but that is not the case,” said DAI director Jan Driesbach on Tuesday, July 7. “We will be looking to develop a long-term plan to address the library.”
Museum docents, who regularly meet on Mondays, will now be meeting on Tuesdays. Because the museum is now closed on Mondays to the public, Driesbach said it will make it easier to have the classes when the museum is open and that there will be a “slight savings” in terms of keeping the lights off. “It is also a security guard and safety issue,” she said.
Other recent announcements: • As of Sept. 1, weekend hours at the museum will be noon to 5 p.m. instead 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Driesbach said that change is designed to accommodate visitors. “That will realize slight savings, but the true motivation is the traffic in the museum: we’re finding we don’t have people especially on Sundays before noon, and on weekends people do come in at 3 or 3:30 p.m. and are surprised that the museum isn’t going to be open longer.”
•The DAI’s most recent staff cutbacks, she said, involved three full time and two part time positions. They included visitor services/volunteer manager, web site manager and a development assistant. The part-time jobs included the museum librarian and an art handler. “We will be working with both volunteers and remaining staff to cover responsibilities as much as possible,” said Driesbach.
Driesbach said the various changes are a result of the continuing impact of the economy “on both our endowment and fund raising” and also “our commitment to assuring that we are fiscally responsible and positioning the museum for a strong future.”
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