OPL Fall Connect Newsletter

Connect Volume 18 • Issue 3 • Fall 2011

News from Omaha Public Library • OPL Foundation • Friends of OPL Page

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Director’s Note SRP Wrap-up

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Staff Picks Michael Phipps Gallery

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Author Visits KidSpot & TeenSpace

Back to School Resources Omaha Public Library has many great resources to help students excel in school! If you are a parent, grandparent, teacher or caregiver, take note of what the library has to offer.

Thanks to the support of the OPL Foundation and Building Bright Futures, OPL provides access to free tutoring for all ages in dozens of subjects. Tutor.com is accessed through OPL’s website with a library card and can be used any place that has an Internet connection. Live tutors who speak Spanish and English are available everyday from 2 p.m. to midnight. Using interactive technologies, tutors work oneon-one with students to help them find solutions. It’s a great way to get long-term assistance, or quick help with one tough problem.

Learning Express is another online resource filled with practice exams for all ages—providing an opportunity to take sample tests as many times as you like. There are math and reading tests for many different age groups and levels, and specialized tests in writing, grammar, science and more for high school students. There are also practice tests for those studying for the ACT, SAT, AP exams and dozens of others. It’s a great way to prepare and is especially helpful for those who suffer from exam anxiety.

OPL offers Homework Hotspots in library locations throughout the city, providing a great place for teens to gather after school to study, work on homework and relax. The library is a great space to work and access the best resources for your papers and projects.

Don’t forget the librarians! If a young person has an assignment and doesn’t know where to start, OPL has a team of professionals waiting to help—just ask!

Details about these services and more can be found on our website omahalibrary.org or by visiting any of our libraries.

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Friends of OPL OPL Foundation

From the Director Where did the summer go?

Every year the season seems to fly by faster. Summer 2011 was particularly busy. In between floods and the extreme heat, Omahaarea residents made time to visit our libraries in record numbers.

More than 23,000 kids, teens and adults participated in our Summer Reading Program—an incredible 36 percent increase over 2010 participants! OPL programs were packed and library staff worked diligently to keep everyone excited and engaged in the fun. We were pleased to expand our adult events, including such popular programs as Extreme Couponing and Art Trivia Nights. It’s easy to forget sometimes about the great things for all ages at the library!

As autumn creeps closer, we hope you will keep reading. It doesn’t get much better than curling up with a good book as the

nights start to turn cooler. In a crazy, hectic world it is hard to take time for the simple, quiet activity of reading, but it is well worth it when you do. Have you heard of the Slow Movement? It encourages people to slow down in a modern world, which too often moves at a frantic pace. The Slow Food Movement in particular arose in response to the fast food phenomenon by advocating home cooking, farming and gardening, and eating to enjoy the tastes and textures of food.

How about the Slow Reading Movement? Slow down and take your time reading a great book. Take time to savor each page and reflect on the ideas it creates. Think about what you read and discuss it with others. Join a book club and share the experience together. You’ll be glad you did!

If you aren’t sure what you’d like to read, we’ve got you covered!

Check out the new Custom Reading List service available on our website. Tell us a little about your likes and dislikes, and our expert staff will develop a list of books that we think you will enjoy. As always, the service is free, the books are free and the experience is priceless!

Gary Wasdin, Executive Director

Summer Reading Wrap-up If you have questions, we have answers and you can get them YOUR way. Expert OPL staff can be reached through the following ways: omahalibrary.org click the “Questions? Ask OPL” box Call 402.444.4800 Text 402.965.1275 Search Omaha Public Library @OmahaLibrary Visit any of our 12 locations

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Travel can be rewarding—as thousands of readers found out this summer taking part in OPL’s Summer Reading Program (SRP). Youth and adults had the opportunity to receive prizes for achieving different levels of reading. Youth received messenger bags which withstood “Out and About” storytimes, wild animal sightings and loads of books. Adults experienced food and beverage tastings, dance lessons and a scented tour around the globe through a perfume program.

In all, 23,812 people joined Omaha Public Library on our reading journey this summer, reading 319,687 books en route, surpassing 2010’s participants by 58,416. Sightseeing consisted of 565 programs attended by 22,000 people.

alee Rush First pitch winner Nat ary Night Storm Chasers Libr

Summer Reading Program programming would not be possible without support from the Omaha Public Library Foundation and its donors Blue Stem Prairie Foundation, First National Bank and Sokolof Foundation.

Special thanks to the sponsors who helped make the Summer Reading Program successful: Aeropostale; Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo & Stock Show; BounceU; City of Omaha Parks and Recreation; CoCo Key Water Resort; Dave and Buster’s; Dixie Quicks; Domino’s Pizza; Don & Millie’s; The Durham Museum; Fat Brain Toys; Film Streams; Finicky Frank’s; Friends of Omaha Public Library; Joslyn Art Museum; Lansky’s; Nebraska State Fair; Omaha Children’s Museum; Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo; Omaha Storm Chasers; Papio Fun Park; The Rose Theater; SkateDaze; Sonic®, America’s Drive-In®; That Pottery Place; Village Inn; and Zzzap! Laser Adventures.

Adrian A. En za Australia kicstiga holding a snake at k-off party at th Lake Zorinsk e y

Michael Phipps Gallery | W. Dale Clark Main Library | 215 S. 15th St. | 1st Floor

Gerard Pefung’s “My Biggest Fears” September 1-30

Recommended Reads

by Teresa Shane, Readers Advisory Specialist

Born in Cameroon, West Africa, Gerard Pefung grew up being exposed to the rich traditions and culture of Africa. Working mainly in painting and mixed media, Pefung begins with numerous sketches that serve as a way of understanding his subject. His show will feature examples of his own work, as well as a selection of art painted in the gallery during an exhibition by homeless children. Pefung is a mentor with The Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts. More information is available at gerardpefung.com.

Paintings, Artistic Woodturnings and Sculptures Suggest Stories October 1-22 Four Omaha artists will exhibit with an opening reception Friday, Oct. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Painter J.K. Thorsen will exhibit a personal mix of nouveau modern abstract and expressionist paintings. Artist and craftsman Doyle Howitt will display his classical and whimsical shapes in wood. Painter Kenneth Heimbuch will exhibit nonobjective work influenced by forces of nature. Sculptor Tom Sitzman’s work will be based on the tradition of the storyteller and the dreamer.

In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak

October 30-December 16

Popular children’s author Maurice Sendak experienced a typically American childhood in New York City that inspired many of his most beloved books, such as “Where the Wild Things Are” and “In the Night Kitchen.” Illustrations in those Final drawing for Where the Wild Things Are, © 1963 by Maurice Sendak, all rights reserved. works are populated with friends and family, and the sights, sounds and smells of New York in the 1930s. Sendak was also drawn to photos of ancestors and he developed a fascination with the shtetl world of European Jews.

This exhibit will reveal the push and pull of new and old worlds in Sendak’s work and will reveal how Sendak’s artistic journey has led him deeper into his own family’s history and his Jewish identity.

The exhibit will open with a special program on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m. featuring a dance with the “Wild Thing” costume character, storytellers, crafts and refreshments. Special programming throughout November and December will include presentations at the Joslyn Art Museum, a dance performance by UNO’s Moving Company, book discussions, and a presentation by UNO Professor Joan Latchaw.

The exhibition was organized by the Rosenbach Museum & Library, Philadelphia; and developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture and ideas; and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.

“1222” by Anne Holt A retired police inspector is called upon to investigate murders in an isolated, snowbound Norwegian hotel.

“A History of the World in 100 Objects”

by Neil MacGregor We are what we make.

“Duty Free”

by Moni Mohsin Firecracker prose and a snappy vixen leading lady set in Lahore, Pakistan.

“The Night Circus”

by Erin Morgenstern 19th century dueling magicians in love.

“All Cry Chaos”

by Leonard Rosen An international thriller with a mathematical puzzle at its core.

Get your own customized book list with recommended reads just for you!

Request your list online at omahalibrary.org and select Custom Reading List under the Catalog tab. Complete a short form to get a personalized reading list emailed to you from OPL.

On Sept. 1, OPL introduced new catalog search technology to make finding what the library has to offer easier and reveal content including media and eBooks, suggestions of recently added or popular items, faceted search results for easily modifying queries, and pathways to relevant websites and library databases. 3

Author Visits

Disney Digital

Judy Schachner

OPL has expanded its digital collection with the addition of Disney Digital eBooks at omahalibrary.org. This new collection features nearly 700 Disney Online eBooks. These titles are being added to the approximately 4,500 titles already included in OPL’s digital collection that is growing every week!

Books will be available for purchase & signing.

Tues | Sept 6 | 7 pm South Omaha Library Author and illustrator of the Skippyjon Jones books, Judy Schachner is warm and personal with a special regard for the less-than-stellar student.

Joy Johnson Fri | Sept 9 | Noon Millard Branch Bring your lunch and hear about the latest adventures of The BOOB (Burned Out Old Broads) Girls at Table 12 in “Sandhills and Shadows.”

Joan Klingel Ray Sat | Sept 10 | 2 pm

Disney Online Books are browser based and can be enjoyed on a Mac or Windows-based computer. Titles offer interactive features to enhance the user experience—such as a ‘magic pen’ that pronounces words with just one click, and the ability to look up word definitions. Users will recognize familiar characters like Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, the Disney princesses, Buzz Lightyear and more.

To check out Disney Digital eBooks, users need a valid library card and a computer with an

Caleb Philmon enjoying a “Cars” eBook

Internet connection. At the end of the loan period, titles automatically expire and are returned to the collection. There are unlimited copies of the Disney Digital eBook titles—so no waiting lists or holds are necessary. Also, titles checked out from this collection do not count against checkout limits. Titles are available in English and Spanish.

Millard Branch The author of “Jane Austen for Dummies” will speak on “Jane Austen for Smarties.”

Ellen Hopkins Tues | Sept 13 | 7 pm Millard Branch Ellen Hopkins, the author of “Burned,” “Identical,” “Crank” and “Impulse,” will introduce her new novel “Perfect.”

Hopkins is noted for her honest portrayals of how difficult growing up can be.

Jon Scieszka Tues | Sept 20 | 6:30 pm W. Dale Clark Main Library Award winning author of “The Stinky Cheese Man” and the “Time Warp Trio” series, Jon Scieszka writes books because he “love[s] to make kids laugh.” He will also talk about his literacy program for boys and men—Guys Read.

Miracle Rogers

Character Visit Enjoy stories and activities with this children’s book character.

Don’t forget your camera!

Sept 9 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . Willa Cather Sept 10 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . South Omaha Sept 13 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . Saddlebrook Sept 14 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . A.V. Sorensen Sept 15 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . B.J. Elkhorn Sept 16 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . W.C. Swanson Sept 17 10:30 am . . . . . . . C.B. Washington Sept 20 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Millard Sept 21 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Florence Sept 22 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benson Sept 23 10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . W. Dale Clark

Sat | Sept 24 | Noon W. Clarke Swanson Branch Meet local author Miracle Rogers and listen to a poetry reading from her books “As Does the Rose, Our Love Grows Also” and “Still the Storm Comes.”

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KidSpot

TeenSpace Teen Read Week Picture It @ Your Library… teens loving literature and celebrating the “written” word through images.

Teens can compete for prizes by creating and submitting an 8.5” x 11” poster featuring a quote that has personal significance or importance from their favorite book. Any method may be used, from computer generation to free hand. Font style, image portrayal related to the quote and overall effect will be considered. First ($100 gift card), second ($50 gift card) and third place ($25 gift card) prizes will be awarded. Entries are due to any Omaha Public Library location by close of business Monday, Oct. 24. Entries will be displayed on the OPL TeenSpace webpage and winners will be announced on the TeenSpace Facebook.

Teens can celebrate all year long with good reads from OPL. Ask your library staff for suggestions and share some with them, too!

Outstanding Volunteer “If you can put a smile on someone’s face, it makes all the time you spent worthwhile.” Shawn Ware spends a lot of time working for those smiles.

Since he began volunteering for the library in 2008, he has completed more than 1,350 hours of volunteer service at the Benson Branch. It’s hard to imagine accumulating that many hours, especially at just 14 years old. His hard work has earned the respect and admiration of Benson Branch staff. “Shawn is quick, personable and efficient,” said children’s librarian Lori Pitman. “He’s an exceptional volunteer.”

Shawn started volunteering at the age of 11 by helping to shelve books. Over time, he grew to love the staff and being able to help others, and he assumed more responsibility. During the summer, he works at the Summer Reading Program desk helping kids to log the books they read and collect their prizes.

A self-proclaimed computer geek, Shawn hopes to study computer and electrical engineering after graduating from Omaha North High School. He’s also an avid reader—typically having up to 20 books checked out at once.

OPL is grateful to Shawn for his generosity and contributions to Benson Branch. For more information about becoming an OPL volunteer contact Terry Wingate at 402.444.4835 or twingate@omahalibrary.org.

Staff Spotlight: Lyn Haley Lyn Haley is a part-time library aide at Charles B. Washington Branch. She has been working for OPL for 10 years and does a little bit of everything. From checking in books to setting up for lock-ins, she gets involved with all library services and community programs. Lyn first came to OPL as a patron, and when she was looking for a new job, she realized she needed some help with her computer skills. One of the librarians helped her update her resume and also encouraged her to apply for a position!

Over the years, Lyn has worked with a lot of great people and learned many things about the library that she never knew. Now she loves to share that knowledge with others. She works very closely with the PRIME TIME FAMILY READING® program to coordinate food, books and schedules for the participating families. She believes that this program reminds busy parents to take time out to bond with their kids and teach them the importance of reading. Lyn also started two book clubs at Washington Branch—Diva Sistaz and Lil’ Divas.

PRIME TIME FAMILY READING® Families who enjoy reading together are invited to Charles B. Washington Branch and South Omaha Library this fall! PRIME TIME FAMILY READING® is a sixweek shared reading experience to help families discover great stories together. Each week, a storyteller will read aloud and discuss books.

Nutritious meals will be served at each session. With prior notice, free transportation to and from the library will be available to those who need it. There is no charge for any PRIME TIME activities. Families with children ages 6-10 are encouraged to register. Activities will be provided for younger siblings.

PRIME TIME is sponsored by Nebraska Humanities Council with funding from the State of Nebraska, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Sherwood Foundation, Carol Gendler and Friends of Omaha Public Library.

South Omaha Library 2808 Q St. | 402.444.4850 Mondays, Oct. 3-Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m.

Charles B. Washington Branch 2868 Ames Ave. | 402.444.4849 Saturdays, Oct. 15-Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-Noon Families should contact the branch or register online at omahalibrary.org.

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Be a FRIEND! Libraries cannot be built or maintained by today’s tax dollars alone.

To ensure the continued excellence and growth of Omaha Public Library, become a Friend today!

Please complete the form below and mail it back to: FRIENDS of Omaha Public Library PO Box 6032 Omaha, NE 68106 Please fill in the following information, indicate your membership level and return it with your membership fee for the 2011 calendar year.

Contact me about volunteering opportunities Contact me about board of directors

Great Books for Great Kids!

Tuesday | Sept 27

here: _______________________

Questions? Email us at omahalibraryfriends@gmail.com

Book Sales Thursday book sales have been a tremendous success for the Friends of Omaha Public Library. The weekly sales have attracted individuals who prefer to shop at their own pace and enjoy the convenience of the daytime hours. As a result, the Friends have decided to discontinue quarterly sales following the Sept. 8-11 sale.

Join us at W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., for our FINAL quarterly sale!

Thursday, Sept 8, 6–8:30 pm - Members only Friday, Sept 9, 10 am–8 pm Saturday, Sept 10, 10 am–6 pm Sunday, Sept 11, Noon–5 pm Future book sale dates: Weekly Sales Thursdays, 10 am - 3 pm Weekend Sales Oct 1 & 2 and Dec 3 & 4 Saturday, 10 am–8 pm & Sunday, Noon–5 pm For more information about FOPL, including how to become a member or volunteer, visit friendsomahalibrary.org.

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All Omaha Runza Locations Mark your calendar for the 9th annual “Great Books for Great Kids” fundraiser! Runza® sales all day to help purchase books for kids. Last year Runza gave more than $5,000 to OPL.

Silk & Sawdust

(the heart & mechanics of literature)

October 13-15 W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St. & KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. Lit Fest parties, readings, discussions and literary-themed art exhibits provide an opportunity for readers and writers to meet and mingle, gain insight into the writing process, and learn about new books. Additional events will follow throughout October.

The opening party will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. at W. Dale Clark Main Library.

For more information about the full schedule of events for Lit Fest 2011, visit omahalitfest.com.

Adaptive Technology Gifts in All Sizes The Omaha Public Library Foundation exists only to transform Omaha Public Library into a premier community resource through private contributions. The Foundation would be unable to accomplish this mission if not for the generosity Katie Kiper, Finance Director OPLF of our donors. Over the past few years, donors have made it possible for OPL to buy laptops, purchase books, help library branches to purchase much needed supplies and fund programs such as the Summer Reading Program.

Who are these donors that make all of this possible? They are people just like you! One is a local high school student who donated money he had saved to help the library he loved. Another is an older gentleman who gives in appreciation of OPL’s Homebound Service program, which delivers books to his home because he is unable to physically travel to the library himself. One Omaha family asked for memorial donations to Omaha Public Library Foundation in remembrance of their wife and mother, who loved reading and the library. A mother gives every year in remembrance of her daughter—a young local teacher who loved reading. Our entire community rallied a couple years ago to save a library branch from closing.

Donors come in all ages and gifts in all sizes. A young school girl gives a gift in honor of her friend for their Christmas exchange. Some donors even donate the change they get back from payments on their late fees. The Foundation receives donations from $5 all the way up to the Sustaining Patrons that give a $1,000 or more a year. The Omaha Public Library Foundation appreciates every donor and gift and recognizes that this support makes a difference in the lives of those who use OPL. For all of these reasons, our donors are our heroes! Please consider making a gift to support the Omaha Public Library Foundation. Help to enrich our community by providing unlimited opportunities for information, education, inspiration and imagination. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do for Omaha Public Library patrons through the Omaha Public Library Foundation!

Special thanks to everyone who participated in the Chipotle fundraiser on July 27. Your support resulted in a donation of $1,163.35 to the Omaha Public Library Foundation!

Financial Gifts Gifts received between May 19-July 31, 2011.

Thank you to all our donors! Your support makes a difference. Only honorarium and memorial gifts are listed. All other donors will be listed in the Omaha Public Library Foundation’s annual report.

In Memory of Anne B. Fallon Jeanette Capps

In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Krawczyk Marcy Cotton

In Memory of Mary A. Hackman Omaha Women’s Chamber of Commerce

In Memory of Alice Station Mary Kaiman

In Memory of Dorothy G. Haller John & Anne Hall Steven & Deborah Hinrichs John & Amy Kampfe Elizabeth Orrick Mark & Elizabeth Rupp Denise Stange

In Memory of Joyce Wasdin Carol Ebdon Sarah M. English Maggie Tarelli- Falcon Marshall & Barbara Kushner Lucy Lewis Phil & Nancy Wolf

In Memory of Bill Kloefkorn Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh

Omaha Public Library Foundation donors have made it possible for OPL to purchase adaptive technologies that will help hearing and vision impaired customers. The following hardware and software was purchased to ensure that all locations are equipped to provide a basic level of service to individuals with these disabilities.

JAWS ® Screen Reading Software and MAGic ® Screen Magnification Software with 22” monitors.

Personal computers with JAWS® and Zoom Text Magnifier, which enlarges and enhances everything on the computer screen, making all applications easy to see and use.

Flatbed scanners and Kurzweil 1000 software, which speaks text aloud in a variety of natural-sounding voices that can be modified to suit individual preferences.

SARA™ CE (Scanning And Reading Appliance Camera Edition), the nextgeneration self-contained scanning and reading appliance for the blind and those with low vision.

TOPAZ® Desktop Video Magnifier has three easy dials for basic video magnification functions – increase and decrease magnification, step through the available color modes, and adjust brightness.

RUBY® Handheld video screen makes it outstanding for reading bills, letters, checks and receipts.

TTY phones allow customers who are deaf or hard of hearing to make phone calls through text.

Information about these technologies and the OPL locations where they can be found is available at omahalibrary.org.

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HOURS & LOCATIONS W. DALE CLARK MAIN LIBRARY

215 S. 15th St. / 402.444.4800 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 6 PM

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage

215 S. 15th St. Omaha, NE 68102

PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818

MILTON R. ABRAHAMS BRANCH

5111 N. 90th St. / 402.444.6284 ______________________________________ CLOSED FOR RENOVATION AUG. 1 - DEC. 2011

BENSON BRANCH

6015 Binney St. / 402.444.4846 ______________________________________ _______ TU & WE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM TH, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU & MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

BESS JOHNSON ELKHORN BRANCH

2100 Reading Plz. / 402.289.4367 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU & TH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM WE, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

FLORENCE BRANCH

2920 Bondesson St. / 402.444.5299 ______________________________________ _______ TU & WE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM TH, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU & MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

MILLARD BRANCH

13214 Westwood Ln. / 402.444.4848 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU & WE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM TH, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 6 PM

SADDLEBROOK BRANCH

14850 Laurel Ave. / 402.884.7473 ______________________________________ _______ MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM FR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 5 PM SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 AM - 4 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Noon - 6 PM

A.V. SORENSEN BRANCH

4808 Cass St. / 402.444.5274 ______________________________________ TU & TH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM WE, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU & MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

tional September is Nnath. Books, o Library Card Ms & more — music, movie OPL! get carded at

SOUTH OMAHA LIBRARY

2808 Q St. / 402.444.4850 (call for hours during MCC quarter breaks) ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . 7:30 AM - 9 PM FR, SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

W. CLARKE SWANSON BRANCH

9101 W. Dodge Rd. / 402.444.4852 ______________________________________ _________ MO, TH, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM TU & WE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Noon - 6 PM

CHARLES B. WASHINGTON BRANCH

2868 Ames Ave. / 402.444.4849 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU & WE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM TH, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

WILLA CATHER BRANCH

1905 S. 44th St. / 402.444.4851 ______________________________________ _______ TU & TH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 8 PM WE, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU & MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED 24-hour renewal of materials: 402.444.4100 or omahalibrary.org TTY machine: 402.444.3825

Hours subject to change.

Featured Resource Making a major purchase can be stressful.

Many people spend hours researching products to ensure they are making a wise investment. A valuable and trusted tool for information and advice on consumer products is Consumer Reports. This online resource is available to you free with your OPL library card. Go to omahalibrary.org, select Resource Center and then Consumer Information from the Category box.

ConsumerReports.org provides ratings on products from cars to computers—helping consumers to make informed and confident decisions about pending purchases. In addition, there are hundreds of investigative articles, recalls and safety tips, and unbiased reports that are organized in a way that is easy to search. Remember to consult this valuable resource before you shop!

Celebrate Your Freedom to Read

Sept. 25-Oct. 2

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.

Highlighting the benefits of free and open access to information, the week draws attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted banning of books across the United States.

To learn more about Banned Books Week, visit ala.org/bbooks

Blood Drive

Every 4th Monday | Millard Branch| 13214 Westwood Ln. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and of the less than 38 percent of eligible blood donors, only eight percent of the population gives blood. Join us on every fourth Monday of the month in 2011, 1-6:15 p.m., and give a gift that saves lives. To schedule your donation appointment, register online at redcrossblood.org (use sponsor code 2578) or call the American Red Cross at 1.800.733.2767.