OPL Winter Connect Newsletter 2017

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

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Director’s Note Fall Recap

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Volume 24 • Issue 4 • Winter 2017

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New Year, New Business Volunteer Spotlight

Holiday Hours

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KidSpot & TeenSpace Staff Spotlight

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Friends of OPL OPL Foundation

Holiday Happenings

Dec 24-25 - All locations closed Dec 31 - All locations close at 6 pm

(Main Library open until 8 pm for fireworks)

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 even visits with Santa!

Registration may be required for some events. Visit omahalibrary.org or call the hosting location for more information.

Jan 1 - All locations closed

Holiday Music Holiday music by George Walker Thurs | Nov 30 | Noon | Millard Branch

Piano students of Maestra Mirela Mlynska

Holiday music by Cecilia Jensen Sat | Dec 9 | 10:30 am | Willa Cather Branch

Vocals & harp by Grace Spath Wed | Dec 13 | 4 pm | Abrahams Branch

Joyce Miller’s Bit of Bronze bells

Sat | Dec 2 | 1 pm | Millard Branch

Thurs | Dec 14 | Noon | Millard Branch

Holiday harp by Anita Jaynes

Jazz piano by Robert Glaser

Tues | Dec 5 | 6:30 pm | Millard Branch

Recommended Reads The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin A sweeping novel of remarkable ambition and depth, “The Immortalists” probes the line between destiny and choice, reality and illusion, this world and the next.

Song of a Captive Bird

by Jasmin Darznik A spellbinding debut novel about the trailblazing poet Forugh Farrokhzad, who defied Iranian society to find her voice and her destiny.

Fri | Dec 15 | Noon | South Omaha Library

Timekeepers: How the World Became Obsessed with Time

by Simon Garfield A vivid exploration of the ways we have perceived, contained and saved time over the last 250 years, narrated in a highly inventive and entertaining style.

commit. An insightful look into the lives of people who are bound and separated by forces beyond their control.

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck to Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want

by Jesse Mecham “You Need a Budget” counsels An American Marriage by Tayari Jones readers on how to prioritize Newlyweds Celestial and Roy, financial goals, reduce stress through the living embodiment of strategic cash flow allocations, and meet the the New South, are settling challenges of unplanned expenses. into the routine of their life Request your own customized book list at together when Roy is sent to omahalibrary.org and select Custom Reading List prison for a crime he didn’t under the Services tab.

Director’s Note Maybe it’s my New England roots that always have me turning to “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” to see what the winter weather has in store for us.

Fortunately, this winter is supposed to be milder than normal, meaning there are no excuses not to enjoy all of the programs Omaha Public Library has in store for the holidays!

Listen to live holiday music concerts at many locations, or drop by W. Dale Clark Main Library for the Wells Fargo Family Festival to decorate cookies, visit with Curious George, and listen to storytime. Visit the “Events” page on omahalibrary.org to learn more about making a fun, ugly holiday sweater craft or gingerbread house, attend an ice princess party or Kwanzaa feast, and so much more!

In the event of cold, snowy nights, visit your local library branch to stock up on things to read and watch while you stay cozy at home. If you have new eReaders or tech toys to play with this holiday season, visit the OPL website to download the Overdrive and MyOPL apps. Find books of the print, digital and audio variety to read or listen to on your snazzy new devices.

Get on track to start a new adventure in the New Year with OPL business programs. Learn about startup basics, explore what it means to own your own business, and find out how you can finance that new business.

On behalf of everyone at OPL, we wish you safe, warm and happy holidays!

Fall Recap Omaha Reads Omaha Public Library celebrated its annual Omaha Reads campaign and Nebraska’s sesquicentennial with local author Jonis Agee’s “The Bones of Paradise.” The novel is set in the unforgiving Nebraska Sand Hills in the years following the Massacre at Wounded Knee. The story that unfolds is filled with mystery, heartache and grit, with two women and their families at the center of it all.

OPL offered complementary programs including presentations by author and University of Nebraska – Lincoln professor Joe Starita; retired Lakota Studies, English and Writing professor from Sinte Gleska University in South Dakota, Joyzelle Gingway Godfrey; and a book discussion and signing with author Jonis Agee. More than 180 people attended four programs, and “The Bones of Paradise” was checked out more than 380 times during the Omaha Reads campaign.

Author Jonis Agee

Storyteller Joyzelle Gingway Godfrey

Holocaust Survivor Speakers Series OPL partnered with the Institute for Holocaust Education to present a four-week series featuring Holocaust survivors now living in the Omaha area. The events were very well-attended, and following the first event at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, where the crowd exceeded the capacity of the space, OPL staff worked to find solutions to accommodate the larger crowds. Despite the space challenges, the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from Milton Kleinberg, Lila Lutz, Bea Karp and Kitty Williams was an eye-opening experience for many.

Stacy Hoefer attended because she and her boyfriend had recently read a lot of nonfiction works about concentration camps and ghettos during WWII. “While what we read was horrifying, listening to someone who lived through this evil was mind numbing,” said Hoefer.

“It was especially difficult to hear the evil perpetrated against small children at the time. History cannot be forgotten.” Many in attendance shared their own memories with the survivors, and still others offered kind words, flowers and hugs. KIOS recorded the talks and will air them during future programming.

Holocaust survivor Kitty Williams

Attendees at a Holocaust survivor program

Holocaust survivor Lila Lutz

Leigh Bardugo Laura Marlane Executive Director

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New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo’s Midnight Tales Tour stopped in Omaha on October 2, at OPL’s Millard Branch. In cooperation with The Bookworm, OPL welcomed Bardugo in celebration of her recent release, “The Language of Thorns.” Joining Bardugo in discussion was Omaha’s own bestselling author Rainbow Rowell. More than 160 people attended the event and were able to meet the author and have their books signed.

a fan with author Leigh Bardugo

Authors Leigh Bardugo & Rainbow Rowell

Michael Phipps Gallery

New Year, New Business

Main Library | 1st Floor 215 S. 15th St. Available free of charge to local artists and art groups for exhibitions throughout the year. Exhibits are displayed for one or two months, and scheduled 12 months in advance through an open application process.

January—Variable Gain by various artists

curated by Omaha Creative Institute Opening reception Fri | Jan 5 | 4-6 pm

Each year, Omaha Creative Institute’s Artist INC brings together 25 Omaha-area artists for eight weeks to share skills, evaluate work, and build communities of peers. To mark the completion of the most recent cycle, Variable Gain will look at chance as a point of departure to assess the generative qualities of experimentation, failure and self-reflection. Included works will reexamine, reformat and re-contextualize creative risks through the editing process to open a space for thoughtful discussion, observation and evaluation.

February—Making a Difference by Eddith Buis Opening reception Fri | Feb 2 | 4-6 pm Omahans make a difference every day. Buis will present illustrated portraits of individuals from various backgrounds, professions and walks of life to demonstrate the diversity of Omaha’s change agents, each making contributions in ways that only they can. This exhibition is the artist’s way of thanking people in Omaha who she feels “care about others and who are doing their best to make this city a good place to live.”

Volunteer Spotlight - Angel Johnson Every Monday, Milton R. Abrahams Branch hosts two storytimes--Toddler Storytime at 9:30 a.m. and Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m.

Each event features different stories, songs, activities and sometimes crafts, making it a busy couple hours for Children’s Librarian Melanie Webb. Fortunately, she’s received some extra help in the last year since Angel Johnson began volunteering.

“There are so many components to getting a storytime together that take a lot of time, so if I can get help with some of the duties, it’s beneficial and extends our resources,” Webb said.

Johnson lives near Abrahams Branch and decided to volunteer on her one day off to help others enjoy their library experience.

“I just like helping people,” Johnson said.

She arrives at the library at 9 a.m. to help ensure storytimes go smoothly. While Johnson’s efforts benefit each storytime attendee, Webb says that having an extra set of hands has been a godsend to her as well, especially when there are large crowds.

In the year that she has volunteered at the branch, Johnson has helped dress costume characters for special storytimes, prepared and helped with crafts for over 40 families, and helped Webb make sure all the pieces are in place for storytimes. Johnson encourages anyone interested in volunteering at Omaha Public Library to try it, because “it helps everyone out, it’s only a couple hours [or however many you can spare] each week, and you may actually enjoy doing it.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at OPL, visit your neighborhood branch or omahalibrary.org/volunteer for an application and more information.

OPL and the Small Business Administration will offer a series of free workshops for new small business owners and those who dream of starting their own business.

Participants will evaluate their readiness to start a business, learn about opportunities to fund or grow their business, and find connections to mentors, resources and information to equip them for success. Registration is required. View the events online at omahalibrary.org or call the hosting branch for more information. All programs will be 90 minutes long.

Start-Up Business Basics

Thurs | Jan 4 | Noon Elkhorn Branch

Business Ownership Exploration

Thurs | Jan 11 | Noon Millard Branch

Financing Your Business

Thurs | Jan 18 | Noon Abrahams Branch

Crowdfunding for Businesses

Thurs | Jan 25 | Noon Benson Branch

Facebook Business Basics

Thurs | Feb 1 | Noon Benson Branch

Pricing Your Goods & Services

Thurs | Feb 8 | Noon South Omaha Library

Business Marketing Strategies

Thurs | Feb 15 | Noon Swanson Branch

Federal Contracting

Thurs | Feb 22 | Noon Washington Branch

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Holiday Gift Guide Pre-K Bear’s Merry Book of Hidden Things by Gergely Dudás Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin The Giant Jumperee

KidSpot

Early Literacy Calendar

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cy Early Literar Calenda

Pick up a complimentary calendar at your local branch today.

by Julia Donaldson & Helen Oxenbury

It’s Shoe Time! by Mo Willems

& Bryan Collier

Jingle Bells by Susan Jeffers Say Zoop! by Hervé Tullet XO, Ox: A Love Story

by Adam Rex

Elementary Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties

by Dav Pilkey

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling How To Be an Elephant: Growing Up in the African Wild by Katherine Roy My Journey to the Stars

by Scott Kelly

Costume Character Dinosaur (How Do Dinos)

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

Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 29 Jan 31 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 3

10 am.........Saddlebrook 10:30 am..............Sorensen 10:30 am................. Millard 10:30 am......... Willa Cather 10 am.................Elkhorn 10:30 am...............Florence 10 am.................Benson

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

TeenSpace

Nutcracked

by Susan Adrian

Wishtree

by Katherine Applegate

York: The Shadow Cipher

by Laura Ruby

Teens Flame in the Mist

by Renée Ahdieh

Miles Morales: Spider-Man

by Jason Reynolds

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen Once and For All by Sarah Dessen Renegades by Marissa Meyer What Light by Jay Asher

Teen Poetry Bash Cash for Your Words

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

Sat | Dec 2 | 1:30 pm | Main Library

Check-in begins at 1 pm. Registration required.

Celebrate your creativity at the 17th annual Teen Poetry Bash. Teens in grades 8-12 are invited to perform original works of poetry in slam-poetry style or read aloud. Top-scoring contestants in the first round will advance to the second round and be eligible for cash prizes.

Louder Than a Bomb (LTAB) coaches from Nebraska Writers’ Collective will serve as the judges and emcees of this event.

Teens are encouraged to prepare for the event, and brush up on their poetry and performance skills during monthly workshops at library locations throughout the city. LTAB coaches and visiting performance artists lead these workshops.

For more information or to register, visit omahalibrary.org.

Special thanks to the Friends of Omaha Public Library for helping to make this event possible.

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Grades 8-12

2nd Saturdays | 1:30-3:30 pm Bring your creativity and your interest in slam poetry to these workshops.

Jan 13 | Millard Branch Feb 10 | Washington Branch Mar 10 | Abrahams Branch Apr 14 | Swanson Branch

Staff Spotlight Debra Paris Of the more than 260 people employed by OPL, Youth Library Specialist Debra Paris probably spends the least amount of time in any of OPL’s 12 branches. That’s because Paris works out of the Learning Community Center of North Omaha (LCCNO) as a liaison between OPL and the North Omaha community that it serves.

The LCCNO, a part of the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties, focuses on early childhood education and family engagement. Working with community partners including OPL, Omaha Public Schools, the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative and Lutheran Family Services, LCCNO works to combat poverty and its impact on learning among children and families with programs like its Parent University and childcare training initiatives.

Paris says that promoting OPL resources at LCCNO can go a long way in helping people find success. On any given day, she could spend time signing up new patrons for OPL cards, helping adults prepare resumes and cover letters, educating people about OPL’s digital resources and how to access them, checking out books from the LCCNO’s book collection, and traveling to schools and childcare centers across North Omaha to read stories to children.

“Providing and opening up a world of books and other things that OPL offers is very important, especially because we’re making all of it readily available to a clientele who maybe would not make use of it otherwise,” said Paris.

Virginia Frank Writing Contest Young writers in grades 5-8 are invited to submit their original works of fiction to the Friends of Omaha Public Library for the 2018 Virginia Frank Writing Contest. Contest participants are asked to select a character from a book they read on their own and create an original work of fiction featuring that character. Entries will be accepted through March 2, 2018. Winners will be notified in the spring and honored at a celebration at W. Dale Clark Main

Since she started as the point person in OPL’s partnership with the LCCNO two years ago, Paris has gone from being a part-time to a full-time staff member as a result of her increasingly busy schedule. While she initially made regular visits to host storytimes with pre-kindergarten classes at two local elementary schools, this year she also began making biweekly visits to six North Omaha schools, where she meets with at least four classrooms of Pre-K students.

Library on April 29, 2018. The top three winners from each grade will receive cash prizes: $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 Friends volunteer Virginia Frank.

“This partnership gives OPL greater reach in the community,” said Julie Humphrey, OPL Youth and Family Services Manager. “Debra is making a lot of one-on-one contact with families and parents and working with them on a more regular basis than we’re able to at most of our library locations.”

Whether it’s a mom studying at the LCCNO library for a CNA exam while her baby plays on the ladybug bean bag, or a family of immigrants who sign up for their first library cards, Paris says she takes pride in helping connect people to the many valuable resources OPL has to offer.

For contest requirements, visit omahalibrary.org/teenspace.

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Be a FRIEND! Book Sales

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!

Swanson Branch | 9101 W. Dodge Rd. Weekly Sales Monthly Sales Thursdays | 10 am - 3 pm 1st Saturday | 10 am - 3 pm

Annual Meeting and Membership Kick-off Saturday | January 13 | 1-3 pm

University of Nebraska Omaha, Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center 6001 Dodge St. | Rm. 230-231

Friends members, OPL volunteers, guests and members of the public are all welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.

New York Times and international bestselling author of the “Maggie O’Dell” and “Ryder Creed” series, Alex Kava, will be the featured speaker.

Memberships and renewals for 2018 will be available. All funds raised directly contribute to the quality of OPL and its impact on our community.

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

1877 Society Writing Contest Winners Announced For the third consecutive year, 1877 Society invited Omaha-area writers in their forties and younger to submit unpublished prose and poetry for its annual writing contest.

Personal essays and short stories under 5,000 words were submitted in the prose category; and writers also submitted poems of under three pages in the poetry category. Entrants were permitted to submit in both categories if they wished.

The winning poem and prose entry each received a $500 cash prize. A third, $250 prize was awarded to the best work (either poetry or prose), as selected by the judges panel.

The following three winners were announced October 4, during the monthly Literary Pub Quiz at Pageturners Lounge.

Prose: Milkweed Elegy (personal essay) by Patrick Mainelli Poetry: Elegy for J by S.R. Aichinger Judge’s Choice: Any Time You Like (short story) by Bryant Holmes Omaha World-Herald columnist Erin Grace chaired this year’s writing contest. The judges panel also included Dirk Chatelain, Omaha WorldHerald sports reporter; Joe Hoover, poet and playwright; Micah Mertes, Omaha World-Herald film reviewer; and Rebecca Rotert, local novelist.

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Film Wins for First Time at ‘Animus’ Fundraiser 1877 Society hosted its third annual fundraiser, “Animus: Film vs. Book,” on October 19, at Aksarben Cinema.

About 50 attendees gathered for a lively film and book comparison. Up for debate was the novella “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote (first published in 1958) versus the 1961 film of the same name, directed by Blake Edwards and starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard.

The night began with a cocktail and appetizer reception, followed by a screening of the movie and a spirited discussion.

Enthusiastic readers and self-proclaimed film critics constructively discussed whether the book is superior to the film (or vice versa). Attendees were encouraged to read “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” prior to watching the film.

Karen Pietsch from Omaha Public Library spoke in support of the book; and Ryan Syrek, a film critic with The Reader, spoke

Financial Gifts Received

October 23, 2016 – October 23, 2017 $50,000+

Holland Foundation Claire M. Hubbard Foundation The Sherwood Foundation

$20,000+

Anonymous (2) Richard Brooke Foundation Lozier Foundation Weitz Family Foundation William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation

Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather Deloitte First National Bank Devin Fox, M.D. Lance & Julie Fritz Giger Foundation James & Dawn Hammel Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Gary & Lucie Long Rochelle Mullen Lewis & Winifred Pinch RBC Wealth Management Paul & Annette Smith Streck, Inc. StrategicHealthSolutions

$1,000+

Arun Agarwal Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C. $10,000+ Mary Joy Anderson Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Foundation Mogens & Cindy Bay Immanuel Vision Foundation Benson Neighborhood Association Dianne & Allan Lozier Berger & O’Toole, CPAs The Todd & Betiana Simon Foundation (Bob & Shary Berger) Sokolof Foundation in memory of Michael & Michelle Berlin Richard Rosinsky Stephen & Anne Bruckner Elizabeth Summers Dick & Carole Burrows $5,000+ Julie & Scott Cobb Anonymous John & Terri Diesing Bluestem Prairie Foundation Nancy Ford Cox Communications Fraser Stryker PC LLO NP Dodge / Sandy & Kate Dodge Friedland Family Foundation Gilbert M. & Martha H. Hitchcock Carol Gendler Foundation Jo Giles Humanities Nebraska John & Janis Haggstrom Michael & Susan Lebens Deryl & Ramona Hamann Sally Mae McFarland Estate Peggy & John Heck Maggie & Michael McMeekin Kate & Neil Holstein Metro Omaha Medical Society Harold & Clara Hoover Mike & Dana Meyer Edward Hotz & Trish Nipp Mutual of Omaha Companies Sandra Jenkins Pacific Life Foundation Richard & Helen Kelley Amy L. Scott Family Foundation Jim Kineen Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation Dan & Kari Kinsella Tenaska, Inc. Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Union Pacific Foundation Dan & Tina Lonergan $2,000+ Deborah Macdonald Alvine & Associates, Inc Russell & Mary Ann Manners Best Buy Foundation Mark & Dianne McMillan Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Murray & Sharee Newman Foundation Phyllis & Bob Newman Barbara Bock-Mavis Omaha Community Foundation

in support of the film. Matt Tompkins, creator of “Omaha Live,” moderated the discussion.

“Seeing so many passionate fans of the movie turn out made for an incredible night,” Syrek said. “The way that the film has resonated with women in particular made the discussion particularly insightful.”

Syrek added, “Although the crowd went for the film, I was most moved by Karen’s arguments and think she actually won. Her analysis of why Truman Capote’s work was more vital and authentic completely won me over.”

Pietsch made no bones about her dislike of the film.

“When I first watched ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ I admit I was bored. I was unfamiliar with the novella and I thought of it as another classic romance movie, which is not my genre,” Pietsch said. “However, after reading Capote’s story, the movie made me mad.”

Pietsch added, “Ultimately the movie brushes aside all of the pain that Holly and the narrator feel in service to a Hollywood happy ending. In the book, Holly is a society girl in over her head experiencing

RDG Planning & Design Dave & Anne Rismiller Silvia Roffman Kathy & Chad Roum John & Ruth Sage Security National Bank D. David & Martha Slosburg Stephen & Karen Swartz Red & Jann Thomas Valmont Industries, Inc. Carol Wang & Jim Phillips Sarah Watson Webster Family Foundation Meredith & Drew Weitz Dennis & Patricia Wiederholt Philip & Nancy Wolf

$500+

Anonymous (2) Doug & Cathy Aden Jean & Mohammad Amoura-Odeh Lise Anderson Lynn & Thomas Ashby Jeb & Pat Bock Monte S. Bradberry Anne & Brian Branigan Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Maurice & Cora Conner Mark & Teri D’Agostino Stewart & Lisa Dale Nancy Darst Hal & Mary Daub Joseph Drugmand Carol Ebdon Eclectic Book Club Mike & Wanda Gottschalk Lynn Harland John & Jean Hartwell Jeanette Hilton Pamala Janousek Dave & Vicki Krecek Le Jardin Garden Club Laura Marlane Heidi Moser Sandra Price John & Kathleen Ransom Ann Rinne Nancy Rips Greg & Sue Rusie Shirley Siebler Christine & Tony Swerczek Telugu Samiti of Nebraska United Way of the Midlands Bruce & Susan Vosburg

Eileen M. Wirth

$250+

Anonymous (2) AmazonSmile Foundation Jo Anne Amoura Jo Bartikoski George & Kathleen Bigelow Richard & Carol Britten June Carlson Bobbie Carlson James & Anne Carroll Sydney Cate Lou & Ellie Clure Leilani & Ron Coe Kennard & Marcia Davies Tim Davlin & Ann O’Connor Thomas & Nancy Gallagher Lynn & Cindy Gray Terry & Linda Haubold Stephanie Iwan Flamme Chuck Jahren Theresa Jehlik Jennifer & Chris Jerram Barbara & Adam Karpf Howard & Gloria Kaslow Katie & Justin Kemerling Emily & Philip Kemp Marc & Joan Kraft Marty Magee Roland & Jean Mariucci Stephanie McClellan Gail McFayden Sharon L. McGrath Mid Month Book Club John & Merrilee Miller Diana Nevins Ilka Oberst Peggy Payne Norma & Cliff Pountney Mary Anne & Bruce Ramge Todd Robinson Rotary Club of Omaha--North Rotary-Suburban Saddlebrook Elementary School PTA The Soener Foundation Gloria Sorensen Susan Stalnaker Pete & Mary Lou Stehr Mark Thalken & Katie Wadas-Thalken Bill & Joan Truhlsen Union Pacific Giveplus Program Judy Vann Jim & Maureen Waldron

anxiety alone in New York City, and a young, semi-closeted gay writer is fascinated by her brashness. They’re afraid of being poor, afraid of being alone. These are all touching, relatable, authentic feelings that are wholly left out of the movie in favor of style and romance. If you’d rather live in the New York of ‘Sex and the City,’ I don’t blame you for liking the movie. Everyone needs a fantasy romance sometimes. I’d take Capote’s truer version of life any day, though, because his storytelling has the right mix of sincere feeling to stir the heart.”

Mary Wampler Katie Weitz Nicole & Ted Wheeler Judy & Gale Wickersham Larry Zier

Honorariums & Memorials Received

July 22 – October 23, 2017 In memory of Dr. Anil K. Agarwal Carol Ebdon

In Honor of Luella Buse Gloria Sorensen

In Memory of Erland A. Carlson June Carlson

In Memory of William “Bill” Carter Gloria Sorensen Sarah Watson

In Honor of Mary Henriksen Gloria Sorensen

In Memory of Phyllis Hilton Jeanette Hilton

In Memory of Herb Hollenbeck Jillian McGranaghan

In Memory of John Housley Donna Fintel

In Honor of Anne Hubbard Mary and Rodrigo Lopez

In Honor of Dianne Lozier Mary and Rodrigo Lopez

In Memory of Sally Mae McFarland Sally Mae McFarland Estate

In Honor of April Nedved Gloria Sorensen

In Memory of Richard E. Peterson, Jr. Deb Barelos Gloria Sorensen

In Honor of JoAnn Prout Gloria Sorensen

Animus fundraiser attendees

Following comments from the audience and closing arguments from Syrek and Pietsch, a vote was taken. Team Film won for the first time in the fundraiser’s three-year history.

Event proceeds were donated to OPL to benefit adult literacy, programs and services.

Event sponsors were Aksarben Cinema and Oxide Design. Visit 1877society.org for more information on the 1877 Society and the Omaha Public Library Foundation.

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HOURS & LOCATIONS

215 S. 15th St. Omaha, NE 68102

W. DALE CLARK MAIN LIBRARY

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage

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

PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818

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

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

Omaha Star Archives

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

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

Now available at OPL!

Through the generosity of the Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation and more than 200 Omaha Gives donors, the Omaha Public Library Foundation has purchased the digital archives of The Omaha Star newspaper (1938-2011) for Omaha Public Library to ensure that this coverage of Omaha’s cultural history is available to all OPL cardholders. Search for and view historic newspaper stories and advertisements for free with an easy-to-use online database. Visit omahalibrary.org and select “Resource Center” from the toolbar to connect with hundreds of articles in their original format.

The Omaha Star, in existence for almost 80 years, is Nebraska’s largest African American newspaper.

WILLA CATHER BRANCH

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

Wells Fargo Family Festival Sun | Dec 3 | Noon-5 pm Main Library

All ages are welcome to enjoy cookie decorating, live holiday music, coloring and storytimes. Meet and take pictures with Curious George and OPL’s mascot Scamper. Every child will receive their choice of a free book (while supplies last).

Jane Austen Tea Sat | Dec 9 | 2-4 pm Main Library

All are welcome for a delightful afternoon in honor of Jane Austen’s 242nd birthday. Bring your favorite teacup and join us for light English fare, and talk by Dr. Cheryl Kinney, “Death and Jane Austen,” as 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death on July 17, 1817.

Register to attend online at omahalibrary.org.

Speed Dating Fri | Feb 9 | 7 pm *Ages 25-45ish Sun | Feb 11 | 1:30 pm *Ages 46+ Main Library

By now, you may have heard of some of OPL’s Speed Dating success stories. Marriages, children, and happily-ever-afters all started at the library. If you’re single and over 25 years old, this could be the beginning of your love story.

Speed dating is a fun and easy way for Omaha area singles to meet several potential dates in one evening. There are four dating age ranges to choose from, and participants select their age range at registration. The following age group selections will be available: 25-35ish; 35-45ish; 45-55ish, and 56+.

Refreshments will be served. A cash bar will be available.

The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required.

Register online beginning January 2, 2018 at omahalibrary.org, or contact Amy Mather at amather@omahalibrary.org or 402.444.3399.