OPL Connect Newsletter Volume 28 • Issue 2 • Summer 2022

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

Volume 28 • Issue 2 • Summer 2021

Tails and Tales take center stage

this summer during the annual Summer Reading Program! Learn, create, explore, and have fun reading all summer long.

Free & open

Summer Reading Program to All ages

Presented by the Richard

Brooke Foundation

Summer is the best time to read for fun and earn great prizes while you’re at it. All ages are invited to participate.

OPL will offer free virtual programs throughout the summer to keep the entire family engaged, entertained and motivated to reach their reading goals.

Visit omahalibrary.org to

register and for the most current information.

June 1–July 31, 2021 Read for fun and enjoy virtual programs!

Kids' and Teens' Program Receive a free book when you register!

Read or listen for 10 hours to receive: • Choice of a clear stadium bag, water bottle, backpack or pencil case • Voucher for a book from the Friends of Omaha Public Library book sale • Omaha Storm Chasers ticket voucher (for an 8/11 or 8/15 game) • Entry into a drawing for additional prizes from The Rose Theater, Swimtastic, Pizza West, and other gift cards

Adults' Program Read or listen for 10 hours to receive: • Choice of a clear stadium bag, water bottle, backpack or pencil case • Voucher for a book from the Friends of Omaha Public Library book sale • Entry into a drawing for gift cards

Prizes available beginning June 1, while supplies last.

Thank You to our Sponsors OPL thanks all the organizations that help to make summer programs and prizes possible.

Presenting sponsor: Richard Brooke Foundation Premier sponsors: Mutual of Omaha, Sokolof Foundation in memory of Richard Rosinsky, Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Additional support from: Omaha Public Library Foundation and Friends of Omaha Public Library In-kind sponsors: Friends of OPL, Omaha Storm Chasers, PizzaWest, Swimtastic, The Rose Theater

Director’s Note

Spring Recap

Summer is here! If the number of seed checkouts from OPL this spring is any indication, people are looking forward to venturing outside again, even if it’s just in the comfort of their own backyard gardens, and there’s still time left in this growing season to check out OPL’s Common Soil Seed Library! Browse available seeds in person at Benson, Elkhorn, Millard, or South Omaha branches, or visit OPL’s online catalog and request to have selected seeds sent to your local branch.

Virtual Book Bash

Of course, summer is all about reading for fun, and this year’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Tails and Tales!” Library programming will remain virtual through the summer and OPL will offer online events for patrons of all ages. Take virtual field trips through OPL’s Out and About Online Storytimes to Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, and many more awesome destinations in and around town.

Join a virtual drawing workshop with author and former Disney artist Kelly Bingham to learn how to draw mythical, crazy creatures.

Participate in virtual escape rooms, crafts, and storytime visits from Spot and Curious George.

Visit omahalibrary.org to register for Summer Reading Program and learn more about all of the exciting programs taking place all summer long! This year, young readers will be rewarded just for signing up, and there will be additional rewards to keep participants motivated to reach their goals.

Throughout this newsletter, you’ll learn about other exciting events, resources and books offered at OPL this summer. OPL truly has something for everyone, including even the most reluctant readers, and summer is the perfect time to explore what the library has in store for you!

Laura Marlane Executive Director

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On February 25, more than 245 people joined OPL staff online to learn about new and exciting books to add to their reading lists. Seven staff members each presented brief book talks on a selection of four to six titles in OPL’s collection, generating a lot of excitement and conversation among participants.

A total of 244 holds were placed on the featured titles during the event, with the most holds placed on “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab. This second-year event was converted to a virtual format due to the ongoing pandemic, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One patron remarked, “So grateful this was put on virtually this year - what a fun event! Thanks for the time you all spent preparing for this and putting it on!” Certainly one advantage to the event being virtual was the ability to accommodate more participants. The previous year, OPL hosted the event at W. Dale Clark Main Library for 76 participants, which was the maximum capacity for the space. Looking to the future, event staff will consider having in-person and virtual components to the event.

National Library Week

Each year in April, libraries of all kinds celebrate National Library Week as a way to recognize the valuable role libraries and library workers play in transforming communities and improving lives. During the week of April 4-10, OPL invited patrons to collect a branch sticker illustrated by Minnesota-based cartoonist Kevin Cannon from their favorite library, and several people took the opportunity to visit all 12 OPL locations.

“I visited all 12 branches and collected a sticker from each one. I had never visited many of the branches before and found them all delightfully different,” said OPL patron Mitch Ernst. “The artwork on the stickers is wonderful. What a great way to celebrate National Library Week! Thank you for this inspiration to get out and visit all 12 branches.”

Local media also found fun ways to recognize libraries, including a profile of one of OPL’s longest-serving employees, Andrew Ireland, a library specialist at A.V. Sorensen Branch. View news coverage at omahalibrary.org/in-the-news.

City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge took place April 30-May 3. This annual international event encourages people to find and document wildlife and plants in and around their cities.

OPL and City of Omaha Parks & Recreation partnered this year to create a series of short videos suggesting ways to participate in our community. Participants also had the opportunity to visit a StoryWalk® in four Omaha parks and win a free copy of “The Nature Connection” by Clare Walker Leslie by posting photos of their City Nature Challenge experiences on social media and tagging OPL. Five lucky winners were selected to receive the book prize.

Videos may be viewed at youtube.com/OmahaPublicLibrary.

The Kolala family explores Hummel Park on March 12, 2021.

Daily Overdue Fines Eliminated OPL has not charged fines on overdue materials since closing its doors in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon OPL’s reopening in September 2020, the board of trustees—the nine-member body which governs OPL—voted to continue waiving daily overdue fines until library operations returned to normal, without restrictions due to Directed Health Measures or capacity limits. During their monthly meeting on March 18, 2021, the board unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to eliminate daily overdue fines permanently.

On the Scene: A North Omaha Retrospective June 12-July 10 Charles B. Washington Branch

A patron uses the self-check kiosk at Milton R. Abrahams Branch on October 21, 2020.

intends to alleviate barriers to using the library and to encourage patrons to return library materials without fear of punitive action. Other fees associated with the replacement of missing items (not returned after 21 days overdue) or damaged materials will still be charged.

“Overdue fines only accounted for a Following the vote, the resolution was fraction of a percent of OPL’s overall sent to Omaha’s City Council for approval. budget,” said OPL Executive Director Laura During the April 27 City Council meeting, Marlane. “This change will not adversely the resolution was unanimously approved. affect OPL’s budget, but it will help to the The action was retroactive, thereby ease the burden of an additional expense waiving previously existing daily overdue during a time when many people are fines on library accounts. working to restore normalcy to their lives.”

The elimination of daily overdue fines

Learn more at omahalibrary.org.

New Summer Titles With Teeth by Kristen Arnett This is a surprising and moving story of two mothers, one difficult son, and the limitations of marriage, parenthood, and love.

The Orphans of Davenport: Eugenics, the Great Depression, and the War over Children’s Intelligence

by Marilyn Brookwood During the Depression, psychologists in Davenport, Iowa, contested the beliefs of their profession and worked with children considered of low-intelligence, rather than abandoning them. This is the account of the doctors whose work changed psychology and childhood development, and laid the foundation for developmental neuroscience.

A Song Everlasting by Ha Jin This urgent, timely novel follows a famous Chinese singer severed from his country as he works to find his way in the United States.

Americanon: An Unexpected U.S. History in Thirteen Bestselling Books by Jess McHugh McHugh examines of what it means to be American through 13 popular books, including reference works and how-to-manuals, such as “Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography,” “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” and “Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book.”

The Secret History of Food: Strange but True Stories About the Origins of Everything We Eat

by Matt Siegel Siegel uncovers the myths, legends and histories of the foods we eat and sometimes obsess over. Be prepared for some surprising plot twists throughout the history of the world.

Each year, Juneteenth Nebraska, Inc. hosts a ceremonial flag raising at Charles B. Washington Branch to kick off a week of This 1940s ad promotes the events celebrating AmVets’ Club as “Omaha’s Ultraand commemorating Modern Club with the Finest Ballroom in the Midwest.” the ending of slavery in the United States. This year’s ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 12, at 11:30 am, during which the Lantern of Hope will be awarded to an individual who exemplifies mentorship, activism, and community involvement in Omaha.

OPL will contribute to the celebration of joy, freedom, and pride in North Omaha by hosting an exhibit featuring historical photos of North Omaha citizens throughout the decades.

Over a dozen historical photos will be on display at Washington Branch through July 10, and community members may view the display during open library hours.

Photos in the exhibit showcase the social scene of North Omaha through the decades including social club members, North O hotspots, former Miss Cotillion winners, Miss Black Nebraska contestants, parades, and more. Though some individuals and locations in the images have been identified, viewers are invited to add to and interact with the exhibit by sharing the names of individuals and locations they recognize.

Images are provided by the Great Plains Black History Museum (GPBHM) and the Charles B. Washington Collection, donated to OPL after Washington passed away in 1986. Special thanks to GPBHM Executive Director Eric Ewing for his help exploring the organization’s archives. This exhibit would not be possible without him.

Betty Davis and Mae Partridge join Charles B. Washington at a dinner held in his honor in September 1942.

Get a book list with recommended reads just for you! Request your list at omahalibrary.org by selecting Find Your Next Read under Services.

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StoryWalk® at Lauritzen Gardens and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

KidSpot 100 Bancroft St.

3701 S. 10th St.

Saddlebrook Branch Manager Julie Humphrey (formerly OPL’s youth and family services manager) first learned about StoryWalk® at a conference in 2015, when the Kellogg-Hubbard Library system began promoting the idea. StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal at Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Mar 15 Apr 30

May 1 June 15

May 1 June 15

June 16 July 31

Humphrey thought it would work well in Omaha, but knew that OPL did not have the capacity or resources to implement it at the time. She thought of it again in 2018 after attending a meeting at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium where organizations were encouraged to propose ideas for community collaborations.

June 16 July 31

Aug 1 Sept 15

Aug 1 Sept 15

Sept 16 Oct 1

By this time, OPL had launched its Partnership Pass Program, allowing library patrons to check out vouchers for free admission to Omaha-area attractions. The Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens participate in that program and Humphrey identified an opportunity to promote literacy in some of the community’s treasured institutions while promoting partner passes at the same time.

Education teams from all three organizations met several times to identify books that had themes to correspond with different exhibits or features at their locations. Getting publishers’ permissions to use titles was challenging, but eventually four titles were selected and made into storyboards by the Zoo’s graphics department.

The project was originally expected to debut in April 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. “This is a wonderful way to celebrate reading and the outdoors at same time,” said Humphrey. “Reading and a love of reading can happen anywhere you are, not just in a library or house.”

Funding for this project was made possible by the Omaha Public Library Foundation, and through grants from the Union Pacific Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Costume Characters Visit Online Storytime Live

Schedules subject to change; visit omahalibrary.org for updates and to register to join us on Zoom!

StoryWalk® boards encourage readers to progress through the story, presenting interactive questions and activities along the way.

Spot

Mon June 14 . . . . . . . . . 10:30 am Tues June 15 . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 am Wed June 16 . . . 9:30 & 10:30 am Thurs June 17 . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 am Fri June 18 . . . 9:30 & 10:30 am Sat June 19 . . . . . . . . . 10:30 am

Curious George

Nests in Tre es

Mon July 12 . . . . . . . . . 10:30 am Tues July 13 . . . 9:30 & 10:30 am Wed July 14 . . . . 9:30 & 10:30 am Thurs July 15 . . . 9:30 & 10:30 am Fri July 16 . . . 9:30 & 10:30 am Sat July 17 . . . . . . . . . 10:30 am

als Some baby anim grow up in nests. .

Baby robin s cheep worm s.

Mom gives them Yum! 5

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move along an d read along with the story! baby robins love worms. what do you like to eat?

Virtual

Kids Book Blast Join fellow children’s book lovers to hear about new and exciting books for children from library staff, and have a chance to win bookish prizes.

WEDNESDAY

JUNE 2 & JULY 14 AT 1 pm Registration is required. Sign up to attend at omahalibrary.org/events.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Sheila Caffrey Growing up in Columbus, Nebraska, Sheila Caffrey walked to the local library with her girlfriends and grew into a voracious reader.

These days she “devours books,” mainly fiction and mysteries, and her local library, now OPL’s Saddlebrook Branch, still serves as a catalyst for her reading.

Caffrey has been a Saddlebrook Branch patron since it opened in 2009. She has volunteered at the branch for nine years, since she retired from her job as a risk manager, giving back to the community in a way she enjoys. “I just love the people here,” Caffrey said. “I usually shelve books and put them in alphabetical order, but I’ve also dusted shelves and will do whatever they ask me to.”

She enjoys helping patrons find books or offering recommendations when she’s asked. Caffrey’s love for the library and her good spirits have made staff as fond

of her as she is of them. While the pause in her volunteering when OPL closed for COVID was less than ideal for Caffrey, she was still grateful for OPL’s curbside pick-up service, which she used regularly to get books.

“I love working with Sheila because of her amazing attitude. Her smile and humor make the day better whenever we see her,” said Katy Lofgren, youth services librarian at Saddlebrook Branch. “She almost always asks if we need her more than her one shift, and has an obvious desire to make Saddlebrook the best it can be.”

Caffrey misses seeing more people in the library and young faces light up at storytimes, but still enjoys being able to contribute her time and energy to her library.

In Memory of Crystal Matz

December 28, 1951 – April 18, 2021

“Crystal made this a better place to work just by being herself,” said W. Clarke Swanson Branch Manager Matt Couch, who worked alongside Matz at W. Dale Clark Main Library.

With more than 40 years of service to OPL, Library Specialist Crystal Matz had done a little bit of everything. Originally hired in 1980 as a librarian at South Omaha Library, Matz worked at a variety of locations and was promoted to a management position in 2005. She retired the following year, but rejoined the OPL team as a parttime library specialist soon thereafter, and worked in that role at Main Library up to her unexpected passing on April 18.

Those who worked with Matz appreciated her attention to detail, resourcefulness, and dedication to the needs of patrons and staff. She especially focused on maintaining the collection and tracking down items that patrons had requested.

“Crystal was always a delight to work with,” said retired OPL Community Outreach & Partnership Manager Linda Trout. “She had good ideas and could think of new ways to get something done or find answers to questions that seemed impossible to answer.”

Matz also had special ways of showing appreciation to her coworkers. “She was a friendly, sweet, and generous person,” said Library Specialist Cynthia Vana. “I helped her a few times with technology issues and she blew me away by reciprocating with a gift of a beautiful floral-on-white needlepoint tea towel she had made. What a stunning gift and a wonderful memory!”

OPL Security Officer Dan Gaskill shared that Matz “was always so quick to say hello,” which, though small, may be one of the many things that will be missed the most as we say goodbye to a treasured colleague and friend.

Staff Spotlight: Michelle Hoffman Retires When Michelle Hoffman began working at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch in 1998, she didn’t necessarily expect to still be there over 20 years later. Hoffman looked for a job in the Elkhorn community once her kids were in school full time. Originally, she pursued a job in travel and tourism, but quickly realized that it wasn’t working well with her schedule. Hoffman had seen a job opening at the library, and though she had volunteered in her church library, she had no other library experience. She decided to apply anyway and was hired. She called the job “a perfect fit.”

Before Elkhorn was annexed by Omaha in 2007, Hoffman wore a lot of different hats at the library – everybody did a little bit of everything. When Elkhorn Branch became part of OPL, she had a more structured role as a library specialist, which involved organizing book clubs, teaching computer classes, creating displays, and supervising library aides, a responsibility which she really grew to appreciate. “I loved to see new staff come in and watch them grow,” said Hoffman. “I also learned that developing others was one of my top strengths.

I didn’t see it in myself, but others did.”

While working at OPL, Hoffman discovered that she learns something new every day – either from patrons or coworkers. “Each day is interesting, fresh and different.” She also loves working in the community where she lives, and often finds she may know the answer to a question just because she’s been there and watched Elkhorn grow right before her eyes. She knows that her position at the library has provided a unique position and platform. “People tell me a lot of things,” Hoffman said. “Whatever they are going through, I can connect them with a resource that can help them.”

Hoffman’s last day with OPL was April 30, and even in retirement, she plans to continue her service to the community. Of course, there are things she wants to do to her home and she’d like to travel more, but she also wants to volunteer with her church and help to organize Elkhorn’s community history, and possibly develop a tour of historical Elkhorn – a perfect marriage of her tourism and library background.

Thank you, Michelle, for your more than 22 years of service at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch.

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Be a FRIEND! 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.

Join the Omaha Public Library Foundation for Between the Lines with Yaa Gyasi the evening of Tuesday, October 5.

2021 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest Winners

The Omaha Public Library Foundation continues to monitor our community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event format – virtual or in-person – along with ticket prices will be announced in the coming weeks.

This past spring, the Friends of Omaha Public Library recognized 12 young people for their excellence in writing. Douglas and Sarpy County students in grades 5-8 received certificates of achievement and cash prizes as part of the annual Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest. School libraries where the winning students attend received matching cash prizes.

For more information, or to be notified when tickets are available for purchase, please contact the Omaha Public Library Foundation at (402) 444-4589 or foundation@omahalibrary.org.

Students wrote an original fiction story featuring a character from a book they had read on their own.

Winning stories are available online at omahalibrary.org/teens.

Fifth grade winners

Seventh grade winners

1st – Beatrix Gabrial Gallagher

1st – Lizzie Swanson

2nd – Emma Zakaras

2nd – Hayden Blaney

Westside Middle School

Swanson Elementary School

St. James/Seton Catholic School

Trinity Classical Academy

3rd – Karen Lichtenberg

Mary Our Queen Catholic School

Beatrix Gabrial Gallagher

Sixth grade winners

1st – Lydia Cahill

Millard North Middle School

Papillion Middle School

2nd – Niharika Kandari

2nd – Sage Moore

Elkhorn Grandview Middle School

Millard Central Middle School

3rd – Ella Wever

3rd – Kairi Kennedy

Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School

3rd – Erica Zhang

Elkhorn Grandview Middle School

Eighth grade winners

1st – Lydia Harlow

Hayden Blaney

Elkhorn Ridge Middle School

This year’s contest was the most competitive yet with 540 total entries, representing 163 fifth graders, 202 sixth graders, 75 seventh graders, and 96 eighth graders from 86 Douglas and Sarpy County schools and 20 different school districts and homeschools. Additionally, 41 ZIP codes were represented.

Special thanks to this year’s judges: Hannah Amrollahi, Dottie Bossman, Bob Frank, Sharon Larson, Sharon Leuschen, Carol Struve, Mary Ann Sturek, and Jeanne Weeks.

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime former Friends volunteer.

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2021 Fundraiser to Feature Author Yaa Gyasi

Gyasi is the author of the highly acclaimed debut novel “Homegoing” and a recipient of the National Book Foundation’s 2016 “5 Under 35” award. Gyasi was born in Ghana and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University and an master’s degree from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she held a Dean’s Graduate Research Fellowship. Her second novel, “Transcendent Kingdom,” was published in September 2020. She lives in Brooklyn.

The event will also feature the presentation of the 2021 Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award, which recognizes longtime service from an Omaha Public Library Foundation volunteer. Previous honorees include Barbara Bock-Mavis (2017), Jim Kineen (2018), Eileen Wirth (2019), and Freddie Gray (2020).

Proceeds from Between the Lines with Yaa Gyasi will support Omaha Public Library programs and services.

Previous authors featured at the annual Omaha Public Library Foundation fundraiser include Margaret Atwood (2014), Wally Lamb (2015), Tobias Wolff (2016), Hope Jahren (2017), Amy Thielen (2018), Angie Thomas (2019), and Elaine Weiss (2020).

Learn more at omahalibraryfoundation.org.

Honorariums & Memorials Received

January 1—March 31, 2021 In Memory of Shirley Clemens

Joyce Jones

In Honor of Jack Donovan Lisa Swalwell

In Memory of Kathryn Drake Jacqueline Quigley

In Memory of Sherry Fitch

Financial Gifts Received

April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021 $50,000+

Holland Foundation Peter Kiewit Foundation The Sherwood Foundation

$30,000+

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

$20,000+

Collective for Youth Hawks Foundation Lozier Foundation Omaha Community Foundation Sokolof Foundation in Memory of Richard Rosinsky

Barbara Bock-Mavis John & Terri Diesing Paul Dietsch Joseph Drugmand Devin Fox, M.D. Helen Grgich (Bequest) James & Dawn Hammel Theresa Jehlik Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Richard Kelley Jim Kineen Allan & Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation Maggie & Michael McMeekin Lewis & Winifred Pinch Dennis & Patricia Wiederholt

$1,000+

Anonymous (3) Mary Joy Anderson Bay Family Foundation Benevity Community Impact Fund Stephen & Anne Bruckner $15,000+ Leilani & Ron Coe Richard Brooke Foundation Friedland Family Foundation The Heider Family Foundation Carol Gendler Pacific Life Foundation Jo Giles Amy L. Scott Family Foundation Peggy & John Heck Webster Family Foundation Harold & Clara Hoover $10,000+ Edward Hotz & Trish Nipp Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation Sandra Jenkins Stanley M. Truhlsen Family Foundation Noreen Johnson Union Pacific Foundation Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Weitz Family Foundation Jeffrey Kosse Dave & Vicki Krecek $5,000+ Gary & Lucie Long Baer Foundation Mark & Dianne McMillan Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Heidi Moser Foundation Rochelle Mullen Kelley Family Foundation First National Bank Dan & Tina Lonergan Phyllis & Bob Newman Mutual of Omaha Companies Great Plains Communications Bluestem Prairie Foundation Sandra Price Silvia Roffman Fred & Eve Simon Charitable Foundation Dave & Anne Rismiller Ruth Sage Jill Slosburg-Ackerman Paul & Annette Smith Elizabeth Summers Streck, Inc. Eileen M. Wirth Red & Jann Thomas $2,000+ Phil & Nancy Wolf 100 Women Who Care Michael & Michelle Berlin

$500+

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C. Jean Amoura Tracie Balvanz Richard & Carol Britten William Brown Katie Bruno J. Richard Burrows Patricia Carlson Roberta Carlson Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Julie & Scott Cobb Completely Kids Maurice & Cora Conner Nancy Darst DMSi Carol Ebdon Mary Ann & Daren Folchert Gilbert Family Mike & Wanda Gottschalk Lynn & Cindy Gray Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Hartman Bob & Kathy Kunkle Roland & Jean Mariucci John & Merrilee Miller Jim & Bobbie Montequin Shirley & Daniel Neary Sharee & Murray Newman Fund Sarah Newman Omaha Jaycees Foundation Omaha Schools Foundation Susan Petersen Norma & Cliff Pountney John & Kathleen Ransom Ann Rinne Rotary-Suburban Emma Savory The Soener Foundation Gloria Sorensen Susan Stalnaker Joshua & Emily States Susan Vosburg Anna Wastell Sarah Watson David Watts Linda Wedberg-Kraft & Robert Kraft

$250+

Anonymous Jane Alseth Lynn & Thomas Ashby Zac Baer Marcia Bechtel Karen Berry Jeffrey Boyum Marjorie & Larry Brennan Thad & Sharon Call James & Anne Carroll Lou & Ellie Clure Robert & Jill Cochran Mark & Teri D’Agostino Stewart & Lisa Dale Tim Davlin & Ann O’Connor Tony & Claudia Deeb Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Julie Driftmier Nils Erickson Pamala Furey Thomas & Nancy Gallagher Howard & Gloria Kaslow Robert Kearney Emily Kemp Erwin & Elaine Klabunde Jane Kugler & Doug Vonderfecht Marty Magee James & Patricia Manion Edward & Carrie May Ann & Gordon Moshman Diana Nevins Sheri Oakes Ilka Oberst Bo & Beth Ochsner Frank Partsch Aja & Ryan Pelster The Salsa Gang Book Club Shirley Siebler Pete & Mary Lou Stehr Vance Taylor Anh Tran Nichole & Kevin Turgeon Judy Vann Jim & Maureen Waldron Kay Weinstein Jane & David Werner Emily Young

Eva Applegate Barbara Bischoff Barbara & Richard Brown Rachel Daneff Kevin Dasher Anthony Fischer Megan Flynn Stacey & Kirk Germany Glowacki Family Julie Johnson Robert Kearney Stephanie & Rondel Korbelik Family of Kirk Lavengood—Scott, Devon, Gregg, Jill & Lori Dale Meyer Richard & Mary Jo Osterholm Kaela & Burt Pumroy Marilyn & William Rishel Tracy & Curtis Schwartzkopf Joe & Judy Shown James Stepp Connie G. Terbrueggen Leone Thompson Sue Van Doren Vicki & Jeff Wiles Suzanne & Gary Wilson

In Honor of Adam Grier Bob & Kathy Kunkle

In Memory of Robert Hasebroock Nancy Rips

In Memory of Marilyn Herman Holly Herman

In Honor of Jessica Johnson Tim Davlin & Ann O’Connor

In Memory of Peggy Mason Matthew Mason

In Memory of Jane O’Brien Heather Ruff

In Memory of Aksel Schmidt Betty & Don Plott

In Memory of Darleen Teten Donald Christensen & Laura Gless Nancy Harms & Gerhart Wehrbein Rosalie & Donald Hitzeman Nancy Johnson Diane & Harold Johnson Darla & Dale Langendorfer Jeannie & Ron Marquardt Marcia Thiessen Mr. & Mrs. Forrest C. Wilson, Jr.

In Memory of Patrick Thompson Marc & Helen Bernat Kay & Richard Braasch Judy Breed Sara Churchill Kristine & Gilbert Fendrick Laurie Gravagna Jennifer Kawecki Elaine Lawler Jo Ann Louck Tom McDermott Colleen Nieland & Family Ted & Sue Paintin Diana Prauner Ann Rosing The Shellberg Family Nancy & Ervin Smith Penny Tramontozzi Joe & Peg Valenta

In Honor of Jim & Maureen Waldron Mary Ann Krogh

In Honor of Malachi & Elijah Wastell Anna Wastell

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215 S. 15th St. Omaha, NE 68102

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage

PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818

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 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

Lynda.com is now LinkedIn Learning! Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Get started today at omahalibrary.org/resource—all you need is your library card and PIN!

Dan Gutman Author Visit Fri | July 30 | 2 pm

Join storytime using the Zoom meeting app.

Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. Explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking and writing in each storytime. Registration is required at omahalibrary.org.

OPL welcomes Dan Gutman, the author who is best known for the popular series, “My Weird School,” as well as the series, “The Baseball Card Adventures.” Gutman will speak about his books and the writing process, how he got started writing, and how you can, too. He will answer questions from the audience and share a chapter from one of his new books. Register and take part via Zoom at omahalibrary.org.

Library Night with the

Wed | Aug 11 at 7 pm or Sun | Aug 15 at 5 pm Kids and teens who reach their Summer Reading Program goals will receive a voucher to watch a game with other super readers!