OPL Connect Newsletter Volume 29 • Issue 2 • Summer 2022

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

Volume 29 • Issue 2 • Summer 2022

all ages presented by the Richard Brooke Foundation

Free!

June 1-July 31, 2022 Receive a free book when you register!

Complete any combination of 10 activities or reading/listening hours to receive a(n): • Book • Voucher for a book from the Friends of Omaha Public Library book sale • Omaha Storm Chasers ticket voucher

Complete any combination of 10 activities or reading/listening hours to receive a voucher for a book from the Friends of Omaha Public Library book sale, and have a chance to win additional prizes.

Prizes available June 1, while supplies last.

(for an 8/3 or 8/7 game)

• Chance to win additional prizes

Learn more & sign up at your local Branch or omahalibrary.org.

to our sponsors!

Omaha Public Library is grateful to all the organizations who help make summer reading programming and prizes possible.

Richard Brooke Foundation Adah & Leon Millard Foundation Cox Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation Mutual of Omaha Sokolof Foundation in memory of Richard Rosinsky Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

Friends of Omaha Public Library Omaha Public Library Foundation Completely Kids Diventures Friends of Omaha Public Library Omaha Storm Chasers Papio NRD

Director’s Note When people plan for summer, it’s usually a time to wind down from the usual frenetic pace of life—to kick back, enjoy warm weather, and relax a little. But for a public library, summer is the busiest time of year! This year is no exception, especially since we can offer in-person programs again for Summer Reading Program (SRP)!

What better way to celebrate summer than with this year’s SRP theme: “Oceans of Possibilities!” Join us for a summer filled with music, activities, and events for all ages that will help get you in the swim of things.

Learn about the deep blue when representatives from Diventures visit Omaha Public Library (OPL) branches.

Meet scuba divers and hear fascinating tales of shipwrecks, including Blackbeard’s sunken ship, The Queen Ann, off the coast of North Carolina. Marine biology educator Pat Purkhiser will also present everything you could want to know about sharks and their environment.

For family history researchers, register to hear from speaker Michael John Neill about how to take a deep dive into research and understand the real story behind any document.

If the warmth and sunshine inspire the budding gardener in you, visit OPL’s Common Soil Seed Library! Search the online catalog, select the seeds you want, and have them sent to your local branch.

When summer is all swam and done, we’ll wrap up with a party featuring Jim Gill and the Omaha Symphony String Quartet in the new Gene Leahy Mall!

Stop by to play giant games, explore the climbing wall, and create at the mobile makerspace.

Visit omahalibrary.org to see a full schedule of events at your favorite OPL branch or throughout the city this summer.

Laura Marlane Executive Director

2

Spring Recap Strategic Plan

A draft of OPL’s strategic plan to help guide services and programs in the next three to five years was presented to OPL’s board of trustees for approval during their March meeting. After discussion, the plan was approved, and returned to library staff to develop a timeline and plan for implementation. The plan is available to view at omahalibrary.org.

Baby Chicks

This spring, nine OPL branches partnered with Nebraska Extension in Douglas and Sarpy counties to host egg incubators with chicken eggs that hatched within a month. The eggs were part of a curriculum, “Look Who’s Hatching: Exploring Oviparous (egg-laying) Animals with Young Children.”

As kids observed the eggs in the incubators, they were prompted to think about what animals might come out of them. Guesses included turtles, penguins, snakes, crocodiles, and even dinosaurs.

Young patrons observe eggs in the incubator at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch on March 2, 2022.

Once the chicks hatched from their eggs, many young library patrons submitted suggestions for naming the new feathery friends. Among the names selected were Delilah, Olive, Moose, Cheese, and Albert Eggstein.

Chicks remained in their library homes for a short time before being returned to Nebraska Extension.

Día de los Niños

Día is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. In recognition of this special day, OPL hosted special storytimes, celebrations, and a visit from author and illustrator Yuyi Morales at South Omaha Library. Morales is the author of several children’s books such as “Bright Star,” “Dreamers” and “Just in Case.”

Chicks at Willa Cather Branch wait to go to their new home on March 29, 2022.

Yuyi Morales signs a book for a young patron

Morales read from her books, and patrons had the on April 6, 2022, at South Omaha Library. opportunity to get their personal copies signed and to take photos with the author. More than 30 people attended the event.

New Summer Titles Enjoy these titles being added to OPL’s collection June – August 2022.

Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World

by William Alexander The author traces tomatoes from when they were viewed with suspicion as a poisonous fruit, to being used as a projectile to express displeasure, to becoming the world’s most beloved vegetable.

The Newlyweds: Rearranging Marriage in Modern India

by Mansi Choksi

Three young couples buck against arranged marriages in the pursuit of true love; illustrating the challenges, shame, anger, triumph, and loss their actions and choices set in play.

Nuclear Family

by Joseph Han Set in the months leading up to the 2018 nuclear missile false alarm, a Korean American family living in Hawaii faces the fallout of their eldest son’s attempt to run across the Demilitarized Zone into North Korea.

Facilities Updates

Michael Phipps Gallery

Updates provided were current as of the time this publication went to print.

Due to the accelerated pace of these projects, the status may have changed from what is reported here. The most up to date information can be found at omahalibrary.org/facilities-projects.

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

Downtown Branch & Library Administrative Branch

Work is underway to prepare two new spaces for OPL! The downtown branch at 1401 Jones St. will occupy 30,000 square feet across two floors. The library administrative branch at 3020 S. 84th St. will serve as a space for collection processing and storage, as well as other administrative functions. OPL’s local history and genealogy collection will be available to the public at this site, as well.

Work on preparing and designing for these facilities began following approval of the lease agreements by Omaha City Council on February 1, 2022. On March 15, 2022, HDR Architecture, Inc. was selected by the City of Omaha to provide architectural and engineering services for the downtown branch and the library administrative branch. Library staff have been working with the owner’s representative, Noddle Companies, to provide input to inform the schematic design of the new facilities, as well as inventorying and planning to vacate W. Dale Clark Library this fall.

Central Library

Work toward the exploration and design of a potential new central library at 72nd & Dodge streets continued through the spring. OPL staff at all levels met several times with the design team to discuss their needs, hopes and dreams for a new central library. Community engagement took place through multiple surveys and events, as well as one-on-one interviews with community partners representing a variety of viewpoints and community services.

Next steps include sharing a preliminary design for the OPL board of trustees to review and approve, as well as a community share out and presentation to Omaha City Council. Once there is a commitment from Library and City leadership, Heritage Omaha will determine next steps.

Learrn more abouth this project at omahacentrallibrary.org.

Things We Do in the Dark

by Jennifer Hillier Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, and her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future. She must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.

Exhibitions are selected for the year from call-for-artist applications in the early fall.

May/June: Collective Memory Mary Ensz, Judith Snyder, Holly Tharnish & Kathleen Van Lieu Books, libraries, and the power of story weave in and out of every piece in this exhibition. Take time to browse and see if you recognize your own story within.

Light at the Edges

by Kathleen Van Lieu

Mary Ensz takes the words, images and labels we apply to ourselves and teach our children ‘off the shelf’ for a close inspection and a careful dusting.

Judith Snyder uses ceramic sculptures to evoke the strong bond that comes Stargazer by Judith Snyder from storytelling together. Holly Tharnish draws upon childhood memories and shared stories to craft wistful, fairytale works. Kathleen Van Lieu’s works are each inspired by particular books and celebrate the refuge and community of a library.

July/August: Bear Witness Daniel Castaneda, Ally Karsyn, Jair Rodriguez & Jacqueline Washington Opening reception: Fri | July 8 | 4 pm

Daniel Castaneda, aka Sedra D’, connects motion and memory, Cosmic Rabit by Daniel Castaneda and culture and knowledge in his work, standing on firm roots and Indigenous heritage. Ally Karsyn brings a transformative, interactive project inviting viewers to plant a hope for future growth and aspiration.

Jair Rodriguez paints for the power of story to connect across generations, reflecting community experiences in community spaces.

Jacqueline Washington Louie M’s Burger Lust by Jair Rodriquez takes inspiration from a historic moment to call for justice and change.

Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden: Two Sisters Separated

by China’s Civil War

by Zhuqing Li

Together, these artists combine into a perfect send-off for a community art space. Experience their work and share in the final exhibition in the Michael Phipps Gallery.

Sisters separated by war forge new identities as they are forced to choose between family, nation, and their own independence.

This exhibition was crafted by the artists. Exhibitions at the Michael Phipps Gallery at OPL are dedicated to celebrating the connection between art, literacy, and the power of story. We encourage you to spend time in reflection and conversation around these works.

Find more new and on-order titles at omahalibrary.org.

3

KidSpot

TeenSpace Escape Rooms

Costume Characters Enjoy stories & activities with children’s book characters.

Don’t forget your camera!

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

Pout Pout Fish

June 10 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 14 June 15 June 16 June 17

10:30 AM . . . . . . Elkhorn 10 AM . . . . . . . Sorensen 2 PM . . . . . . . . . . . Main 10:30 AM . . Saddlebrook 10:30 AM . . . . . . . Benson 10:30 AM . . . . Abrahams 10:30 AM . . . Willa Cather 10:30 AM . . . . . . . Millard

Tues | July 19 | 1, 2 & 3 pm Elkhorn Branch Thurs | July 21 | 4 pm Washington Branch Fri | July 22 | 1:30 & 2:30 pm Swanson Branch Ages 12-19, registration required.

Titanic Escape Room Bermuda Triangle Escape Room Fri | June 3 | 1:30 & 2:30 pm Fri | June 10 | 10:30 am Swanson Branch Saddlebrook Branch Thurs | June 9 | 1, 2 & 3 pm Mon | June 27 | 3:30 pm Florence Branch Main Library Thurs | June 16 | 1 & 2 pm Thurs | July 7 | 1 pm Millard Branch Sorensen Branch Thurs | June 23 | 4 pm Mon | July 18 | 2 pm Washington Branch Benson Branch Fri | July 8 | 10:30 am Saddlebrook Branch Tues | July 26 | 3:30 pm Willa Cather Branch Trials of Wizardry Escape Room Thurs | July 14 | 1 & 2 pm Millard Branch

Penelope the Dinosaur

July 8 10:30 AM . . . . . . . Elkhorn July 9 10:30 AM . . . . . Swanson July 10 2 PM . . . . . . . . . Millard July 11 10:30 AM . . . . . . . . . Main July 12 10:30 AM . . . . . . . Benson July 13 6 PM . . . South Omaha

En Español

July 14 10:30 AM . . . . . . Florence July 16 10:30 AM . . Saddlebrook

Out & About Storytimes June & July 2022

Join us at different parks and places in the Omaha metro area for storytime. This program is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome to join in the fun. Rain or shine, we’ll be there!

See full schedule at omahalibrary.org.

Volunteer Spotlight: Janet McCrae When Janet McCrae started volunteering at Benson Branch in 2008, paying tribute to her family was at the forefront of her mind.

Many years ago, McCrae’s sister wanted to volunteer in a library as a terminally ill cancer patient. Unfortunately, after a few weeks of volunteering, the library in her town told McCrae’s sister that they could not use her. This was very upsetting, and McCrae remembers her sister calling to tell her about it. While this experience could have left McCrae with a bad impression about volunteering in libraries, she decided to try it as a way to honor her sister. Though McCrae lives in the Florence area, she chose to volunteer in Benson because her mother had lived near the Benson Branch and spent a lot of time at that library.

After nearly 15 years of volunteering, McCrae still enjoys her work shelving books and magazines each week. Benson Branch staff appreciate McCrae’s reliability and energy.

“Janet comes in every week, shares a lovely story or two with us, and then gets right to shelving lots of adult new books and fiction. She is amazing and a great source of help,” said Benson Branch Manager Jennifer Jazynka.

4

In addition to her volunteer work, McCrae enjoys the people she meets at the library.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know the staff and many of the regular patrons,” said McCrae. “We discuss books and I get a lot of great recommendations from them.”

McCrae is an avid reader, belongs to two different book clubs and has an extensive home library. She loves a good mystery, but also enjoys historical books, which comes as no surprise since McCrae was a former English and history teacher in Omaha Public Schools. She also makes sure to read “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A. A. Milne every year because she still gets a chuckle out of it!

When not reading and volunteering, McCrae also enjoys gardening and taking care of her lawn. She attends tai chi classes twice a week and is very involved with her church.

McCrae recommends volunteering, especially at Benson Branch.

“The staff will really work with you to find a good spot for you doing something that you’re comfortable doing,” she said.

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

Juneteenth Flag Raising & Celebration of U.S. Military Veterans

Staff Spotlight: Adrián Gómez Meza

Sat | June 4 | 11:30 am-1 pm Charles B. Washington Branch

When Adrián Gómez Meza first moved to the United States from Mexico at age 15, he fell in love with public libraries and how they work in this country.

Born in Tenamaxtlán, Jalisco, Gómez Meza was used to libraries that were not necessarily user-friendly. Libraries in his town were often not open, had a very limited selection, and created many barriers to borrowing a book.

OPL is honored to host the 2022 Juneteenth Nebraska flag-raising presentation and luncheon honoring military veterans. A small exhibit on loan from the Great Plains Black History Museum featuring historical photos and memorabilia of local Black troops will be displayed inside the library through the month of June.

“Libraries here have a lot more freedom,” said Gómez Meza. “They are able to meet needs and evolve as the community changes.” This is one of the reasons Gómez Meza applied for a job with OPL as a junior in high school. He started working as a library page at South Omaha Library, shelving books and helping patrons to log on to computers. It didn’t take long before he was promoted to a clerk, and then a part-time library specialist working with teens – a position he held for seven years.

Virtual Author Visits  Kids

 Teens

R Registration required

Virtual Author Visit  R Tues | June 7 | 4 pm Online event Watch Party  Tues | June 7 | 3:30 pm Willa Cather Branch

One of the most successful programs that Gómez Meza introduced during this time was video game nights. The program became so popular that there were often waitlists of teens who wanted to attend. He realized that many parents used the program to incentivize their teens to do better in school or at home – allowing them to attend if they kept up their grades or completed their chores.

An especially proud moment for Gómez Meza was when a teen came to show him his high school diploma, and credited OPL for helping him to graduate. The student shared that he was permitted to attend game nights if he maintained good grades, and that motivated him to commit to his school work with fervor.

Virtual Author Visit  R Wed | June 15 | 2 pm Online event

Gómez Meza enjoyed his work with teens, and when he was ready for a change, he applied for a full-time library specialist position. In this role, he shared library programs and services with immigrants and refugees in the community through outreach and community engagement, and spoke to individuals representing a variety of backgrounds, languages and cultures.

Many of the people he encountered had grown up with libraries similar to the one he knew in his childhood. It was important for Gómez Meza to not only tell people about how libraries here are different, but also to build relationships and trust, and to show that what he was saying was true.

Watch Party  Wed | June 15 | 2 pm Abrahams Branch R Elkhorn Branch R Washington Branch

Gómez Meza still works with immigrants and refugees, though since the beginning of the pandemic, outreach efforts have lessened. You can now find Gómez Meza at Millard Branch. Because this is the busiest OPL location in Omaha, Gómez Meza wears a lot of different hats, but all of the work he does involves helping people find what they need.

Tues | June 7 | 4 pm Millard Branch Washington Branch

© Erielle Bakkum

Virtual Author Visit  R Wed | July 27 | 1 pm Online event Watch Party  Wed | July 27 | 1 pm Elkhorn Branch R Millard Branch Saddlebrook Branch Washington Branch

“I learn from patrons and co-workers everyday,” he said. “I might not know anything about what someone is looking for or needs, but I become a student on the topic to find the answers.”

Gómez Meza stays busy with his work at the library, but still finds time to enjoy some hobbies outside of work, including Mexican folkloric dancing, exercising, and traveling. Gómez Meza and his dancing partner have danced many times at library events, and he hopes to be able to do more of that in the future.

This year, Gómez Meza celebrates 20 years of service to OPL. Join us in congratulating him on this career milestone. On behalf of OPL staff and patrons, we hope Gómez Meza will continue his work at OPL for many more years!

5

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.

“Just Mercy” Author Bryan Stevenson to Headline 2022 Fundraiser The Omaha Public Library Foundation will welcome "Just Mercy" author Bryan Stevenson for its 2022 fundraiser. Between the Lines with Bryan Stevenson will take place on Wednesday, September 28.

2022 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest Winners This 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.

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 1st – Josslyn Linger

Seventh grade winners 1st – Ashmiza Shaik

2nd – Lia Castro

2nd – Kailey Hennessey

Trinity Classical Academy

Millard North Middle School

West Dodge Station Elementary

3rd – Michael Rusch

St. Pius / St. Leo School

Sixth grade winners 1st – Parthiv Modulla

St. Pius / St. Leo School

Ashmiza Shaik (center) and school administrators

Swanson Elementary School

Eighth grade winners 1st – Claire Aguilar

Christ the King Catholic School

2nd – Milo Lee

2nd – Charlotte Cullum

Holy Cross Catholic School

Millard Central Middle School

3rd – Mya Bryant

Elkhorn Ridge Middle School

3rd – Luke Sewell

Christ the King Catholic School

3rd – Nora Barth

Milo Lee

St. Vincent de Paul School

This year’s contest had 402 total entries, representing 124 fifth graders, 147 sixth graders, 59 seventh graders, and 72 eighth graders from 90 Douglas and Sarpy County schools, and 15 different school districts and homeschools. Additionally, 41 ZIP codes were represented.

Special thanks to this year’s judges: Hannah Amrollahi, Denise Arnold, Dottie Bossman, Bob Frank, Sharon Larson, Sharon Leuschen, 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.

6

Ticket prices are $75 (general admission) and $125 (patron).

Bryan Stevenson is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama. Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill, and aiding children prosecuted as adults.

Stevenson has argued and won multiple cases at the United States Supreme Court, including a 2019 ruling protecting condemned prisoners who suffer from dementia, and a landmark 2012 ruling that banned mandatory life-imprisonmentwithout-parole sentences for all children 17 or younger.

He led the creation of two highly acclaimed cultural sites which opened in 2018: the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. These new national landmark institutions chronicle the legacy of slavery, lynching and racial segregation, and the connection to mass incarceration and contemporary issues of racial bias. Visit eji.org to learn more.

The event will also feature the presentation of the 2022 Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award, which recognizes longtime service from a Foundation volunteer. Previous honorees include Barbara Bock-Mavis (2017), Jim Kineen (2018), Eileen Wirth (2019), Freddie Gray (2020), and Dick Kelley (2021).

Event proceeds from Between the Lines with Bryan Stevenson will support Omaha Public Library programs and services.

For more information, please contact the Omaha Public Library Foundation at foundation@omahalibrary.org or (402) 444-4589.

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), Elaine Weiss (2020), and Yaa Gyasi (2021).

Learn more at omahalibraryfoundation.org.

Financial Gifts Received

April 1, 2021—March 31, 2022 $100,000+

Claire M. Hubbard Foundation The Sherwood Foundation

$50,000+

Holland Foundation

$30,000+

Anonymous Richard Brooke Foundation Peter Kiewit Foundation William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation

$20,000+

Hawks Foundation Lozier Foundation The Adah & Leon Millard Foundation Sokolof Foundation in Memory of Richard Rosinsky Webster Family Foundation Weitz Family Foundation

$15,000+

Anonymous Baumstark Giving Account The Heider Family Foundation Amy L. Scott Family Foundation

$10,000+

Lee Bachand Collective For Youth Cox Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Foundation Friendship Program Michael & Deana Liddy Dan & Tina Lonergan Mammel Family Foundation Fred & Eve Simon Charitable Foundation Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation

$5,000+

Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Foundation Bluestem Prairie Foundation Ike & Roz Friedman Foundation Harold & Clara Hoover

Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Richard Kelley John & Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation Michael & Susan Lebens Allan & Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation Metro Omaha Medical Society Foundation Mutual of Omaha Pacific Life Foundation Silvia Roffman Jill Slosburg-Ackerman Paul & Annette Smith The Soener Foundation Elizabeth Summers Tenaska, Inc. Eileen M. Wirth

$2,000+

Michael & Laura Alley Barbara Bock-Mavis Marianne Bruner Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather Cox Business John & Terri Diesing Joseph Drugmand Heritage Services Humanities Nebraska Mike & Susan Lebens Marty Magee Steve Martin & Amy Haddad Mike & Nancy McCarthy Maggie & Michael McMeekin Nebraska Arts Council Sage Family Fund Dennis & Patricia Wiederholt

Katie Bruno J. Richard Burrows Leilani & Ron Coe Deloitte Dollar General Literacy Foundation First National Bank Friedland Family Foundation Carol Gendler Jo Giles Mike & Wanda Gottschalk Great Plains Communications David Harding & Sarah Newman Theresa Jehlik Milton & Marsha Kleinberg Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Jeff Kosse Dave & Vicki Krecek Karen & Jim Linder Gary & Lucie Long Marilyn Marsh Tulani & Othello Meadows Morey & Quinn Rochelle Mullen Shirley & Daniel Neary Phyllis & Bob Newman Justine Petsch Lewis & Winifred Pinch Sandra Price RBC Wealth Management Anne & David Rismiller David & Nola Schettler Jane & Robert Slezak Red & Jann Thomas West O Fitness Phil & Nancy Wolf

$500+

Anonymous Doug & Cathy Aden Anna Applegate $1,000+ Zac Baer Anonymous Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C. George & Kathleen Bigelow Richard & Carol Britten Jane Alseth Bobbie Carlson Mary Joy Anderson Roberta Carlson Atredis Partners Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Bay Family Foundation Julie & Scott Cobb Blair Freeman Robert & Jill Cochran Maria Brookhouser Maurice & Cora Conner Fund Stephen & Anne Bruckner Nancy Darst

Roy & Gloria Dinsdale DMSi Lynn & Cindy Gray Bill & Ann Hall Deryl & Ramona Hamann Dawn Jensen Noreen Johnson Howard & Gloria Kaslow Dan & Kari Kinsella Roland & Jean Mariucci John & Merrilee Miller Morrissey Engineering Sharee & Murray Newman Fund Jane Petersen Susan Petersen John & Kathleen Ransom Ann Rinne Rotary-Suburban Emily & Joshua States Susan Vosburg Sarah Watson

$250+

Anonymous (5) LuJean Allen AmazonSmile Foundation Jo Anne Amoura Amy Armbruster Lynn & Thomas Ashby Marcia Bechtel Evelyn Bingel Jeffrey Boyum Thad & Sharon Call William Chaney Gary & Lisa Choquette Tim Davlin & Ann O’Connor Tony & Claudia Deeb Linda & Charles Duckworth Max & Elizabeth Engel Rebecca Evans Mary Ferer Mary Ann & Daren Folchert Thomas & Nancy Gallagher David & Joan Haas Traci Hancock Terry & Linda Haubold Lori Hedstrom Ronald & Linda Hospodka Stephanie Iwan Flamme Merritt Keiser

Emily Kemp Kiewit (Kiewit Employees Charitable Match) Erwin & Elaine Klabunde Marc & Joan Kraft Jane Kugler & Doug Vonderfecht Joseph & Molly Lang Andrena MacLeod James & Patricia Manion Moshman Family Foundation Diana Nevins Mrs. Frank Partsch Norma & Cliff Pountney Danielle Rozmus Greg & Sue Rusie Joseph & Mary Scholl Shirley Siebler Deborah Smith-Howell Vance Taylor Jonell Tempero Jon Tritsch Union Pacific Giveplus Program Union Pacific Fund for Effective Government Jim & Maureen Waldron Anna Wastell Linda Wedberg-Kraft & Robert Kraft Brad & Ashley Wedeking

Honorariums & Memorials Received

April 1—March 31, 2022 In Honor of Jack Donovan Lisa Swalwell

In Memory of Benjamin Goodrich Anonymous

In Memory of Mary Hart Tara Houlihan

In Memory of Evelyn Kletke Richard D. Brown

In Honor of Pig Lady Anonymous

In Memory of Harry Leffler Hertz Farm Management Inc Maureen Moluf

7

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

End of Summer Party with Jim Gill

Library Night with the

Sun | July 31 | 2-4 pm

Gene Leahy Mall | 1302 Farnam St Celebrate the end of the 2022 Summer Reading Program with a family concert along with a climbing wall, a gaga ball pit, giant games, a mobile makerspace, on-demand custom reading lists, and other park play structures. A few lucky winners will receive a copy of a Jim Gill book.

Wed | Aug 3 | 7 pm or Sun | Aug 7 | 5 pm Kids and teens who reached their Summer Reading Program goals can redeem their voucher to watch a game with other super readers!