Category: News

10 Hidden Gems in the Dunbar Library

In addition to providing scholarly resources, research assistance, and instruction, the University Libraries brings you hidden gems throughout the Dunbar Library building.

Checkout scientific calculators, anatomy models, bone boxes, molecular models, and other learning tools at the 1st floor circulation desk.

Enjoy boards games with friends or cooperative learning space with classmates in the 1st floor group study room.

Find portable mini-whiteboards, hammocks and camp chairs, tripods, cameras, go-pros, phone chargers, and more at the 1st floor circulation desk.

Reserve a group study room for collaboration with classmates or a STAC studio for multimedia projects.

Use our computers and printers throughout the 2nd floor of the library while enjoying scenic views of campus.

Find the books you need while enjoying spacious study areas on the 3rd floor.

Borrow a family pass to the Dayton Art Institute at our 1st floor circulation desk.

Go to the 4th floor to visit Special Collections and Archives, home of the world-renowned Wright Brothers collection, the University Archives, and more.

Reserve a quiet study space to concentrate on your studies and projects.

Enjoy group study areas and a stunning view of the 1903 Wright Flyer replica suspended in the open atrium.

Summer Reading Recommendations

Image of books on bench at beach

The Book Club recently met at Eudora Brewing Company for a casual conversation about books they’re reading and to share recommendations with others. If you’re looking for a summer read and were not able to make it to the discussion, below are a few of the titles mentioned by fellow clubbers. We’ve linked them to our catalog or the SearchOhio catalog to make it easy for you to request them.

Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan

When Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill

The Very Secret Society of  Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna

The Swiss Nurse, by Mario Escobar

The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder, by David Grann

The Sky Club, by Terry Roberts

Ma and Me, by Putsata Reang

Tastes Like War, by Grace M. Cho

Trust, by Hernan Diaz

Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

The Motion Picture Teller, by Colin Cotterill

Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng

We’re also happy to share that registration is now available for our 2023-2024 Book Club discussions. Registration is not required but is encouraged. We’ll kick-off the year on September 21, 2023 with The Summers, by Ronya Othman, translated by Gary Schmidt (translator Dr. Gary Schmidt, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will be attending). 

More information about our 2023-2024 book discussions can be found at Library News. The Book Club is sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries, the WSU Alumni Association, and the WSU Retirees Association.

We hope you enjoy your summer and happy reading!

In Memoriam, Edward J. Trentman

The University Libraries mourns the loss of our long-time friend and colleague, Edward J. Trentman. Ed began working for the Libraries in May, 1997. Ed dedicated over 25 years working at the Circulation Desk, where he was known for his unwavering support of students. He made a positive impact on everyone he interacted with. Ed helped countless students feel welcomed in the library, and went the extra mile to answer their questions. He spent years working the late shifts, including regularly volunteering to cover extended hours to keep the building open until 2 a.m. in the lead up to exams. 

Ed was known, in particular, for his compassion and support for the Libraries’ student workers. As a former student worker himself, he shared his own experiences with students, made sure they were doing well in their classes, and was even known to buy them grilled cheese sandwiches during their shifts.

He had a vast knowledge of the library and excelled in customer service. He had a reassuring presence, that was both no-nonsense, and kind. He had a way of making people feel seen. The library won’t be the same without him.

Even in death, Ed’s generosity and care were demonstrated by his enrollment in the Boonshoft School of Medicine’s Anatomical Gift Program. Contributions in Ed’s memory can be made to the ALS Association.

Ed is survived by his wife Eileen, sons Alex (Jenny) and Nick (Jenn), grandsons Chris and Noah, brother Daniel and sister Marianne. Ed loved his family and his dog, Riley. He lit up when he talked about them.

Rest in Peace, Ed. You will be missed.

In memory of Ed – at the circulation desk.

The Genius of the Wright Brothers and Construction of the 1903 Flyer

Image of 1903 Flyer Replica in Library
1903 Wright Flyer Replica in Dunbar Library

Thursday, June 15, 2023

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Room 441 Dunbar Library

Register Now

Join us as Dr. Rubin Battino shares a brief history of powered flight including a discussion of the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer, the first machine to achieve controlled powered flight. He also will recount personal histories of the Wright brothers and their families.

Battino, an emeritus professor of chemistry, will present material showing how scientific the Wrights were in their approach to flying, even fabricating wind tunnels and other aerodynamic testing apparatus in their bicycle shop. He also will share what he learned by helping to construct the full-size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer that now hangs in the atrium of the Dunbar Library.

Battino served on the faculty at Wright State from 1966 to 1995. He has given presentations on the Wright brothers and their mechanic, Charlie Taylor, in the United States and abroad. He was named “Speaker of the Year” by the Royal New Zealand Aeronautical Society and was a special speaker at Farnham in England.

The talk is cosponsored by the Wright State University Retirees Association and the Friends of the Libraries. The presentation is free and open to the public. Registration is required and must be completed by Monday, June 12.