OPL Winter Connect Newsletter 2015 by Omaha Public Library

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

Page

Welcome Laura Marlane Fall Recap

Page

Staff Spotlight Phipps Gallery

4-5

KidSpot & TeenSpace Retirees

Holiday Happenings

Volume 22 • Issue 4 • Winter 2015

Page

6-7

Friends of OPL OPL Foundation

Santa Visits Santa will be available to visit with kids of all ages. Bring your wish list & camera!

The holidays can leave you feeling like you’re being pulled in a million different directions. Don’t forget to take some time to slow down and enjoy the best the season has to offer. Omaha Public Library (OPL) can help with fun, free, pre-planned programs and activities for all ages to enjoy, including music, crafts, open houses, and visits with Santa! Registration may be required for some events.

Sat | Dec 5 | 10:30 am Saddlebrook Branch Tues | Dec 8 | 10:30 am Sorensen Branch

Visit omahalibrary.org for a complete schedule.

Wed | Dec 9 | 10:30 am Sat | Dec 12 | 10:30 am Millard Branch

Holiday hours

Dec 24 - All locations close at 3 pm; Dec 25 - All locations closed Dec 31 - All locations close at 6 pm (Main Library open until 8 pm for fireworks) Jan 1 - All locations closed

Recommended Reads The Stargazer’s Sister by Carrie Brown Caroline Herschel is sister of great composer and astronomer William Herschel. She serves as his assistant and caretaker until he suddenly marries, leaving Caroline to find her own place in the universe. The Mare by Mary Gaitskill This is a captivating comingof-age tale of a young, inner-city Dominican girl and her introduction to a quiet, small town family and their riding stable.

Sat | Dec 12 | 2 pm Florence Branch Wed | Dec 23 | 5 pm Washington Branch

by Teresa Shane & Judy Shannon, Readers Advisory Specialists

Container Theme Gardens: 42 Stunning Combinations Each Using 5 Perfectly Matched Plants by Nancy J. Ondra Explore plans for container arrangements, each using just five specific plants that you can find at your local garden center. There’s something offered for every setting and style. The Verdict by Nick Stone Terry Flynt, a young law clerk, has the chance to elevate his career to new heights defending a millionaire accused of murder, who also happens to be his greatest enemy.

The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Phil Szostak Exclusive interviews with the entire creative team offer valuable insights into the highly-anticipated Star Wars films. Explore this visual collection of hundreds of stunning works of art, including production paintings, concept sketches, storyboards, blueprints and more. Request your own customized book list at omahalibrary.org and select Custom Reading List under the Catalog tab.

OPL Welcomes Laura Marlane Laura Marlane assumed her position as the new executive director of Omaha Public Library on Sept. 28. Marlane previously served as executive director of Providence Community Library in Providence, Rhode Island. Marlane was selected after a nationwide search. “What really stood out about Laura was her focus on people,” said Board of Trustees President Mike Meyer. “She has a lot of enthusiasm for her work, and her experience and passion will continue to move the library in the right direction.” In her first several weeks on the job, Marlane has jumped right in to building relationships with staff, community organizations, and other library stakeholders. Marlane has 30 years of experience working in public, academic and research libraries across Rhode Island. She has worked in a variety of roles throughout her career, with a particular affinity for technology and the role public libraries have in introducing and sharing technology with the public.

After-School Programs

At the end of November, OPL wrapped up a second eight-week session of after-school programs with the organization Why Arts?. OPL has been conducting after-school book clubs in Omaha Public Schools for years, but have more recently collaborated with Why Arts? to introduce story exploration through individual and group art projects. During the last session, students at King Science and Technology Magnet School, Lewis and Clark Middle School, McMillan Magnet Middle School, Monroe Middle School and Morton Middle School, were asked to read the graphic novel American Born Chinese, and use graphic art to create their own stories. Not only are reluctant readers incentivized to complete a book during these after-school sessions, many students also gain a sense of stability that they don’t always have at home. “Many of the students we work with are in foster care,” said OPL outreach specialist Maggie Rasmussen. “This program provides a safe, supporting environment. Some of the kids even call their fellow classmates their ‘library family.’” Rasmussen feels the program has produced many positive outcomes. “The same kids continue to sign up year after year for our program, even though they can choose from any variety of activities.” She also believes that OPL’s partnership with Why Arts? has encouraged other after-school program providers to consider a more collaborative approach to programming. 2

Fall Recap Omaha Reads Omaha Public Library celebrated its 11th annual Omaha Reads campaign with Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park. More than 170 people attended an appearance by Rowell at W. Dale Clark Main Library on Sept. 8. Other programming included comic and zine workshops conducted by The Union for Contemporary Art, and an Rainbow Rowell and fans anti-bullying presentation by the group RESPECT. The programs reflected themes addressed in the book. Eleanor & Park was checked out 1,190 times.

Author Visits OPL welcomed several visiting authors during the fall. Individuals of all ages and interests met authors, learned more about the inspiration behind their work, and had copies of their books personally signed. Authors who made appearances this fall included T.A. Barron, Joy Castro, Marilyn June Coffey, Patrick Dobson, Julie Wayne Wiegand book signing Iromuanya, J.A. Jance, Lydia Kang, Lauren Oliver, Timothy Schaffert, Bud Shaw, Jennie Shortridge, Emily St. John Mandel, Douglas Vincent Wesselmann, Theodore Wheeler and Wayne Wiegand.

Culinary Conference More than 160 people attended the fifth annual Read It & Eat Culinary Conference at W. Dale Clark Main Library on Nov. 7. This year’s conference theme was “Celebrating the Midwest plate.” The conference featured Summer Miller, author of New Prairie Kitchen: Stories Samples provided by All Inclusive Catering and Seasonal Recipes from Chefs, Farmers, and Artisans of the Great Plains, and welcomed J. Ryan Stradal, author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest: A Novel. The conference also welcomed Chef Bryce Coulton from the French Bulldog, and Chef-instructor Brian O’Malley from Metro Community College’s Institute of Culinary Arts.

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

Available free of charge to local artists and art groups for exhibitions throughout the year. Exhibits are displayed for approximately one month and are scheduled 12 months in advance.

Dec—Public Public curated by Alex Priest Public Public examines space in public places through the lens of art, and architectural interventions and investigations. Featuring a range of mediums, the exhibit proposes alternative dialogues to the spatial configurations that dictate contemporary civic environments.

OPL debuted its aptly named “Bump, Set, Read!” sand volleyball team in fall 2015. For six Wednesdays in September and October, a ragtag team of library employees met at O’Leaver’s on 50th & Saddlecreek for some friendly competition and lots of laughs.

Jan/Feb—A Couple of 830 Mile Long Conversations by Stuart Chittenden, curated by Alex Priest

Opening reception Fri | Jan 8 | 4-6 pm Stuart Chittenden spent August 2015 traveling Nebraska in an RV to engage with the state’s residents. His project sought narratives that define and unite us. Chittenden set up public conversation spaces and talked with residents about their lives, cultures and stories. This exhibition will feature photographs of the people and places that represent the Nebraska voice encountered in this project. As part of the exhibition, QR codes/web links will be used with the image of a person, which will tie to associated audio derived from the conversations. During the opening reception, Chittenden will present an artist lecture

Andrea “Andie” Rising, the proprietor of the Bean Broker Coffee Shop and Pub in Chadron

sharing what he discovered about Nebraska, and its communities and people. The public will be engaged in a conversation about the project and invited to reflect about their communities, landscapes and stories. Visit 830Nebraska.com to learn more about the project. The project is funded in part by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and is sponsored by the Omaha Creative Institute.

New Year, New Business If you’ve considered going into business for yourself but need help getting started, attend the New Year, New Business series presented by OPL and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Registration is required.

Take the Mystery Out of SBA Loans

Small Business Resources

Staff Spotlight

“We wanted to organize something for staff to have fun and get to know each other a little better,” said library specialist Danielle Schultz. Though the team didn’t have a winning season, they were happy to improve from week to week. “I enjoyed the comradery with coworkers. I really loved meeting other teams and people,” said library specialist April Earl. Team members also welcomed support from other library staff and their pets. “I loved our fan club— both the people and the animals,” said library specialist Kendall Beck. They plan to play again and hope for an even better outcome in the future. “We’ll have to push harder next season and continue to have fun!” said Immigrant and Refugee Services Coordinator Adrian Gómez Meza.

Recursos Para Pequeñas Empresas Tues | Jan 19 & Feb 16 | Noon South Omaha Library

KidSpot

Costume Characters Berenstain Bears

Enjoy stories & activities with children’s book characters. Don’t forget your camera!

Sat | Dec 5 | 10 am | Benson Mon | Dec 7 | 10:30 am | Abrahams Tues | Dec 8 | 10:30 am | Saddlebrook Wed | Dec 9 | 10:30 am | Sorensen Thurs | Dec 10 | 10 am | Elkhorn Sat | Dec 12 | 10:30 am | Swanson

TeenSpace Teen Poetry Bash Cash for Your Words

Sat | Dec 12 | 1:30 pm | Main Library

Prizes 1st place: $100 2nd place: $50 3rd place: $25

Doors open at 1 pm. Registration required.

Join us for the 15th annual Teen Poetry Bash! Bring two of your original poems to perform as slam poetry or read aloud. This event will feature Louder Than a Bomb coaches from Nebraska Writers’ Collective as the judges and emcees.

Schedules subject to change; visit omahalibrary.org for updates.

Baby & Me Storytime Every Thursday | 10:30 am | Saddlebrook Branch Tiffany Laux started bringing her daughter Nina to Baby & Me storytime at Saddlebrook Branch when she was just three months old. As Nina’s first birthday approaches, you will still find the two of them at storytime every week. “We make storytime a priority,” Laux said. As a stay-at-home mom, Laux wanted to find an activity that allowed Nina to interact with other kids, and provided her with the opportunity to meet other moms. Storytime was a great fit.

Grades 8-12

“It’s different each week,” Laux said. “Some things stay the same, but there are always new stories, songs and rhymes to keep it fresh.” The storytimes have been beneficial to both mom and baby. Nina is learning new early literacy skills and learning not to be intimidated or scared around other children. Laux has made friends with whom she and Nina socialize with outside of the library. “Some parents may feel apprehensive about adding another activity to their schedule, but the time we’ve spent at Baby & Me storytime is worth it.” For a full schedule of storytimes, visit omahalibrary.org.

Writing Contest

2015 Winners

Young writers in grades 5-8 are invited to submit their original works of fiction to the Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) for the 2016 Virginia Frank Writing Contest. Contest participants are asked to select a character from a book they enjoyed and feature that character in their essay. Entries will be accepted through March 4, 2016. Winners will be notified in the spring and honored at a celebration at W. Dale Clark Main Library on April 24, 2016. The top three winners from each grade will receive cash awards: $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. The school libraries of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes. The contest is named in memory of longtime University of Nebraska Omaha English professor and FOPL volunteer Virginia Frank.

For contest requirements, visit omahalibrary.org/teenspace.

Thank You & Congratulations to our Retirees

Their combined service to the City of Omaha and OPL add up to almost 100 years. Regina Dale After more than 27 years with the City of Omaha, facilities supervisor Regina Dale retired from Omaha Public Library on Nov. 6. Having previously worked for the City in the fire, finance, personnel and technology departments, Dale started working at OPL on New Year’s Eve in 2007 as a library specialist. During her first day on the job, she was asked to assist in the facilities department of the library a couple days a week, which turned into her full time job. The position has offered Dale a variety of challenges and the opportunity to work on projects that most people don’t think about when it comes to the library. “I liked seeing things run smoothly and knowing that I had a part in it,” Dale said. Dale decided to retire so she could enjoy some other activities while she is still “young at heart and healthy.” She will work part time at the church she has attended since she was a baby – a place she was already volunteering some of her free time. She also plans to get more involved researching her family genealogy using some of the digitization and organizational processes she’s picked up at OPL. Though Dale has much to look forward to in retirement, she will miss the people she has developed friendships with at OPL and getting to see all of the things the library offers put into action each day.

Linda & Mary’s Retirement Party | Dec 30 | 3-6 pm | W. Dale Clark Main Library Linda Trout

Mary Griffin

“I love being a librarian.”

Becoming a librarian never occurred to Mary Griffin before she graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with an English degree. She actually wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but had faith that she would find a job. Griffin acquired a paraprofessional position in the school library at Bryan High School. There she worked with a lovely woman who encouraged her to go to library school, and in a year’s time, she had applied and been accepted to the Library and Information Science program at the University of Denver.

Linda Trout has been serving as a librarian for more than 30 years, and on January 1, she will retire from OPL. “It’s time to relax, spend more time with my husband, and travel,” Trout said. Throughout her career at OPL, Trout has served in many roles. She started at OPL in 1985 as an adult services librarian at South Omaha Library. Four years later, she moved to the downtown library to serve in the Business, Science and Technology department as the government documents librarian. Eventually, she was asked to organize OPL’s Summer Reading Club – a job that evolved into the community services manager. In this position, Trout was responsible for everything from planning programming and events to publicizing them, and making sure that OPL has a strong community presence. For that reason, Linda Trout is the first name on many people’s lips when there’s a question about the library. Trout’s current title as community outreach and partnerships manager, a role she has served in since 2011, reflects much of the work she has done throughout her career building relationships. Her impact reverberates not only in the Omaha community, but also within the library system. Often, the most reasonable answer to questions asked among many library staff is, “I don’t know. Ask Trout.” Though retirement will afford her some well-deserved R&R, she will likely receive the occasional phone call with questions that will hopefully remind her that people at OPL love that she is a librarian, too.

After completing her master’s degree in Denver, Griffin returned to Omaha and started working for Omaha Public Library in 1976. Since then, she has served in a variety of roles and moved her way up through the ranks of OPL, serving most recently as interim assistant director. Her career has included collection development, branch supervision, and facilities management – which she particularly enjoyed. “Working on a variety of building and renovation projects was really interesting and fun,” Griffin said.

“I learned a lot, and seeing things come together gave me a great feeling of satisfaction.” Griffin will retire on January 1, 2016 – capping an almost 40-year career at OPL. In retirement, Griffin wants to take a little time just to relax and do some home renovations. Eventually, she would like to get involved with some volunteer work. Most of all, she just wants to enjoy her retirement and take care of herself, much in the same way she’s taken care of OPL for so many years.

Book Sales Swanson Branch | 9101 W. Dodge Rd.

Be a FRIEND! Libraries cannot be built or maintained by today’s tax dollars alone. To ensure the continued excellence and growth of OPL, become a Friend today!

Weekly Sales Thursdays 10 am-3 pm

Monthly Sales 1st Saturday 10 am-3 pm

Friends Annual Meeting & Membership Kick-off Friends, OPL volunteers & guests are welcome.

January 9 | 1-3 pm University of Nebraska Omaha | Community Engagement Center 6001 Dodge St. | Rm. 231 Please complete the form and mail it to: FRIENDS of Omaha Public Library PO Box 6032 Omaha, NE 68106 Questions? Email us at omahalibraryfriends@gmail.com

Alex Kava—member of International Thriller Writers and the Nebraska Writers Guild, and author of Stranded, Fireproof, Hotwire, and many more—is the featured speaker. 2016 memberships and renewals will be available at the meeting. All funds raised directly contribute to the quality of OPL and our community.

The night began with a cocktail and appetizer reception, followed by a screening of the movie and spirited panel discussion. Enthusiastic readers and self-proclaimed film critics constructively discussed whether the book or the film was superior.

Ryan Syrek, Cameron Logsdon, Julie Humphrey

King vs. Kubrick 1877 Society Fundraiser by Wendy Townley

The 1877 Society, the young professionals group created in 2014 by the Omaha Public Library Foundation, launched a new fundraiser on October 29, titled “Animus: Book vs. Film,” at Aksarben Cinema. About 65 attendees gathered for a lively film and book comparison. Up for debate was Stephen King’s 1977 best-selling novel The Shining, versus the 1980 film of the same name directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson. Attendees were encouraged to first read The Shining prior to watching the film. 6

Panelists included Julie Humphrey, youth services manager at OPL, speaking in support of the book; and Ryan Syrek, a film critic with The Reader, speaking in support of the film. Moderating the panel and audience discussion was Cameron Logsdon, a local slam poet and standup comedian, who also teaches for the University of Nebraska Omaha School of Communication. “Stanley Kubrick is a god,” Syrek said at the event. “King may be one of the more popular novelists, but Stanley Kubrick is widely considered the greatest filmmaker to ever live. If King is fun pop music, Kubrick is an opera.” Syrek added, “Although it’s not seen as an intelligent or sophisticated position, I think movies are better than books. Yep, I said it. The fact is, when it comes to art, film leverages more mediums: visual, written, and sound. And while the films we create in our minds from books are seen as better by most, that’s entirely theoretical and reliant on one’s own level of creativity. The emphasis is on the reader, not the artist. When I watch The Shining, I’m watching Stanley Kubrick’s horror movie, not the horror I’m creating for myself when reading King’s book.”

Financial Gifts Received

James & Dawn Hammel Heritage Services Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Jim Kineen Richard & Helen Kelley Oct 23, 2014 – Oct 23, 2015 Michael & Susan Lebens Dianne & Allan Lozier $100,000+ Gilbert M. & Martha H. Hitchcock McCarthy Capital Mike & Nancy McCarthy Foundation Mike & Dana Meyer Peter Kiewit Foundation RBC Wealth Management The Sherwood Foundation Dave & Anne Rismiller $50,000+ Streck, Inc. Anonymous Carol Wang Richard Holland $1,000+ Lozier Foundation Anonymous Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation Aflac $25,000+ Jane Alseth Cox Communications Mary Joy Anderson Carol Gendler Mogens & Cindy Bay Omaha Community Foundation Berger & O’Toole, CPA’s $15,000+ (Bob & Shary Berger) Sokolof Foundation in memory of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Richard Rosinsky Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Weitz Family Foundation Oldfather Julie & Scott Cobb $10,000+ Carol Ebdon Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Foundation First National Bank Hawks Foundation James Fogarty & Dr. Nancy Fogarty McGowan Family Foundation Fraser Stryker PC LLO The Soener Foundation Friedland Family Foundation Ann & Kenneth Stinson John & Jean Hartwell $5,000+ Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Peg & John Heck Kate & Neil Holstein Foundation Daniel & Kari Kinsella Bluestem Prairie Foundation Milton & Marsha Kleinberg Sandy & Kate Dodge Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Humanities Nebraska Dan & Tina Lonergan Dorothy Peters Mary & Rodrigo Lopez Runza The Todd & Betiana Simon Foundation Maggie & Michael McMeekin Mutual of Omaha Companies Tenaska, Inc. Murray & Sharee Newman $2,000+ Performance Auto Group Barbara Bock-Mavis Prof. Winifred & Dr. Lewis Pinch John & Lynne Boyer Sandy Price Stephen & Anne Bruckner Mary Anne & Bruce Ramge Deloitte & Touche LLP Barbara & Ronald Schaefer John & Terri Diesing Stephen & Karen Swartz Greater Omaha Genealogical Society United Way of the Midlands Giger Foundation Union Pacific Giveplus Program

Sarah Watson Wally & Barbara Weitz Philip & Nancy Wolf

$500+

Anonymous (2) Alvine & Associates, Inc Jean & Mohammad Amoura-Odeh Lise Anderson Lynn & Thomas Ashby Sydney Cate Chipotle Mexican Grill Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Maurice & Cora Conner Mark & Teri D’Agostino Nancy Darst Joseph Drugmand Eclectic Book Club Devin Fox, M.D. Lance & Julie Fritz Mike & Wanda Gottschalk John & Janis Haggstrom Harold & Clara Hoover Sandra Jenkins Kathy Katt Bill Kernen Dave & Vicki Krecek Kutak Rock Linda Lavely Edward & Carrie May Michael & Deborah McLarney Mid Month Book Club John & Merrilee Miller Jim & Bobbie Montequin Heidi Moser Mike & Sigrid Moylan Rochelle & Jim Mullen Bo & Beth Ochsner Peggy Payne Ann Rinne Nancy Rips Greg & Sue Rusie John & Ruth Sage Jill Slosburg-Ackerman Paul & Annette Smith Gloria Sorensen Christine & Tony Swerczek Red & Jann Thomas Stanley & Dorothy Truhlsen Jim & Maureen Waldron Mary Wampler WebEquity Solutions

$250+

Anonymous Doug & Cathy Aden Trent Allen Aon Marcia Bechtel Michael & Michelle Berlin George & Kathleen Bigelow Gary & Beth Bowen Matt & Sara Boyd Richard & Carol Britten Dick & Carole Burrows H.L. Clure Stewart & Lisa Dale Kennard & Marcia Davies Bethany DeCarolis Robyn Devore Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Ms. Mary Beth Flanagan Thomas & Nancy Gallagher Thomas Gehl Steven Godoy Lynn & Cindy Gray Mike & Kathy Gross Sarah Haddad Deryl & Ramona Hamann David Harding & Sarah Newman Terry & Linda Haubold Dr. Kris & Mr. Gary Hoffman Jeremy Hogan Andy Holland Bill Honke & Molly Maguire Ann Hosford Edward Hotz & Trish Nipp ICON Foundation Mary R. Jessen Howard Kaslow Emily Kemp Sarah Ann Kotchian Gary & Lucie Long Russell & Mary Ann Manners Catherine Maydew Sue Morris Carl & Andrea Peterson John & Kathleen Ransom Silvia Roffman Rotary-North Rotary-Suburban Rick & Carol Russell Saddlebrook Elementary School PTA Toby & Molly Schropp

Seymour Family Shirley Siebler Jeff & Melissa Simons Thelma Slattery Jane Slezak Friend of Omaha Public Library Foundation Sandra Squires Susan Stalnaker Kenneth & Ellen Stoll Elizabeth Whited Judy & Gale Wickersham Eileen Wirth Mark & Kelly Wolterman Robert & Mary Wright

Honorariums & Memorials

Received July 21– Oct 23, 2015 In Memory of Jane Bean Jeri A. Petersen

In Memory of Olive Blazek Giger Foundation

In Memory of Mrs. Henry Clay Paul & Jane Conley

In Memory of Patrick Esser Martha Grenzeback-Harnik & Nathan Harnik Pamala Janousek Riccardo & Mary Marchio Norma & Cliff Pountney JoAnn Prout Gloria Sorensen Sarah Watson

In Honor of Emily Getzschman Eclectic Book Club

In Memory of William McMahon Ann Underriner

In Memory of Loren Parks John & Anne Nelson

In Memory of Dominic P. Tripp Thomas & Linda Nipper

In Honor of Jim & Maureen Waldron Mary Ann Krogh

Humphrey was prepared to counter Syrek’s arguments. “Wow, does the book handle the characters so much better!” Humphrey said. “The characters are so much deeper and more engaging in the written world. I am still deciding who to attribute the blame for the movie to: Kubrick, the casting director, or the actors themselves. I spend most of the movie actually actively wishing dopey-Wendy would just hurry up and die, and Jack doesn’t have far to go to be crazy since he starts out as mentally unstable.” Humphrey added, “If Kubrick truly wanted us to believe that the true monsters are in us, and everyday situations like being lost in a hedge maze with a crazy person are scary enough, then why even try to include supernatural elements? Kubrick should have been able to pull off a movie about how scary people are, without the cheesy blood waterfall from the elevator, or the supposed ghosts of Grady’s girls, or the almost comical ending.”

Kenley Sturdivant-Wilson

Autumn Pruitt & Jessica McKay

Following comments from the audience and closing arguments from Syrek and Humphrey, a vote was taken. Team Book won, although many attendees voted in favor of the film. Event proceeds were donated to OPL. Visit 1877society.org for more information on the 1877 Society and the Omaha Public Library Foundation.

Jara Sturdivant-Wilson & Elizabeth Easton

Drew & Elisa Davies

HOURS & LOCATIONS

215 S. 15th St. / 402.444.4800 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . 7:30 AM - 8 PM * FR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 AM - 6 PM * SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 6 PM * 7:30 AM - 10 AM Limited services, first floor only

MILTON R. ABRAHAMS BRANCH

5111 N. 90th St. / 402.444.6284 ______________________________________ MO, TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 9 PM FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 6 PM

BENSON BRANCH

6015 Binney St. / 402.444.4846 ______________________________________ _______ TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 8 PM FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM SU & MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

BESS JOHNSON ELKHORN BRANCH

2100 Reading Plz. / 402.289.4367 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 8 PM FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

FLORENCE BRANCH

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage

215 S. 15th St. Omaha, NE 68102

W. DALE CLARK MAIN LIBRARY

PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Thur | Dec 31 7 pm

Main Library open 6-8 pm

Watch the show from the Library’s east windows.

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 & TH . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 9 PM FR, SA, & SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM

SADDLEBROOK BRANCH

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

A.V. SORENSEN BRANCH

Use your OPL card to gain access to Consumer Reports for FREE.

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

omahalibrary.org/resource-center

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 ______________________________________ _________ TU, WE & TH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 AM - 8 PM FR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 AM - 6 PM SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM SU & MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

CHARLES B. WASHINGTON BRANCH

2868 Ames Ave. / 402.444.4849 ______________________________________ _______ MO, TU & WE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 8 PM TH, FR & SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 AM - 6 PM SU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

Speed Dating

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

Fri | Feb 12 | 7 pm Sun | Feb 14 | 1 pm *Age 50+

Hours subject to change.

Main Library

Jane Austen Tea Sat | Dec 12 | 2-4 pm Main Library

Early Literacy & Health Calendar Pick up a complimentary calendar at your local branch today.

Bring your favorite teacup and join us for light English fare and a talk by Jennifer Hamilton,“The Dance Revolution in the World of Jane Austen.” In addition, enjoy dancing from Old Dominion Dancers. Participation is welcomed.

Find love at the library! Calling all singles to join us for our 7th annual Speed Dating event. Singles can register in age groups from 25-40ish, 35-48ish, and 50 and better.* Speed dating is a fun and easy way for singles to meet many potential dates in one evening. Participants will each have three minutes to chat with a potential match, and if two people mutually indicate interest in each other, they will be given information to schedule a real date on their own. Another match made at the 2015 event resulted in an engagement. Will you be next? Register online at omahalibrary.org, or contact Amy Mather at amather@omahalibrary.org or 402.444.3399.