Connect News from Omaha Public Library • OPL Foundation • Friends of OPL
2021 Omaha Reads Each year, Omaha Public Library (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. Join us in reading this year’s Omaha Reads selection, “You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism,” by authors Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar. “You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey” is a New York Times bestseller that tackles modern-day racism with a balance of levity and gravity. The authors are sisters and both originally from Omaha. Ruffin now lives in New York and works as the host of The Amber Ruffin Show. Lamar still lives
Amber Ruffin & Lacey Lamar Virtual Author Visit The authors will participate in a moderated discussion about their book, followed by an audience Q&A session. Thurs | Sept 2 | 6 pm
Amber Ruffin
in Nebraska, and shares stories from racist donut shops to strangers putting their whole hand in her hair, and from being mistaken for a prostitute to being mistaken for Harriet Tubman. These absurd anecdotes illustrate everyday experiences of racism with humor and heart. “Knowing that many of the stories shared in this book happened in our community is eye-opening,” said OPL Executive Director Laura Marlane. “This book provides a unique opportunity to explore and discuss challenging topics through a local perspective.” Get involved with Omaha Reads by checking out the book, participating in a virtual
Virtual Book Discussions An OPL staff member will moderate a discussion around this year’s Omaha Reads selection. Wed | Sept 8 | Noon Thurs | Sept 23 | 6 pm
Volume 28 • Issue 3 • Fall 2021
Lacey Lamar
program, and discussing the book with friends, family and neighbors. All programs are free to attend. Registration is required at omahalibrary.org/omaha-reads. For more information about the authors, visit grandcentralpublishing.com.
Closing Reflection Online
Community Connector Jade Rogers and OPL Adult Services Manager Amy Mather will reflect on a moderated book discussion, with a focus on the importance of storytelling and how books connect us to each other. Thurs | Sept 30 | 6 pm
Banned Books Week September 26 – October 2
The top 10 most-challenged books of 2020
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!
Director’s Note Fall has always been my favorite time of year. It reminds me of my New England roots, and I love the crisp, cool air as the evenings draw in... The world just feels cozier. Of course, it’s also a great time to curl up with something wonderful to read, which, to be honest, is really any time of year! Fall also means a return to school and learning. As we embark on another school year, remember that your library card is your passport to learning! Students are encouraged to connect with live tutors offering personalized homework help online using Tutor.com, available 2-9 pm at omahalibrary.org/resource. If you would like to learn a new language or brush up on conversational skills, Mango Languages can help! This online resource offers language development in over 70 different languages. For those thinking about college or pursuing an advanced degree, LearningExpress offers online practice exams for the ACT, SAT, and the GRE. This resource also has help for job-seekers, such as practice tests for a variety of occupational exams like the CDL license test, civil service exams, and many more. Many OPL resources have apps available for ease of access. The MyOPL app allows you to access the OPL catalog from your cell phone or mobile device. Read reviews from other library patrons, place holds on the titles you want and select a convenient location to pick them up when they’re ready, or create a bookshelf of titles you would like to read in the future. If you prefer eBooks and downloadable audiobooks, try the Libby app to browse available titles. You can even narrow your search by genre to help you find your next favorite read! Access dozens of digital magazines with the Flipster app. Explore the world with National Geographic, stay up to date on the news with TIME magazine, or check out some great recipes with Taste of Home. Subscribe to your favorites and receive an email when new issues are available. Whatever your interests, OPL has something for you. Don’t forget that OPL staff are here for you, too! There is an OPL branch open every day of the week, with friendly staff who are happy to help you find the resources you need, so drop in and explore your library today!
Laura Marlane Executive Director
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Summer Reading Program The 2021 Summer Reading Program (SRP) celebrated the theme “Tails and Tales,” and offered fun stories and fantastic programs featuring animals all summer long! All ages were welcome to participate by reading or listening to a book for 10 hours between June 1 and July 31 to be eligible for prizes. Kids and teens received a book just for signing up, and were able to receive additional rewards at OPL branch locations once they completed their goals.
Out & About Storytime at Chalco Hills Recreation Area on June 14, 2021.
For the second year in a row, the free, educational and entertaining programs that typically take place at OPL branches and in the community each summer were presented virtually. OPL presented live storytimes from locations “Out & About,” and offered opportunities to meet interesting animals, make creative crafts, solve escape room puzzles, join online book clubs, and so much more. Overall, 14,912 people participated in SRP, logging over 156,000 hours of reading this summer! More than 59% of participants completed their SRP goals. The Omaha Storm Chasers sponsored attendance for kids and teens who completed their goals during two baseball games in August. Thank you to SRP presenting sponsor, the Richard Brooke Foundation, and many other generous sponsors who helped make the program possible.
OPL Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees Two new members joined OPL’s board of trustees, each serving three-year terms beginning July 1, 2021. • Tulani Grundy Meadows, political science/human relations faculty member at Metropolitan Community College • Rochelle Mullen, partner with Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather Adrian Suarez Delgado, Subway business franchisee, and Jesse Sullivan, senior director of accounting policy at First National Bank of Omaha, completed their terms on the board on June 30, 2021. During the June 17, 2021, board meeting, the OPL board of trustees reelected board officers. Officers hold their position for one year beginning on July 1, 2021.
Tulani Grundy Meadows
Rochelle Mullen
President: Mike Kennedy, attorney at Kennedy Law Vice President: Keegan Korf, senior brand and communication strategist at Emspace + Lovgren Secretary/Treasurer: Jen Rae Wang, head of government and regulatory affairs at Cox Communications Additional OPL board members include: • John R. Barrett, director of government affairs at Great Plains Communications • Keith Lutz, former superintendent of Millard Public Schools (retired) • Kristin Williams, fundraising, philanthropy and community activism consultant 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. In accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, OPL board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 5 pm at different library locations. Schedules, agendas and minutes from these meetings can be found at omahalibrary.org/board-of-trustees.
September is National Library Card Sign-up Month
Recommended Reads for Fall
National Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when OPL joins the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.
In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström This is a character-driven, multiple-perspective debut novel of three Black women whose lives intersect in separate ways with the same white man in Stockholm.
Regular library users already know the many benefits of having a library card, including access to multiple formats of books, magazines, newspapers, movies and music. OPL also offers free online learning and professional development resources for all ages and backgrounds, hundreds of educational and entertaining programs and events, and opportunities to connect with whatever information you seek.
Book Club Librarian Michelle Carlson signs her child up for their first library card.
OPL, along with libraries everywhere, continues to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. Beginning September 1, OPL will reintroduce availability for meeting and study rooms, as well as test-proctoring. To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, visit omahalibrary.org. Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries work together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card.
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. There are a number of available resources to help researchers at all levels, many of which are easily accessible with your library card. Visit omahalibrary.org/genealogy-local-history to get started. Find online research tools, recommended reading, and even local community resources that may be helpful in constructing your family tree. W. Dale Clark Main Library downtown houses a dedicated genealogy room, a Nebraska reference collection (closed stacks), and a large collection of government documents dating back to the 1800s, as well as a microfilm room housing more than 7,000 microfilms and microfiches, including local newspapers and other periodicals, local history records, and census records. 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 December 31, 2021. Learn more about your past in an online seminar with expert genealogist Annette Burke Lyttle. Registration is required at omahalibrary.org or by calling 402.444.4826.
Sat | Oct 23 | 10 am-12:30 pm 10 am 11 am 11:30 am
Prospecting for Family History in Unexpected Places Intermission / Genealogy Resources Following Migrating Ancestors: Three Case Studies
Reprieve by James Han Mattson This chilling, psychological horror novel is set in a haunted escape room in Lincoln, Nebraska, where four contestants work to complete the final challenge until someone breaks into the escape room and kills one of them. Castaway Mountain: Love and Loss Among the Wastepickers of Mumbai by Saumya Roy This book details life on the trash piles of Mumbai. More than just describing the everyday life and trials of human existence in these areas, Roy’s writing is also a reflection on the excess of a consumer society. The Gilded Page: The Secret Lives of Medieval Manuscripts by Mary Wellesley Take a look at the decorative manuscripts of the medieval period and the stories of the people who created and saved them. O Beautiful by Jung Yun Former model Elinor Hanson returns to her North Dakota hometown on assignment to write about the oil boom and finds a tension-filled community and a past to reconcile. To request your own customized book list or book bundle, visit omahalibrary.org and select Find Your Next Read under the Services tab. 3
O T K C A B
L O O H SC MAKE THE GRADE!
Access these and other free resources using your library card! Visit the Resource Center at omahalibrary.org. Full-text versions of popular magazine articles, encyclopedia entries, and other resources available to browse by topic area or keyword search.
Visits Online Storytime Sept 11-17
Enjoy stories, creative movement, music and more with Llama Llama using the Zoom meeting app! See the full schedule at omahalibrary.org.
Online Storytimes | Sept 18 & 25 Join us for special storytimes to explore the important role water plays in our lives and community. Attending this storytime counts as an activity you can check off from your World O! Water activity card. Learn more at the worldowater.org.
Interactive tutorials, practice tests, eBooks, flashcards and articles for academic skill-building, standardized test preparation, career development and more. Prepares learners for realistic conversations and strengthens everyday communication skills in over 70 world languages, including English.
Join us for these hauntingly fun events to celebrate the spooky season. Costumes are encouraged! Spooky Storytime
Oct 25 10:30 am. . . . Washington Branch Oct 30 10:30 am . . . . . . Benson Branch
Fiction and nonfiction reading recommendations matched to the K-8 readers’ interests and reading level.
Halloween Bash
Oct 27 5:30-7 pm. . . . . Florence Branch
A full-text database providing popular children’s magazines, easy-to-read encyclopedic entries and a vast image collection. Animated talking picture books, videos, puzzles and games, and language learning for kids. Free homework help from a live, online tutor 2-9 pm, plus thousands of worksheets, tutorials, study guides, practice tests, and more available 24/7.
Storybook Character Meet & Greet Nov 6-13
Several storybook characters will visit OPL branches! Meet and take pictures with Biscuit, Click Clack Duck, How Do Dinos, Splat the Cat, Taco Dragon, and Wild Thing, during special storytimes scheduled throughout the week. See a full schedule at omahalibrary.org. Participants will receive a free book to keep for their personal collection.
Washington Branch to Receive New Landscaping
TeenTober is a nationwide celebration hosted by libraries every October and aims to celebrate teens, promote services and the innovative ways teen services helps teens learn new skills, and fuel their passions in and outside the library. Stop by any OPL location during October to participate in activities for teens. Visit omahalibrary.org/teens to learn more.
Charles B. Washington Branch is a pillar of the North Omaha community. Thanks to help from local nonprofit Omaha Permaculture, the garden beds are receiving a much-needed facelift, helping to demonstrate to the community that OPL is proud to be a part of it and inviting everyone into the shared community space. The new landscaping will feature native plants and hardy perennials that will bloom throughout the growing season and provide a welcoming space for pollinators and people alike. Washington Branch Garden Planting Party Sat | Oct 16 | 10:30 am-Noon
Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines to read on your phone or tablet using the Libby app.
All ages are invited to bring gardening gloves and a trowel to help finish planting new Washington Branch garden beds. Enjoy a naturethemed storytime, seeds to take home, games and educational activities for little ones, and a lot of fun while putting the finishing touches on new landscaping, designed and implemented by Omaha Permaculture.
Patrons Take Courses for Personal & Professional Growth As many in the community begin a new school year, don’t forget about opportunities to learn year-round through OPL! OPL’s Gale Courses subscription offers patrons the opportunity to sign up for interactive six-week online classes led by expert instructors. Courses cover a wide range of subjects, including accounting and finance, college readiness, design and composition, and writing and publishing, among others. Each month, a new session of courses begins. The next sessions begin September 15, October 13, and November 17. For Denisha Seals, Gale Courses offered her a chance to brush up on her Spanish speaking skills. Seals learned about Gale Courses from her fiancé and has completed “Speed Spanish Levels 1 and 2,” and plans to enroll in “Speed Spanish 3,” and “Spanish in Law Enforcement” this year. “I visited Spain and Argentina when I studied abroad,” said Denisha Seals with her completion certificates from Gale Courses. Seals. “Fluency has always been a passion and a goal for me. These courses have helped me tremendously.” Seals has found other courses she’s interested in taking, including some that cover grant writing, which would be a
new skill that she believes would be beneficial to know. “I think everyone should take the opportunity to expand their craft, whether it’s language, business, grant writing or college prep,” Seals said. “There are so many dynamic courses that everybody can benefit from, and they’re all free.” Gale Courses also offers classes that cover creative topics, including photography, creative writing, guitar, and more! These courses came in handy for Kristi Starmer, who enrolled in “Drawing for Absolute Beginners” and “Using Social Media in Business” courses. While she started taking them before the COVID-19 pandemic, Starmer said that they especially came in handy in 2020, when she spent more time at home. “I took drawing classes in college and decided to take the Gale Course for a refresher.” As someone living with muscular dystrophy and using a wheelchair, the availability of these online courses is all the more convenient for Starmer. While she’s taken courses that serve as refreshers for things she’s done before up to this point, she also plans to enroll in courses that cover new ground for her, including music theory and gardening. “I totally recommended that others do them,” said Starmer, adding that she often shares information about courses with others in person and through social media. Students who finish a Gale Course receive a certificate of completion. Most courses cover 24 hours of material, though the hours for each are specified in the course descriptions. Search available courses at omahalibrary.org in the Resource Center. 5
Staff Spotlight: Tom Russell When Tom Russell walked into Milton R. Abrahams Branch during summer 1995, he was looking for a volunteer opportunity to help him develop some new skills. The manager at the time, Gloria Sorensen, informed Russell that there were no volunteer positions available, but that they did have a job opening for a part-time clerk. He decided to apply and was hired. Russell worked in that position for a short time before being hired as a full-time library specialist in August 1996. Twenty six years later, Russell retired from OPL on June 25, 2021. Working in a library was not a career that Russell necessarily anticipated. After concluding his military service, Russell worked as an emergency dispatcher for several years, but grew tired of hearing bad news every day and decided to take a different path. As someone who studied English and philosophy in college, libraries called to him, and were always spaces he appreciated. Russell spent the majority of his time with OPL working at Abrahams Branch, and then transferred to Millard Branch in 2019. Though he claims he always just did as he was told, Russell was responsible for everything from coordinating book clubs and providing computer support, to doing reference work, which was his favorite. “I liked when people came into the library looking for obscure information and didn’t know where to start,” said Russell. “I learned something new every day.” In addition to the daily challenges presented to him at the library, Russell said he will miss the people the most. The feeling is mutual. “What I will miss most [about Tom] is talking sports with him. I will miss his hard work, sense of humor, and the way he gets along with others. He has been a pleasure to work with and supervise,” said Millard Branch Manager Evonne Edgington. In retirement, Russell hopes to spend more time reading, writing poetry, visiting the gym, and volunteering. On behalf of OPL staff and patrons, we are grateful to Russell for his library service and wish him all the best in retirement. 6
National Friends of Libraries Week October 17-23 OPL will celebrate the Friends of OPL as part of the National Friends of Libraries Week. Established in 1974, the Friends of OPL is an all-volunteer nonprofit 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. Friends’ board members include Carol Ebdon, Ph.D.; Polly Goecke; Matt Hill; Meghan Hope; Dr. Mary Gallagher Jansen; Alice Lindsay; Barb Nielson; Brian Overton; Margaret Pope; Jeanne Spence; Mary Ann Sturek; and Jess Winter. “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.”
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.
National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 5,000 individual and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit ala.org/united.
Volunteer Spotlight: Cyndi Mattson Cyndi Mattson has always liked reading, working with books, and helping people find things, so when she retired from DTN 10 years ago, the library seemed like a good place for her to volunteer.
seed packets. “I don’t mind,” said Mattson. “I’ll do whatever they have for me to do.” Mattson was honored at the 2016 Nebraska Library Association’s Day of Advocacy as an outstanding volunteer. Mattson may be retired, but she’s certainly not taking it easy. OPL is just one of the many organizations to which she dedicates her time. Mattson volunteers for Omaha Performing Arts, Partnership 4 Kids, Tip Top Thrift Shop, Open Door Mission–Elkhorn, and her church. She also belongs to a variety of other groups to explore and celebrate her Scandinavian heritage.
An Omaha native, this Central High and UNO “Volunteers make things happen,” said grad worked at a couple of different jobs Mattson. “Every experience broadens before staying home to raise a family. When my horizons and introduces me to new her youngest child was old enough to get to school on their own, she returned to the work people. People think they don’t have time to volunteer or that they can’t do things, force, and even held a part-time position as a but that’s not the right attitude to have. library specialist at OPL’s W. Clarke Swanson Volunteers are important.” Branch for a brief time in the late 1990s. If you or someone you know is interested in Now, she helps at W. Dale Clark Main volunteering at OPL, visit your neighborhood Library with whatever needs to be done, branch or omahalibrary.org/volunteer for from shelving books and filing obituary more information. cards, to sorting historical files and filling
Between the Lines with Yaa Gyasi
Tuesday, October 5 • 6:30–8:30 PM Temple Israel • 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and a conversation with author Yaa Gyasi, followed by a Q&A. $100 each • Patron ticket
Features a private 5:30 PM reception with Yaa Gyasi
$60 each • General admission $40 each • Virtual admission
A Zoom link will be sent via email
Founding Omaha Public Library Foundation board member Dick Kelley will receive the 2021 Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Omaha Public Library Foundation at foundation@omahalibrary.org or 402.444.4589. Tickets will be available upon check-in at the October 5 fundraiser. For more details, please visit omahalibraryfoundation.org.
Financial Gifts Received July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 $50,000+
Holland Foundation The Sherwood Foundation
$30,000+
Anonymous Peter Kiewit Foundation William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation
$20,000+
Collective for Youth Lozier Foundation Sokolof Foundation in Memory of Richard Rosinsky
$15,000+
Richard Brooke Foundation The Heider Family Foundation Pacific Life Foundation Amy L. Scott Family Foundation Webster Family Foundation
Jill Slosburg-Ackerman The Soener Foundation Eileen M. Wirth
$2,000+
100 Women Who Care Michael & Michelle Berlin Barbara Bock-Mavis John & Terri Diesing Paul Dietsch Joseph Drugmand Devin Fox, M.D. James & Dawn Hammel Theresa Jehlik Richard Kelley Jim Kineen Allan & Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation Maggie & Michael McMeekin Lewis & Winifred Pinch Dennis & Patricia Wiederholt
$1,000+
Anonymous (2) Mary Joy Anderson Bay Family Foundation Stephen & Anne Bruckner Katie Bruno $10,000+ Leilani & Ron Coe Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Foundation Dollar General Literacy Foundation Michael & Deana Liddy Friedland Family Foundation Mammel Family Foundation Carol Gendler Elizabeth Summers Jo Giles Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation Great Plains Communications Stanley M. Truhlsen Family Foundation David Harding & Sarah Newman Union Pacific Foundation Peggy & John Heck Weitz Family Foundation Harold & Clara Hoover $5,000+ Edward Hotz & Trish Nipp Baer Foundation Noreen Johnson Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Foundation Dave & Vicki Krecek Bluestem Prairie Foundation Gary & Lucie Long Cox Mark & Dianne McMillan Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Heidi Moser Federation of Omaha Foundation Rochelle Mullen Kelley Family Foundation Phyllis & Bob Newman Dan & Tina Lonergan Sandra Price Mutual of Omaha Companies Ruth Sage Silvia Roffman Paul & Annette Smith Fred & Eve Simon Charitable Foundation Streck, Inc./Connie Ryan
Event proceeds support Omaha Public Library programs and services.
Karen Berry Jeffrey Boyum Thad & Sharon Call James & Anne Carroll $500+ Lou & Ellie Clure Anonymous Mark & Teri D’Agostino Doug & Cathy Aden Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C. Stewart & Lisa Dale Tim Davlin & Ann O’Connor Jean Amoura Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Tracie Balvanz Nils Erickson George & Kathleen Bigelow Mary Ann & Daren Folchert Richard & Carol Britten Pamala Furey J. Richard Burrows Thomas & Nancy Gallagher Patricia Carlson Sara Gilbert Roberta Carlson Denise Hill Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Robert Kearney Julie & Scott Cobb Emily Kemp Robert & Jill Cochran Erwin & Elaine Klabunde Completely Kids Jane Kugler & Doug Vonderfecht Maurice & Cora Conner Tom Liefer Nancy Darst Marty Magee Carol Ebdon Edward & Carrie May Mike & Wanda Gottschalk John & Merrilee Miller Lynn & Cindy Gray Ann & Gordon Moshman Howard & Gloria Kaslow Diana Nevins Bob & Kathy Kunkle Sheri Oakes Shirley & Daniel Neary Ilka Oberst Sharee & Murray Newman Fund Bo & Beth Ochsner Sarah Newman Frank Partsch Omaha Community Foundation Aja & Ryan Pelster Jane Petersen Robert & Patricia Ranney Susan Petersen The Salsa Gang Book Club Norma & Cliff Pountney Shirley Siebler John & Kathleen Ransom Pete & Mary Lou Stehr Ann Rinne Vance Taylor Dave & Anne Rismiller Jonell Tempero Emma Savory Anh Tran Gloria Sorensen Judy Vann Susan Stalnaker Jim & Maureen Waldron Joshua & Emily States Kay Weinstein Susan Vosburg Anna Wastell Honorariums & David Watts Memorials Received Linda Wedberg-Kraft & Robert Kraft
Red & Jann Thomas Sarah Watson Phil & Nancy Wolf
$250+
Anonymous Lynn & Thomas Ashby Zac Baer Marcia Bechtel
April 1 — June 30, 2021
In Honor of Julie Cobb Jim & Maureen Waldron
In Honor of Ann Fritscher Gloria Sorensen
In Honor of Kristine Tynan Gerber Thomas Tape
In Honor of Mary Ann Kelley Anonymous
In Memory of Crystal Matz Anonymous (2) Jo Anne Amoura Nancy Chmiel Ginny Kavvadias Kathy Newland Christine O’Connor Linda OKeefe Lisa Reid Dena Sherrill Gloria Sorensen Bruce Spears Cynthia Vana Gary Wasdin
In Memory of Jane Meehan Rohan Fernando
In Honor of Merrilee Miller Andrea Kinnan
In Memory of Ted Newman Anonymous
In Memory of Darleen Teten Mary & William Moon
In Memory of Patrick Thompson Sue & Steve Aanes Debbie Bossch Bob & Lynne Malloy Kit Mayer Kay Pohlman Karen Ramsey Philean & Don Spencer
In Honor of Wendy Townley Josh Bucy
In Memory of George Walker Cynthia Vana
In Honor of McKinnon Carlson In Memory of Margaret J. Jon Flanagan Ziegler Debbie Burks
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215 S. 15th St. Omaha, NE 68102
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage
PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818
Fall Holiday Closings HOURS & LOCATIONS MONDAY – THURSDAY
9am – 7pm
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
9am – 5pm
SUNDAY 1 – 5pm (Main, Millard & Abrahams only) A.V. SORENSEN BRANCH 4808 Cass St. | 402.444.5274
September 6 Labor Day October 11 Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day
(South Omaha Library open)
November 11 Veterans Day
(South Omaha Library open)
November 25 & 26 Thanksgiving
BENSON BRANCH 6015 Binney St. | 402.444.4846 BESS JOHNSON ELKHORN BRANCH 2100 Reading Plz. | 402.289.4367 CHARLES B. WASHINGTON BRANCH 2868 Ames Ave. | 402.444.4849 FLORENCE BRANCH 2920 Bondesson St. | 402.444.5299 MILLARD BRANCH 13214 Westwood Ln. | 402.444.4848 MILTON R. ABRAHAMS BRANCH 5111 N. 90th St. | 402.444.6284 SADDLEBROOK BRANCH 14850 Laurel Ave. | 402.444.5780 SOUTH OMAHA LIBRARY 2808 Q St. | 402.444.4850 W. CLARKE SWANSON BRANCH 9101 W. Dodge Rd. | 402.444.4852 W. DALE CLARK MAIN LIBRARY 215 S. 15th St. | 402.444.4800 WILLA CATHER BRANCH 1905 S. 44th St. | 402.444.4851
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.
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.
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.
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, OPL will offer recommended reading lists featuring materials that share experiences and cultural viewpoints of Native Americans. Find these and more at omahalibrary.org.