2023 Reading Challenge
Omaha Public Library (OPL) invites readers to take on a challenge! In 2023, the annual Reading Challenge will be back with 12 themes for participants to tackle once per month, or at whatever pace they’d like throughout the year. As in years past, participants are encouraged to read one book for each of the 12 themes presented to help push them out of their reading comfort zone.
Reading recommendations for each month’s theme will be available at omahalibrary.org. Title suggestions will be geared toward adults, but readers of all ages may participate. Ask staff at your neighborhood branch for age-appropriate suggestions for each theme, or request a Custom Reading List at omahalibrary.org/find-your-next-read
Beginning in January 2023, participants may pick up their very own Reading Challenge notebook (while supplies last) at their local branch, which contains the details of the challenge and a place to track reading throughout the year.
Once completed, participants can either fill out a paper form or submit their entries online for a chance to win a gift card to a local bookstore. Everyone who turns in a paper form or submits the online form will also receive a pin for completing. Challenge participants can share what they’re reading on social media by tagging @omahalibrary on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Find more information at omahalibrary.org/reading-challenge.
New Winter Titles
2023 Reading Challenge Themes
Read a book mentioned on The Book Drop
Read a book about or featuring a real person
Read a book about or featuring LGBTQIA+ history
Read a book about or featuring plants
Read a book about or featuring a movie or TV show
Read a book by a Latine writer
Read a book about or featuring friendship
Read a book about or featuring mental health
Read a book about or featuring music
Read a book from OPL’s Top Shelf lists
Read a book by a Black writer
Read a book about or featuring food
Enjoy these titles being added to OPL's collection December 2022—February 2023.
Jellyfish Age Backwards: Nature’s Secrets to Longevity by Nicklas Brendborg
This book takes a look at the animal kingdom to help expand our understanding of aging.
The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal
Malhotra
This is a debut historical fiction novel about two lovers–one a Hindu perfumer's apprentice, the other a Muslim calligrapher’s apprentice–torn apart by the Partition of India.
Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America's National Parks by Emily Pennington
A yearlong trip exploring national parks becomes a journey of self-discovery.
All the Dark Places by Terri Parlato
The morning after celebrating her husband's 40th birthday at their house, Molly discovers him murdered in his office. The Boston Police Department is convinced that the murderer is someone who celebrated with them the night before. In this suspenseful thriller, Molly isn't sure who to trust or who knows about her traumatic past.
Home Therapy: Interior Design for Increasing Happiness, Boosting Confidence, and Creating Calm by Anita Yokota
The author is a therapist and interior designer who uses both professions to help readers turn their homes into sanctuaries.
To request your own customized book list or book bundle, visit omahalibrary.org and select Find Your Next Read under the Services tab.
Connect
News from Omaha Public Library • OPL Foundation • Friends of OPL Volume 29 • Issue 4 • Winter 2022-2023
Director’s Note
It’s hard to believe we’re coming to the end of another year. This one went by so quickly, especially with the many changes we experienced at OPL in 2022!
Team members moved out of W. Dale Clark Main Library and into new spaces: A downtown Interim Branch at 1410 Howard Street, and the Library Administrative Building (LAB) at 3020 S. 84th Street. The Genealogy & Local History Room (located inside the LAB) houses OPL’s local history and genealogy collections and opened to the public on October 3. Construction on the new Downtown Branch at 1401 Jones Street is progressing nicely, and we look forward to welcoming you to that branch in spring 2023.
As we move into the holiday season, OPL has something to help people get in the swing of things—whether with holiday gift ideas, recipe resources for tasty treats, or a cozy read to help you relax on a wintery day! If the weather keeps you indoors, find plenty to read, watch or listen to in OPL’s collection at omahalibrary.org
OPL’s provider of eBooks and downloadable audiobooks, OverDrive, recently expanded its offerings to include downloadable magazines through the Libby app. Access Freegal to add free music from the Sony catalog to your personal playlist. Kanopy’s streaming service brings thousands of movies, TV series, documentaries, foreign films and classic cinema to your device. Download the app, login with your library card, and create an account to start viewing!
If you’re interested in cooking something amazing for the holidays, find plenty of holiday cookbooks in OPL’s catalog. Browse New York Times Cooking by downloading the app and searching recipes – free with your library card! Whether you’re a novice or advanced cook, you’ll find something tasty for your holiday table.
No matter what your interests, OPL is here for you. On behalf of all of us at OPL, we wish you all a happy and safe holiday season, and a happy New Year!
Marlane Executive Director
Fall Recap
W. Dale Clark Main Library Community Farewell
On August 20, 2022, OPL invited community members to say goodbye to W. Dale Clark Main Library during a farewell celebration. Participants had the opportunity to tour the library, including some “behind the scenes” spaces not normally open to the public. Those in attendance also enjoyed a special storytime, coloring sheets and a scavenger hunt for children, as well as refreshments, a photo booth, and performances by Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason and local musician Jessica Hanson. Patrons shared their stories and memories of the space by writing them upon the walls of the meeting room and on cards created to capture reflections upon what Main Library meant to them. Approximately 650 people attended this event.
Omaha Reads
Each year, OPL encourages the community to vote for and read one book as a way to promote literacy and inspire discussion among Omaha and Douglas County residents. The selection is celebrated with book talks and other related programming. The Omaha Reads selection for 2022 was “The Perfume Thief” by Timothy Schaffert.
OPL offered several programs in September and October, including an author visit at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, book discussions, and a panel discussion of Omaha’s underground queer culture at The Max.
More than 110 people attended the events. Nominations for 2023 titles will take place this winter.
Open House for
Branch
A.V. Sorensen
On October 13, 2022, A.V. Sorensen Branch celebrated branch improvements made earlier this year. Thanks to community support and donations, Sorensen Branch now offers a more efficient and inviting space with new shelving, furniture and an improved children’s space. During the event, participants enjoyed refreshments and activities like thumbprint selfies, a Polaroid picture station, and a game to help them find their next read. Sorensen Branch t-shirts were for sale at the event, and are currently available at the branch in three fun colors. Overall, 70 people joined in the festivities. “This was our chance to say thank you and welcome the community back into our wonderful space," said Branch Manager Autumn Hill.
A family signs up for a new library card at Main Library.
Patrons share memories on the walls of W. Dale Clark Main Library about what the branch meant to them.
Visitors participate in a scavenger hunt during the Main Library farewell party.
Author Timothy Schaffert signs a copy of "The Perfume Thief" at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel on September 11, 2022.
A young patron explores the new and improved children's space at A.V. Sorensen Branch.
OPL Youth Services Librarian Ashley Hamernik and Branch Manager Autumn Hill pose for their version of the "Children Reading on a Log" sculpture.
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Laura
Facilities Updates
Updates provided were current at 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 current information is available at omahalibrary.org/facilities-projects.
Downtown Branch & Library Administrative Building (LAB)
W. Dale Clark Main Library had its last day of service to the community on August 28, 2022. The following day, Interim Branch opened at 1410 Howard Street to ensure that downtown library patrons would have continuous library service during the time between the closure of Main Library and the opening of the Downtown Branch at 1401 Jones Street in spring 2023. Construction on the Downtown Branch continues to progress. Work is underway on window installation, furniture and art procurement, plumbing and HVAC, and much more. Following the public closure of Main Library, library staff and movers from Hallett & Sons Expert Movers, Inc. worked to prepare and pack the contents of the building for relocation to the new Library Administrative Building (LAB) at 3020 S. 84th Street. The move was complete by September 28, and Main Library was turned over for demolition on October 1. On October 3, the new Genealogy & Local History Room at LAB opened to the public. The space houses the Nebraska reference collection (closed stacks), government documents dating back to the 1800s, and microfilms and microfiches, including local newspapers and other periodicals, local history records, and census records. Researchers of all levels are encouraged to visit and learn more about available resources.
New Central Library
Planning meetings regarding the future of the central library resumed in fall 2022. Some of the committees with regularly scheduled communication include the newly formed advisory committee, building stakeholders, and communications and engagement teams. Participants include representatives from OPL’s leadership and staff, the Omaha Public Library Foundation, the architectural design team, the City of Omaha, Heritage Omaha, Do Space and Community Information Trust, and other community members. Next steps involve launching a new facilities master plan for OPL led by Margaret Sullivan Studio.
Resolve to use OPL more in 2023
When making New Year’s resolutions for 2023, don’t forget about OPL! There are so many resources at the library that can help you make good on your goals. Here are a few examples of how OPL can help make 2023 your best year yet!
Read more
Reading is proven to make people happier, less stressed and more empathetic, among other benefits, so it comes as no surprise that people want to spend more time with a good book. Push yourself out of your reading comfort zone by participating in the 2023 Reading Challenge, or get a group of readers together and start your own book club using OPL’s book club bags!
Get organized
Find tips and tricks for decluttering and cleaning using books about organizing in OPL’s collection. If a calendar would help you organize your schedule, pick up a 2023 Early Literacy Calendar at your local branch or request one at your next curbside pickup.
Learn new skills
OPL’s online resource center is full of valuable tools to help you learn skills ranging from new languages to family history. Register for a free six-week online class from Gale Courses. New sessions begin December 14, January 18, and February 15. There are also plenty of books that can help you to learn something new.
Eat healthier
OPL offers a variety of books about healthy eating, as well as cookbooks filled with delicious and nutritious meals that can help you improve your eating habits. You can also sign up for the “Certificate in Food, Nutrition, and Health” class through Gale Courses to help gain a holistic view on food and nutrition.
Save more and spend less
If you haven’t done so already, there’s no time like the present to evaluate your finances and make proactive changes! Focus on your finances by taking in some books on saving money or enroll in one of the personal finance classes on Gale Courses. Utilize OPL’s collection and online resources to save even more. There are some stories, movies and subscriptions that people want to own, but for all the rest, OPL is best!
Whatever 2023 has in store, there are endless ways that OPL can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Don’t forget—staff are available to answer questions via AskOPL online chat at ask.omahalibrary.org or over the phone at 402-444-4800. If you have favorite ways of utilizing your local library, feel free to share a photo or post and tag @OmahaLibrary on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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An OPL patron checks out the Interim Branch on its opening day, August 29, 2022.
Construction on the Downtown Branch continues with an anticipated opening date in spring 2023.
The Genealogy & Local History Room offers resources for researchers of all levels.
A rendering of a potential new central library at 72nd and Dodge streets shares a vision for the future.
Bash
Picture Books
Registration required
Wizard's Winter Escape Room R
Wed | Dec 21 | 1, 2 & 3 pm
Thurs | Dec 22 | 1, 2 & 3 pm Millard Branch
Fri | Dec 30 | 3 pm , 4 pm
Saddlebrook Branch
Tues | Jan 3 | 1:30 & 2:30 pm
Swanson Branch
Chomp, Stomp, Roar, Dinosaurs Galore!
Thurs | Dec 29 | 2 pm Elkhorn Branch
Choose Your Own Adventure:
Magic Treehouse R
Wed | Dec 21 | 2 pm
Willa Cather Branch
Fri | Dec 23 | 10:30 am
Saddlebrook Branch
Wed | Dec 28 | 1 Swanson Branch
Sat | Dec 31 | 1 Benson Branch
Tues | Jan 3 | 1 Millard Branch
Virginia Frank Memorial 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 2023 writing contest.
Contest participants are asked to select a character from a book they have read on their own and create an original work of fiction featuring that character. Entries will be accepted through February 24, 2023.
Winners will be notified in the spring. The top three winners from each grade will receive cash prizes: $100 for first place, $75 for second, and $50 for third. The school libraries of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.
For contest requirements, visit omahalibrary.org/virginia-frankmemorial-writing-contest.
The contest is named in memory of longtime University of Nebraska Omaha English professor and Friends volunteer Virginia Frank.
Elementary
Teen
• Registration Required
Holiday
4
22nd Annual Teen Poetry
Abrahams Branch
Sat | Dec 10 | 1-4 PM
Gift Guide
KidSpot
TeenSpace
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Capybara Is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost
Let's Tell A Story! Jungle Adventure by Lily Murray
The Jessie Files: The Friendship Feature by Stacia Deutsch
Weird But True! World 2023 by National Geographic Kids
Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder & Dan Santat
Just Roll With It by Veronica Agarwal & Lee Durfey-Lavoie
Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Anzu the Great Kaiju by Benson Shum
Gibberish by Young Vo
The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson
Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
Scattered Showers: Stories by Rainbow Rowell
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas
Conversation Kits
It's not always easy to talk to children about challenging topics. Over the past two years, OPL youth service librarians noticed an increase in patron requests for books that could help adults talk to kids about tough issues. In response to these requests, librarians researched and were inspired by work from The Lane Libraries,* and voilà: Conversation Kits were created! Conversation Kits are designed to support families and groups with age-appropriate and kid-friendly resources. Each kit has a themed topic and contains children's books to read aloud, a kit guide, and discussion questions.
Kits are available for check out and can be placed on hold by searching "Conversation Kit" in the library catalog at omahalibrary.org
*Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0
Volunteer Spotlight
Since OPL returned to in-person programming in fall 2021, Zariah Champlin, 14, and her sister Siri, 12, have provided consistent support at library events. “We primarily volunteer at Benson Branch and for the online Teen Advisory Board (TAB),” said Siri, “but we enjoy helping at other branches and supporting all OPL events.”
In pursuit of her dream of becoming a librarian, Zariah applied to volunteer at OPL as soon as she could. She joined TAB, a library program in which members advocate, pilot programs, plan events, and give input. Teens also advise OPL on ideas for the library and promote library services at their schools. “It’s cool that we get to plan events for different people,” said Zariah. “We give ideas and suggestions, and create teen book lists.” Siri also joined TAB in hopes of a new adventure.
While volunteering in person, the sisters support branch programs by helping to set-up and shelving items in the collection. “I enjoy shelving books, it’s fun,” said Zariah. “I feel like I am already a librarian because I can do what I have seen real librarians do since I was a child coming to the library.”
Volunteering at OPL provides Zariah and Siri with a different outlet from their schoolwork and extracurricular activities. “I like helping people and engaging with the library staff,” said Siri. “They are such nice people and it’s so cool to hang out with such a great team.”
"I have had the privilege of working with Zariah and Siri since they were little kids coming to LEGO club,” said Youth Services Librarian Aura Sewell. “They ask good questions about the library and are so fun and warm. I'm so glad to have them as volunteers."
When it comes to volunteering, “Do it,” said Siri. “If you don’t end up enjoying volunteering, that’s okay, but at least try it.”
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at OPL, visit your neighborhood branch or omahalibrary.org/volunteer.
Partner Spotlight: Nebraska Humane Society
As OPL’s outreach department grows, patrons may be surprised to spot library staff promoting OPL services in unexpected spaces. One of the most unique partnerships this year started with a simple request: Could OPL curate a pop-up display of books for children to read to dogs at the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) before the Fourth of July?
“We love to explore new ways we can engage with our community and partners who are making a difference,” explained OPL Outreach Manager Maggie Petersen. “A nonjudgmental ear can be so positive for developing readers. The opportunity to support young people in our community reading to dogs was an obvious yes.”
On July 1, OPL staff were on-site at NHS to explain the activity and register visitors for the Summer Reading Program. After the first session, NHS staff wrote, “It's amazing how calm [the dogs] get when someone reads softly to them - I haven't heard our largest kennel area that quiet in a long time.” Just like that, Furrrst Friday, an OPL and NHS read to a shelter dog event, was born. Traditionally, Read to a Dog programs are collaborations between libraries and registered therapy dogs. A change in environment and audience can help establish an enthusiastic, confident relationship to reading for young people experiencing anxiety about pronunciation and accuracy. “Our Read to a Dog programs at the Florence, Millard, W. Clarke Swanson, and Willa Cather branches are already so beloved by our patrons. Furrrst Friday feels like an exciting extension of those events, with the bonus of supporting our reading culture and community in a new space,” said Outreach Librarian Elly Roberts.
"It makes a lot of sense for us to partner with Omaha Public Library for Furrrst Fridays. After all, the Abrahams Branch is literally in our backyard!" said NHS Marketing Specialist Brendan Gepson. "This partnership is especially great because the kids love it, but so do the dogs. The shelter can be a stressful place for our canine friends, but it’s amazing what a kind voice and a book can do to calm them down."
Growing steadily each month, recent Furrrst Fridays have featured treats for participants to toss to dogs, coloring pages, a bingo challenge, and a donation drive for the shelter’s Pet Food Pantry where participants filled NHS’s famed Puppy Cart to the brim with food and toys for shelter pets. Visitors of all ages are welcome to browse an OPL-curated selection of books, participate in monthly activities, and read to the animals at NHS, 8929 Fort Street, at Furrrst Fridays on the first Friday of every month from 3-6 p.m.
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A NHS visitor reads to a shelter dog at NHS on September
2, 2022.
Siri (right) and Zariah (left) Champlin volunteer at Benson Branch.
Kaylan Guinn & Sarah Mapes
In OPL's mission and vision, library staff embrace the role of the library as a connector – with ideas, information, innovation, and people. Whether providing patrons with resources and reading or creating opportunities to develop valuable relationships, being a (big or small) part of your story is why OPL is here for its community.
Many parents know that library storytimes offer a variety of benefits. Storytime is a valuable activity for helping children to develop early literacy skills. Participating
Staff Spotlight: Beth Steffensmeier
children learn new sounds, words and language; they exercise their imaginations; and they meet and interact with other children around joint activities. However, one of the most unsung benefits of storytimes may not be directly about the kids, but rather, for their parents.
Kaylan Guinn and Sarah Mapes both became first-time moms during the height of COVID. As soon as OPL began offering in-person programming at branches, Guinn and Mapes started attending baby storytime at Millard Branch and then Saddlebrook Branch with their children. Guinn recognized Mapes and her son from a previous storytime visit and said hello. As they continued to see each other at storytimes, they found that they had a lot in common and enjoyed talking about everything from the TV shows they watch to their mutual love of dogs.
Though their activities often revolve around library offerings, they often spend time together at the conclusion of storytimes to catch up and let their boys play.
“It’s hard to make friends as an adult,” said Guinn. “It’s easier when you find someone who is in the same stage of life.”
Mapes agreed. “It’s nice knowing that we can understand and help each other through the next steps in life.” Guinn and Mapes look forward to continuing their friendship as their boys get older.
Steffensmeier began working as a library aide one night a week at Milton R. Abrahams Branch in 2008. Though her time in that position was short-lived, it started her on a path to advance her library career through a variety of different experiences.
Though she didn’t remember doing it, Beth Steffensmeier had set her sights on librarianship as a child. As an adult, she discovered a fourthgrade assignment that had asked her to predict her future profession, and she was surprised to see that she had written “LIBRARIAN.”
Steffensmeier always loved books and reading, but libraries were never a place she wanted to spend a lot of time. She didn’t enjoy the silence and didn’t even use them as a place to study in college. She preferred being among people and wanted libraries to be a gathering space for the community.
Following graduation from Hastings College, Steffensmeier moved to Omaha when her boyfriend (now husband) got a job in the city. As she looked for a job, she found herself drawn to libraries, but wasn’t sure that’s what she wanted to do.
Steffensmeier often saw former OPL Executive Director Rivkah Sass on the news and wondered if that was a sign of what she should be doing with her life. She decided to find out by calling Sass and asking for a meeting to learn more about librarianship. After that discussion, Steffensmeier was sold.
She decided to pursue a master’s degree in library science through a program jointly offered by the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Missouri. In an effort to gain library experience,
Currently, Steffensmeier works at Millard Branch as a fulltime library specialist. In this role, she supervises library aides, coordinates branch volunteers, facilitates a book club, and works with the library collection. She takes pride in her work and feels like libraries have evolved to be the kind of places she always wanted them to be.
“I know our purpose - to be a community gathering place where all are welcome, where people come to learn things or expose themselves to different opinions, worlds, cultures and stories,” said Steffensmeier. “It's so great!”
Though she doesn’t know where her library career will take her next, Steffensmeier enjoys her current role.
“I love it,” she said. “The common good of being able to truly help people trumps any challenges.”
Patron Spotlight:
6 Sat | Jan 14 | 1-3 pm Millard Branch 13214 Westwood Ln. | 402.444.4848 free & open to the public Friends of Omaha Public Library Ana Meig & Mmesi Kcof Friends memberships and renewals for 2023 will be available. All funds raised directly contribute to the quality of Omaha Public Library and its impact on our community. Featured Speaker: Lydia Kang, MD
Kaylan Guinn & Wyatt
Sarah Mapes & Thomas
Annual Fundraiser
With a crowd topping more than 400 guests, the Omaha Public Library Foundation (OPLF) welcomed "Just Mercy" author Bryan Stevenson to Omaha on September 28 for its annual fundraiser. 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.
Held at the Hixson-Lied Auditorium inside Creighton University’s Harper Center, Between the Lines with Bryan Stevenson celebrated OPL and OPLF, and raised needed dollars for library programming, collections, and more. Jo Giles, OPLF board member and past president, served as the night’s emcee. The evening also recognized Carol Wang, a former OPL board of trustees president, with the 2022 Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award.
Now in its ninth year, the Between the Lines fundraiser brings a celebrated author to Omaha. Previous authors 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).
OPLF is grateful for the support of this year’s event sponsors:
Gold: Cox, Susan and Mike Lebens, Annette and Paul Smith
Silver: Deloitte, HDR, Heider Family Foundation, Tina and Dan Lonergan, Tenaska
Bronze: Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, Berry Law Firm, Cline Williams, Heritage Omaha, Tulani and Othello Meadows, Omaha Steaks, West O Fitness
Friends of OPLF: Great Plains Communications, GreenSlate Development, Margaret Sullivan Studio, Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners, OPPD
Stay tuned for details on next year’s fundraiser. Learn more about how to support the Omaha Public Library Foundation at omahalibraryfoundation.org or 402-444-4589.
Financial Gifts
Received Oct 1, 2021 –Sept 30, 2022
$250,000+
Ruth Sage Estate
$50,000+
Holland Foundation
Lozier Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation
$30,000+
Richard Brooke Foundation
William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation
$20,000+
Hawks Foundation
The Adah & Leon Millard Foundation
Sokolof Foundation
Webster Family Foundation
Weitz Family Foundation
$15,000+
Baumstark Giving Account
Amy L. Scott Family Foundation
$10,000+
Lee Bachand
Cox Ike & Roz Friedman Foundation
Michael & Susan Lebens
Dan & Tina Lonergan
Fred & Eve Simon Charitable Foundation
Paul & Annette Smith
Gilbert C. Swanson Foundation
Roger & Kate Weitz
$5,000+
Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Foundation
Bluestem Prairie Foundation
Ann C. Burdette Irrevocable Trust
Collective for Youth
HDR, Inc.
Richard Kelley
Allan & Ann Mactier Charitable Foundation
Metro Omaha Medical Society Foundation
Mutual of Omaha Companies Silvia Roffman
Jill Slosburg-Ackerman
Elizabeth Summers Tenaska, Inc. Eileen M. Wirth
$2,000+
Anonymous
Michael & Laura Alley
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C.
Baer Foundation
Berry Law Firm
Barbara Bock-Mavis
Marianne Bruner
Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather
John & Terri Diesing
Joseph Drugmand
The Heider Family Foundation
Heritage Services
Harold & Clara Hoover
Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
Mike & Susan Lebens
Marty Magee
Maggie & Michael McMeekin
Meza Gardens & Design
Omaha Steaks International
West O Fitness
Dennis & Patricia Wiederholt
$1,000+
Anonymous
Jane Alseth
Mary Joy Anderson
Atredis Partners
Bay Family Foundation
Maria Brookhouser
Stephen & Anne Bruckner
J. Richard Burrows
Leilani & Ron Coe
Friedland Family Foundation
Jo Giles Mike & Wanda Gottschalk
Great Plains Communications
GreenSlate
Deryl & Ramona Hamann
Theresa Jehlik
Milton & Marsha Kleinberg
Jack & Stephanie Koraleski
Jeff Kosse
Dave & Vicki Krecek
Gary & Lucie Long
Marilyn Marsh
Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners
Rochelle Mullen
Shirley & Daniel Neary
Phyllis & Bob Newman
OPPD
Justine Petsch
Lewis & Winifred Pinch
Anne Rismiller
Sarah Watson
Phil & Nancy Wolf
$500+
Doug & Cathy Aden
Anna Applegate
Zac Baer
Richard & Carol Britten
Bobbie Carlson
Sandor & Rhonda Chomos
Julie & Scott Cobb
Community Services Fund of Nebraska
Maurice & Cora Conner Fund
Nancy Darst
Carol Ebdon
Rebecca Evans
Lynn & Cindy Gray
Bill & Ann Hall
Dr. Gina Hawley Dawn Jensen
Noreen Johnson
Howard & Gloria Kaslow
Dan & Kari Kinsella
John & Merrilee Miller
Morrissey Engineering
Sharee & Murray Newman Fund
Susan Petersen
John & Kathleen Ransom Ann Rinne
Rotary-Suburban Julie Schroeder
Emily & Joshua States Susan Vosburg
$250+
Anonymous (4)
LuJean Allen
Amy Armbruster
Jim & Gail Binderup
Jeffrey Boyum
Thad & Sharon Call
William Chaney
Gary & Lisa Choquette
Tony & Claudia Deeb
Roy & Gloria Dinsdale
Linda & Charles Duckworth
Max & Elizabeth Engel
Mary Ferer
Mary Ann & Daren Folchert
Thomas & Nancy Gallagher
Richard & Melanie Gerbeling
Traci Hancock
Lori Hedstrom
Merritt Keiser
Emily Kemp
Kiewit
Erwin & Elaine Klabunde
Jane Kugler & Doug Vonderfecht
Joseph & Molly Lang
Tom Liefer
Andrena MacLeod
Laura Marlane & Paul Richards
Mark & Dianne McMillan
Moshman Family Foundation
Amanda Neal
Norma & Cliff Pountney
Danielle Rozmus
Greg & Sue Rusie
Joseph & Mary Scholl
Shirley Siebler
Deborah Smith-Howell
Sue Stroesser
Vance Taylor
Jon Tritsch
Bill & Joan Truhlsen
Nichole & Kevin Turgeon
Union Pacific Giveplus Program
Linda Wedberg-Kraft & Robert Kraft Ashley & Brad Wedeking
Honorariums & Memorials
Received July 1 — Sept 30, 2020
In Memory of Karla Baker Jennifer Grosz
In Memory of James Richard (Dick) Burrows
Anonymous Terry & Shelley Ahlers
Tom & Susan Cody
Charles Grubb
Sandra Ham
Mike & Lee Ann Kraft
Thomas & Janis McCrudden
Sheila Nelson
Frank & Gertrude Perrone Jodeen Petersen
In Memory of Joan Cooney Nancy & James Slattery
In Memory of Al Cooper Craig Adamson Melissa Carlson
Claire & Pierre Flatowicz Christina Free Ross McDaniel
Stacie Moseley Beverly Moyer Linda Thenhaus
In Memory of Patrick L. Hibberd M. L. Ausdemore-Johnson Kathryn Cooper Omaha Police Federal Credit Union
In Memory of Cilla Jepson Housebound Hounds
In Memory of Tory David Jones Tammy Jones
In Honor of Alice Janelle Nash Mary James
In Memory of Samar Ray Dr. Gina Hawley
In Memory of David Rismiller Eileen Wirth
In Honor of Wendy Townley Carol & Rick Russell
Diana Nevins
Mrs. Frank Partsch
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OPLF Executive Director Wendy Townley presents Carol Wang with the Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award.
Fundraiser attendees enjoy a patron party prior to Bryan Stevenson's presentation.
Bryan Stevenson addresses a crowd of more than 400 at the Hixson-Lied Auditorium.
Photos by Frison & Co.
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
GENEALOGY & LOCAL HISTORY ROOM 3020 S. 84th St. | 402.444.4800
INTERIM BRANCH
1410 Howard St. | 402.444.4828
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
WILLA CATHER BRANCH
1905 S. 44th St. | 402.444.4851
AVAILABLE IN MIDDECEMBER Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Omaha, NE Permit No. 1818 MONDAY – THURSDAY 9am – 7pm FRIDAY & SATURDAY 9am – 5pm SUNDAY 1 – 5pm (Abrahams, Genealogy, Interim & Millard only)
HOURS
8790 F St., Ste. 108 Omaha, NE 68127 Library Holidays Libraries will be closed on these holidays observed by the City of Omaha. Christmas Dec 24-26 New Year’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan 1-2 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan 16 Presidents' Day* . . . . . . . . . . Feb 20 *South Omaha Library Open Thousands of movies, documentaries, and more available on kanopy.com Get started at omahalibrary.org. Early Literacy Calendar Pick up a complimentary 2023 OPL calendar featuring early literacy tips at your local branch or request one at your next curbside pick-up (while supplies last).
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