Fall Connect Newsletter by Omaha Public Library

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

Volume 27 • Issue 3 • Fall 2020

2020 Omaha Reads

“After the Flood” by Kassandra Montag Join us in reading this year’s Omaha Reads selection, “After the Flood,” by Nebraska author Kassandra Montag. Each year, OPL encourages the community to vote for and read one book as a way to promote literacy and inspire discussion among Omaha and Douglas County residents. The selection is celebrated with book talks and other related programming. “We live in a community of readers who appreciate and want to celebrate local authors,” said OPL Executive Director Laura Marlane. “We share in that enthusiasm and look forward to generating more discussion around ‘After the Flood.’” “After the Flood” is a debut novel imagining a future in which flood waters have progressively destroyed America as we know it, leaving only mountaintop communities surrounded by water. Myra and her 7-year-old daughter Pearl have learned to survive, mostly by remaining fiercely independent, free from untrustworthy relationships. When Myra learns that her other daughter may still be alive, she will stop at nothing to find her. Get involved by checking out the book, participating in a program, and discussing the book with friends, family and neighbors.

Book Discussions

Join OPL online for a virtual discussion about the book. Registration required

Tues | Sept 15 | Noon Thurs | Sept 24 | 6:30 pm

Kassandra Montag photo © Nancy Kohler

Virtual Author Visit

Join OPL online for a moderated discussion and Q&A with Kassandra Montag. Learn more about the author at kassandramontag.com. Registration required

Tues | Sept 29 | 7 pm Find more information about programs and registration at omahalibrary.org/omaha-reads.

Previous Omaha Reads Selections

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

This Blessed Earth by Ted Genoways

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Bones of Paradise by Jonis Agee

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Banned Books Week September 27 – October 3 Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those that may be considered unorthodox or unpopular. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. There are many ways to get involved in Banned Books Week. Visit ala.org/bbooks for ideas about how to exercise your freedom to read! The top 10 most-challenged books of 2019

Director’s Note Fall is typically a time for fresh starts: New seasons in weather, sports and more; and for many, excitement for the first day of school. While school is starting, there’s really nothing normal about this year. The effects of life in a pandemic continue to color our days, and will for the foreseeable future. It’s uncertain what going back to school will look like for everyone, but one thing you can count on is Omaha Public Library. Your library card grants access to a wealth of learning resources to help with schoolwork and find great reads at the same time. For example, an online database called “LearningExpress” offers skill-building resources for any stage of education. Elementary, middle and high school students can find practice tests and assignments in a variety of subjects. Students looking ahead to college can find practice exams for the ACT, SAT and GRE. If you’re looking for a new job, LearningExpress also offers practice tests for occupational exams like the CDL test, civil service exams, and many more. Are you looking to learn a new language, or brush up on your conversational skills? Another great resource, Mango Languages, offers online education in over 70 different world languages. There are also some amazing apps for your mobile device that make access to OPL’s collections fast, easy and available 24/7! The MyOPL app allows you to access OPL’s online catalog; read patron reviews; place items on hold and select a convenient pick-up location; or create a bookshelf of the titles you want to read in the future. The Libby by OverDrive app is the gateway to OPL’s eBooks and downloadable audio titles. Browse all titles in the collection, or just the items that are currently available. Narrow your search by genre to help find your next favorite read! The Flipster app gives access to dozens of popular magazines. Explore the world with National Geographic, stay up to date on current affairs with Newsweek, or try out some new recipes with Food Network Magazine. Whatever this new season holds and whatever your circumstance may be, OPL is sure to have something for you!

Laura Marlane Executive Director

Summer Reading Program This year’s Summer Reading Program (SRP) looked a little different than usual at OPL. The SRP theme was “Imagine Your Story,” and with libraries closed all summer, a healthy dose of imagination was certainly helpful, as SRP took place largely online. As always, all ages were invited to read or listen to a book for 10 hours between June 1 and July 31 to be eligible for prizes. Kids, teens and adults who completed their summer reading goals claimed their rewards at OPL curbside pick-up locations.

A young patron watches online storytime from home.

The hundreds of free, educational and entertaining programs that typically take place at OPL branches and out and about in the community each summer Ms. Berry records Out & About Storytime at Lauritzen Gardens. were presented virtually this year through pre-recorded presentations, live stream, or Zoom. OPL welcomed many familiar friends like scientist Dr. Oxygen, Jeff Quinn the magician, educators from Papio NRD and Wildlife Encounters, and more. Of course, there were plenty of live storytimes with children’s librarians from OPL, too. Overall, 8,641 people participated in SRP, logging 103,012 hours of reading this summer! Thank you to SRP presenting sponsor, the Richard Brooke After completing SRP goals, patrons pick up Foundation, and many other generous sponsors who helped prizes using curbside service. make the program possible. OPL is beyond grateful for their commitment to summer reading success in our community, no matter the circumstances.

Curbside Pick-up On May 5, 2020, OPL began offering curbside hold pick-ups for patrons who wanted to check out print items through the library. Up to that point, patrons only had access to online resources, eBooks and downloadable audiobooks, since the library closed on March 16, 2020, to help slow the spread of This Elkhorn Branch family turns picking up books into an outdoor summer activity. COVID-19. Between May 5 and July 31, OPL was able to fulfill material holds for more than 22,740 patrons, circulating 119,000 physical items, including books, audiobooks, Playaways, DVDs, seeds and more. Five branch locations throughout the city served as sites from which patrons could schedule times to pick-up the items they placed on hold through their online account or by calling the library: Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, Charles B. Washington Branch, Millard Branch, Milton R. Abrahams Branch, and Willa Cather Branch. On May 19, these locations (and W. Dale Clark Main Library) also began accepting material returns in book drops during curbside hours. More than 117,700 borrowed items had been returned to OPL through July 31. Learn more about curbside pick-up and book returns at omahalibrary.org.

New Board Officers Elected During their June 18, 2020, board meeting, the OPL Board of Trustees elected a new slate of officers. Officers hold their position for one year beginning on July 1, 2020. President: Mike Kennedy, attorney at Kennedy Law Vice President: Keegan Korf, smart cities coordinator at Omaha by Design Secretary/Treasurer: Jen Rae Wang, head of government and regulatory affairs at Cox Communications

Mike Kennedy

Outgoing president Carol Wang, executive director of the Metro Omaha Medical Society, served six years on the board. Her vacancy was filled by newly appointed board member Kristin Williams, director of community initiatives at The Sherwood Foundation. Additional OPL board members include: Michael Alley, principal at Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture; John R. Barrett, director of government affairs at Great Plains Communications; Keith Lutz, former superintendent of Millard Public Schools (retired); Adrian Suarez-Delgado, Subway business franchisee; and Jesse Sullivan, senior director of accounting policy at First National Bank of Omaha. OPL is governed by a nine-member board of trustees, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council to serve a three-year term. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 5 pm at different library locations unless otherwise noted.

Keegan Korf

Jen Rae Wang

October is Family History Month Since 2001, October has been nationally recognized as Family History Month. This is a time to increase awareness around and encourage people to explore their family history and learn more about their ancestors. A number of resources are available to help researchers at all levels, many of which are easily accessible with your library card. Get started by visiting omahalibrary.org/genealogy-local-history. Find online research tools, recommended reading, and even local community resources that may be helpful in constructing your family tree. Find birth, marriage, and death records, as well as military records and more from Ancestry Library Edition, the largest general collection of genealogical information, now available to use from home until September 30, 2020. In recognition of Family History Month, OPL has planned free, online programs to help you learn more about your past. Registration is required. Sign up at omahalibrary.org or by calling 402.444.4826. Finding Treasure in the Periodical Source Index (PERSI): Virtual Program Thurs | Oct 1 | 6 pm

Virtual Author Visit: Libby Copeland Sun | Oct 11 | 3 pm

Online Live Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Sun | Oct 18 | 3 pm

Recommended Reads for Fall The Man Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard by John Birdsall Birdsall explores both the personal and professional life of American cooking icon James Beard. The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans Evans zooms in on particular moments and relationships in her characters’ lives in a way that allows them to speak to larger issues of race, culture and history. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig This is a dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of “Reasons to Stay Alive” and “How to Stop Time.” His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie This is an intelligent and funny debut about a relatable, indomitable heroine: a young seamstress in Ghana who agrees to an arranged marriage, only to realize that some compromises are too extreme to accept, illuminating what it means to be a woman in a rapidly-changing world. The Writer’s Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager Celebrity librarian Nancy Pearl and playwright Jeff Schwager interview authors such as Susan Choi, Louise Erdrich, Jonathan Lethem, Donna Tartt and Luis Alberto Urrea about the important books in their lives. Request your own customized book list at omahalibrary.org and select Custom Reading List under the Services tab. 3

babY reaDs

BACK TO

L O O H C S

a kit for parents

Access these and other free resources using your Omaha Public Library card! Visit omahalibrary.org and click on Resource Center. Full-text versions of popular magazine articles, encyclopedia entries, and other resources available to browse by topic area or keyword search. Read-along stories, puzzles and games, and language learning for kids.

Online practice exams various academic/professional tests including SAT, ACT, GED, GRE, GMAT, ASVAB, Civil Service and more.

Fiction and nonfiction reading recommendations matching readers’ interests to reading level for grades K-8. Prepares learners for realistic conversations and strengthens everyday communication skills in over 70 world languages, including English.

A full-text database providing popular children’s magazines, easy-to-read encyclopedic entries and a vast image collection.

OPL wants to help you provide opportunities for your child to learn, grow and thrive. With support from the Omaha Public Library Foundation and Friends of Omaha Public Library, OPL has assembled materials and tips to help set your baby on the path to developing early literacy skills. Check out a Baby Reads kit to get started and make reading a fun and natural part of your child’s development. The more sounds, words and ideas your baby is exposed to, the better prepared they will be for the wonderful future ahead. As soon as your baby is born, ask about a Baby Reads library card application. If your newborn gets a library card before his/her first birthday, any outstanding fines you have will be erased. Offer is good for first-time baby cardholders. Your baby will also receive a book to keep and you can continue to check books out into the future to read together. Let the library be a partner in supporting your child’s journey of lifelong learning.

Pete the Cat

TeenTober is a nationwide celebration hosted by libraries every October which aims to celebrate teens, promote year-round teen services and the innovative ways teen services helps teens learn new skills, and fuel their passions in and outside the library. Explore omahalibrary.org/teens to discover many of the everyday resources available for teens and then join us for one of the following virtual programs. Virtual Dungeons and Dragons Club Sat | Oct 10 | 2-4 pm

City of Ghosts Virtual Escape Room Fri & Sat | Oct 16 & 17 | 2-3 pm

Registration for these events is required at omahalibrary.org. 4

Volunteer Spotlight When schools shut down and activities were cancelled in March 2020 due to COVID-19, Sarah Maaske and her daughters, Emma (16) and Julia (14), thought about how they could best use some of their newfound free time. Julia & Emma Maaske Seeking a volunteer project they could work on “For six years I have depended upon the UNO from home, Sarah emailed approximately 35 Office for Social and Civic Responsibility area nonprofits and community organizations. for volunteers to assemble 3,000 packets She heard back from just one. Sarah’s email had reached Jody duRand, OPL’s partnership per year during the UNO Days of Giving Campaign,” said duRand. “We have been and community engagement manager. One of the campaigns duRand coordinates at OPL extremely fortunate to have had their help, but when COVID closed UNO, we lost access is Baby Reads, a program that emphasizes to these volunteers.” the importance of reading and developing literacy skills from the moment a child is Knowing that the need for these materials born. duRand works with area Children’s would continue, duRand felt like this was an Physicians Clinics to ensure that parents ideal project for the Maaske family, and made of newborns receive a packet containing a arrangements with Sarah to deliver and pickfree book, information about the program, up materials from her home, as needed. and a library card application for their child. As students at Westside High School, Emma Thousands of these packets are distributed and Julia both needed to complete service each year, and assembling these materials hours for school. They were easily able to requires a significant time commitment.

complete their hours with this project, and then kept going, encouraged that the work they were doing mattered. They estimated that Emma had likely spent up to six hours working on Baby Reads packets, and Julia had spent as many as 20 hours. “This was a good thing for us to do to help others,” said Julia. “It’s important to help our community and try to make a difference.” Emma agreed, adding that volunteering provided them with the opportunity to “change and affect others’ lives.” Emma and Julia had already assembled close to 2,000 packets by mid-July, and planned to continue working on them as long as there was a need and they still had the time to give. As for duRand, she was so pleased to connect with the Maaske family when she did. “It was an incredible gift for Sarah to reach out during the pandemic and I thank the Maaskes for their generosity and passion for volunteerism. I never expected it and I am grateful beyond words,” said duRand.

Partner Spotlight: Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility In January 2020, OPL began a partnership with the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF) to start a book club with the young men at the facility. NCYF is a facility designed for male offenders under 21 years, 10 months of age, who were adjudicated as adults.

Maggie Petersen

OPL Outreach Specialist Maggie Petersen was advised that the group may be difficult to motivate, but that didn’t stop her from pitching the idea.

“When Maggie first approached us, we thought she should introduce the book club idea to the inmate population and see how many were interested. I think we were all surprised when we saw a room full of inmates eager to get involved and begin their reading adventure,” said Trish Brockman, assistant warden at NCYF. Ten individuals signed up to participate in the book club. During the group’s initial meeting, Petersen handed out “Tyrell” by Coe Booth, and read aloud to get the group started. “[I] was nervous going into week two, when we’d really be diving into the book,” Petersen admitted.

Those fears quickly dissipated during their first discussion. In the week since receiving a copy, more than half of the participants had already finished the entire book. The conversation flowed naturally, and Petersen didn’t have to resort to any of the prompts she sometimes relies on while hosting other book clubs. “I didn’t realize how hungry these young men were to have a satisfying outlet for thoughtful discussion… Discussion generated through a great story,” she said. After the club finished their first book, seven more members joined the group. Participants became eligible to receive a signature and certificate of completion after attending every meeting and completing a book. Signatures can be used to gain access to other privileges at the facility. Three of the second book club’s 17 participants attended enough days to earn a certificate and signature; the others attended as often as they could, simply because they enjoyed and wanted to discuss the book. Over the course of discussing their first two books together, Petersen became aware that some members were battling dyslexia and other reading disabilities, and pursued

the addition of Playaways (listening devices that contain pre-loaded audiobooks) for members who could listen to the works and fully enjoy the stories. “Most people have preconceived notions about what an inmate looks like or acts like. The inmates at the NCYF look and act like other teenage boys for the most part. When you can find an activity that really grabs their interest and attention, you find a way to make that activity happen,” said Brockman. “We are hopeful that we can continue our partnership with OPL and continue finding ways to incorporate reading into each inmate’s daily activity.” “I’m grateful that the facility’s administration is completely passionate and committed to encouraging these young men to read and share their opinions as well as debate ideas!” Petersen said. The NCYF Book Club is made possible by funding from The Soener Foundation. 5

Staff Spotlight: Lori Arends When people think of library personnel, librarians naturally come to mind. While librarians certainly account for a significant portion of OPL’s staff, many other key employees work behind the scenes to make things happen. One of these people is Lori Arends. Since October 2011, Arends has worked in the administrative offices at OPL as the office manager. She and a team of three others are responsible for Human Resources (HR) and finance functions of the library. In short, Arends makes sure jobs get posted and filled, budgets are balanced and spent, and bills get paid. Being detail-oriented and holding herself to a high standard has helped Arends streamline and improve OPL’s workflows. She is particularly proud of helping to transition the library’s HR process to being almost completely paperless, as well as reducing time spent on processing materials invoices for the library. “Lori has created incredible practices for making the finances at OPL run as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” said OPL Executive Director Laura Marlane. “She’s so well-organized that it makes everyone else’s jobs that much easier.”

2020 Fundraiser Moves Online

Betwe n The Lines WITH

TUESDAY • OCT 6, 2020 • 6 PM The Omaha Public Library Foundation’s 2020 fundraiser, announced in early March, will be hosted entirely online this year. Elaine Weiss, author of the 2018 book, “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote,” will speak live via video and answer questions from attendees. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Email foundation@omahalibrary.org, call 402.444.4589 or register online at omahalibraryfoundation.org. On October 6, the Omaha Public Library Foundation will also present Freddie Gray with its 2020 Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award. The award recognizes Gray’s service to the Foundation and as a former OPL trustee.

National Friends of Libraries Week October 18-24

“There’s so much more to the library than I knew before I came to work here,” said Arends. “My husband and I check out books, but I’ve also taken classes online through the library, and even started learning Spanish.”

“I always want what’s best for the library,” said Arends, “and I will do my best to make that happen.”

Elaine Weiss

Lecture Q & A

Arends recalls checking out books for herself and her children when they were younger, but when she started working at OPL, her eyes were opened to just how much the library has to offer, and she now considers herself a regular library user.

Though being in the library loop is definitely a perk, Arends most enjoys the variety of people she gets to work with in her position. She is in regular contact with library staff at all locations, but also has relationships within other city departments and groups who help fund the library, such as the Friends of OPL and the OPL Foundation. It’s these connections that keep Arends motivated and inspired in her daily work.

line Free On Event

OPL will celebrate the Friends of Omaha Public Library as part of the National Friends of Libraries Week. Established in 1974, the Friends of OPL is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for OPL, providing volunteers, and promoting the library to the greater community. A team of more than 50 volunteers raises funds through book sales and memberships.

Libraries cannot be built or maintained by tax dollars alone. To ensure the continued excellence and growth of OPL, become a Friend today! Learn more at friendsomahalibrary.org.

Friends’ board members include Carol Ebdon, Ph.D.; Polly Goecke; Matt Hill; Dr. Mary Gallagher Jansen; Alice Lindsay; Barb Nielson; Brian Overton; Margaret Pope; Amanda Reid; Jeanne Spence; and Mary Ann Sturek. “OPL truly benefits from the efforts of its Friends group,” said OPL Executive Director Laura Marlane. “The funds they raise support many of the library services and programs our patrons enjoy.”

Digital Materials Campaign Grows OPL Collection During one of the most challenging and unpredictable times in our shared history, Omaha Public Library Foundation (OPLF) donors stepped forward. They showed their support of OPL and the myriad ways it serves the Douglas County community, even when all libraries are closed. OPLF launched its $200,000 fundraising campaign -- Collections for Our Community: A COVID-19 Response -- in early April to purchase digital books and other items for OPL. Within days, online donations and personal checks arrived in support of the system-wide project. As of early July, OPLF raised $160,000 in donations for digital

Financial Gifts Received July 13, 2019 – July 13, 2020 $50,000+

Hawks Foundation Holland Foundation Peter Kiewit Foundation The Sherwood Foundation

$30,000+

Anonymous Richard Brooke Foundation Claire M. Hubbard Foundation William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation

$20,000+

Collective for Youth Lozier Dianne & Allan Lozier The Adah & Leon Millard Foundation Omaha Community Foundation Sokolof Foundation in Memory of Richard Rosinsky

James & Dawn Hammel Humanities Nebraska Theresa & Bill Jehlik Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Richard & Helen Kelley Steve Martin & Amy Haddad Allan & Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation Maggie & Michael McMeekin Greg & Lori McMillan Lewis & Winifred Pinch Dave & Anne Rismiller The Soener Foundation Elizabeth Summers Whole Foods Market Dennis & Patricia Wiederholt

$1,000+

Anonymous (3) Mogens & Cindy Bay BCDM Architects Anne & Brian Branigan Stephen & Anne Bruckner BVH Architecture Julie & Scott Cobb $10,000+ John & Terri Diesing Dan & Tina Lonergan Joseph Drugmand Amy L. Scott Family Foundation Friedland Family Foundation Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation Lance & Julie Fritz Union Pacific Foundation Jo Giles Webster Family Foundation Mike & Wanda Gottschalk Weitz Family Foundation Deryl & Ramona Hamann Eileen M. Wirth Jennifer Hamann Estate of Leonard Yelinek Traci Hancock $5,000+ Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Hartman Baer Foundation John & Jean Hartwell Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Peggy & John Heck Foundation The Heider Family Foundation Benson Neighborhood Association Harold & Clara Hoover Bluestem Prairie Foundation Sandra Jenkins Cox Noreen Johnson Deloitte & Touche LLP Jim Kineen Ike & Roz Friedman Foundation Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Lori Hedstrom Jeffrey Kosse Michael & Susan Lebens Dave & Vicki Krecek Metro Omaha Medical Society Bob & Kathy Kunkle Foundation Estate of Evelyn Lang Mutual of Omaha Companies Gary & Lucie Long Omaha Steaks International Gail McFayden Silvia Roffman John & Merrilee Miller Fred & Even Simon Charitable Dave Moline Foundation Jim & Bobbie Montequin Jill Slosburg-Ackerman Morrissey Engineering Tenaska, Inc. Rochelle Mullen Wally & Barbara Weitz Phyllis & Bob Newman Nebraska Arts Council $2,000+ Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C. Sharee & Murray Newman Fund Olsson Michael & Michelle Berlin Sandra Price Paul Dietsch RDG Planning & Design First National Bank Rotary-Suburban Devin Fox, M.D. Ruth Sage Gallagher Foundation Barbara & Ronald Schaefer Estate of Helen Grgich

materials. It is the OPLF ’s second largest fundraising campaign for OPL in the last six years. When OPL’s 12 branches closed until further notice, approximately 52,000 digital materials were the only collections available to the more than 550,000 residents of Douglas County. As a result of the campaign, OPL purchased a variety of popular eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, and other digital items for all library patrons. Please consider making an online donation today in support of this special fundraising project for OPL at omahalibraryfoundation.org/ donate. A gift of any size will have a significant impact in the services OPL provides patrons of all ages, in the best of times and the worst of times. For more information, contact foundation@omahalibrary.org. Thank you for your past support of OPL and the Foundation.

Laurie Smith Camp Streck, Inc. Carol Wang & Jim Phillips Sarah Watson Phil & Nancy Wolf

$500+

Anonymous Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Jean Amoura Richard & Carol Britten William Brown Dick & Carole Burrows Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Robert & Jill Cochran Leilani & Ron Coe Maurice & Cora Conner Nancy Darst DMSi Tim Davlin & Ann O’Connor Carol Ebdon Dwain Horn Memorial Fund Giger Foundation Gilbert Family Lynn & Cindy Gray Roland & Jean Mariucci William McNiece Shirley & Daniel Neary Omaha Jaycees Foundation Omaha Schools Foundation Susan Petersen Norma & Cliff Pountney John & Kathleen Ransom Ann Rinne Emma Savory Nola & David Schettler Susan Shell Emily States Christine & Tony Swerczek Red & Jann Thomas Bruce & Susan Vosburg Estate of Helen Wittmann

$250+

Anonymous (2) Trent & Emily Allen Jane Alseth Martha Antonson Lynn & Thomas Ashby Benevity Community Impact Fund The Bookworm Marjorie & Larry Brennan Katie Bruno Bobbie Carlson James & Anne Carroll Lou & Ellie Clure Mark & Teri D’Agostino Harl & Kay Dalstrom Tony & Claudia Deeb Stephanie Diers Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Sandy & Kate Dodge Julie Driftmier Mary Ann & Daren Folchert Pamala Furey Thomas & Nancy Gallagher

Mike & Kathy Gross David Harding & Sarah Newman Terry & Linda Haubold Howard & Gloria Kaslow Emily Kemp Erwin & Elaine Klabunde Marty Magee James & Patricia Manion Mark & Dianne McMillan Ann Moshman Diana Nevins O’Daniel Honda Francis Partsch Robert & Patricia Ranney Neal & Deb Ratzlaff Kathy & Chad Roum Saddlebrook Elementary School PTA Julie Schroeder Shirley Siebler Susie Sisson Jane Slezak Gloria Sorensen Jeanne & Robb Spence Susan Stalnaker Pete & Mary Lou Stehr Anh Tran Bill & Joan Truhlsen Union Pacific Fund for Effective Government Union Pacific Giveplus Program Judy Vann Jane & David Werner Emily Young

Honorariums & Memorials Received

April 14 — July 13, 2020 In Memory of Aileen (Hill) Anderson

In Memory of Joanne Freeman Ally Freeman

In Honor of All Furloughed Employees Amy Schindler

In Memory of Betty Green Therese Bigelow

In Memory of Scott C Hoyt Katherine Hoyt

In Memory of “The Professor” Theodore Parker Johnson Mary & Robert Mollner

In Memory of Patrick Kennedy Michael Kenney

In Honor of Librarians Everwhere Mary Gibilisco

In Memory of Verne Meyer Nancy Meyer

In Memory of Ted Newman Anonymous

In Memory of Lucy Mora Monica Mora-Handlos

In Honor of William Morin Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Gloria Sorensen Mark Sorensen

In Honor of Anne Oeth Trina Baldwin

In Memory of Marjorie Moon Rohrer Theresa & Richard Jehlik

In Honor of Saddlebrook Team Kathryn Lofgren

In Honor of Dave Reid Joe Shindelar

Denise Hill

In Honor of Rainbow Sturdivant-Wilson

Tracie Balvanz

In Honor of Wendy Townley

In Honor of Helen Balvanz In Memory of John Bernardi Anonymous

In Memory of Wally & Bill Berry Karen Berry

In Memory of Wanda Boos Mark & Dianne McMillan

In Memory of John Lloyd Brown William Brown

In Honor of Marcy Cotton & Family Lourdes M. Secola

In Honor of Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Gloria Sorensen

In Memory of Patrick Esser Pamala Furey

Kenley & Jara Sturdivant-Wilson Sharon Brodkey Josh Bucy Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Gil Cohen Omaha Schools Foundation Kenley & Jara Sturdivant-Wilson

In Honor of Willa Cather Library Maggie Wood

In Memory of Dominic Tripp Barbara Tripp

In Memory of April Earl Underwood Martha Grenzeback

In Honor of Ed Vinovski Gloria Sorensen

In Honor of Carol Wang Nichole Turgeon

215 S. 15th St. Omaha, NE 68102

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage

PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818

12 LOCATIONS W. DALE CLARK MAIN LIBRARY 215 S. 15th St. | 402.444.4800 MILTON R. ABRAHAMS BRANCH 5111 N. 90th St. | 402.444.6284 BENSON BRANCH 6015 Binney St. | 402.444.4846 BESS JOHNSON ELKHORN BRANCH 2100 Reading Plz. | 402.289.4367 FLORENCE BRANCH 2920 Bondesson St. | 402.444.5299 MILLARD BRANCH 13214 Westwood Ln. | 402.444.4848 SADDLEBROOK BRANCH 14850 Laurel Ave. | 402.444.5780 A.V. SORENSEN BRANCH 4808 Cass St. | 402.444.5274 SOUTH OMAHA LIBRARY 2808 Q St. | 402.444.4850 W. CLARKE SWANSON BRANCH 9101 W. Dodge Rd. | 402.444.4852 CHARLES B. WASHINGTON BRANCH 2868 Ames Ave. | 402.444.4849 WILLA CATHER BRANCH 1905 S. 44th St. | 402.444.4851

Locations are expected to open by October 1. Visit omahalibrary.org or call 402.444.4800 for the most current information.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year and remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path toward academic achievement and lifelong learning. Libraries offer everything from early literacy programs to virtual homework help and online classes, helping transform lives and communities through education. To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, visit omahalibrary.org.

Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 - October 15

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” beginning in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month-long celebration during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, OPL will offer recommended reading lists featuring materials that share experiences and cultural viewpoints of Hispanic Americans. Find these and more at omahalibrary.org.

Two kids excitedly wait to check out their books from the Saddlebrook Branch.

Read It & Eat Culinary Virtual Conference Sat | Nov 7 | 1-3 pm

In celebration of the tenth and final year of the Read It & Eat Culinary Conference, OPL will reflect upon and highlight some of its great themes and moments, everything from featuring Midwest foods to cooking with scraps; and interviews with cookbook authors, food writers, local chefs and culinary experts. This event will also highlight OPL’s culinary collection including cookbooks and archives of local menus. Learn more at omahalibrary.org.