Connect News from Omaha Public Library • OPL Foundation • Friends of OPL
Seed Library Locations Benson Branch
Seed Library
As spring nears, it’s a great time to start thinking about what plants to grow in your garden and what seeds can be sourced from Omaha Public Library's (OPL) Common Soil Seed Library! OPL cardholders have embraced the seed library, which was established in 2013. In 2019 alone, use increased by 31 percent over 2018, boosted by the addition of a fourth Common Soil collection at Millard Branch. Paul Christopherson, OPL’s urban gardening librarian, has also worked to distribute seeds to other OPL locations, so that they may be displayed for patrons to browse and take home on the spot. Cardholders may check out up to 10 seed packets from the Common Soil Seed Library each month. Seeds do not need to be returned and are not subject to library fines and fees.
Varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs can be viewed and placed on hold in OPL's online catalog. Germination information and planting instructions are available for each seed type at the seed library locations, or by request at any branch help desk. Patrons may also suggest that OPL purchase any seed varieties that aren’t stocked, either in person at any location or at omahalibrary.org. Christopherson encourages patrons to look through the full selection of seeds and to give growing plants from seeds a try this year, even if gardening is new to them. “You never know, people might learn they have a green thumb,” Christopherson said.
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
Conjure Women by Afia Atakora
This wise and witty novel examines what happens to the witnesses of a shooting and how their lives overlap in unexpected ways.
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True (As Told to Me) Story by Bess Kalb Kalb recounts the life of her great-grandmother, who was unapologetically opinionated.
6015 Binney St. 402.444.4846
Elkhorn Branch
2100 Reading Plz. 402.289.4367
Millard Branch
13214 Westwood Ln. 402.444.4848
South Omaha Library
2808 Q St. 402.444.4850
Gardeners are advised to read the growing instructions carefully, as some plants must be started earlier in the year to reach their full maturity by growing season. If anyone would like help with garden planning in person, Christopherson encourages them to visit him at Benson Branch or email pchristopherson@omahalibrary.org to schedule a meeting.
New Spring Titles A mother and daughter with a shared talent for healing--and for the conjuring of curses--are at the heart of this dazzling first novel.
Volume 27 • Issue 1 • Spring 2020
Coffeeland: One Man’s Dark Empire and the Making of Our Favorite Drug by Augustine Sedgewick Hear the surprising story of how coffee came to be one of the most valuable commodities in the history of global capitalism, the leading source of the world's
most popular drug, and perhaps the most widespread word on the planet. All Adults Here by Emma Straub Straub tells a deeply satisfying story about adult siblings, aging parents, high school boyfriends, middle school mean girls, the lifelong effects of birth order, and all the other things that follow us into adulthood, whether we like them to or not. Request your own customized book list at omahalibrary.org and select Custom Reading List under the Services tab.