Omaha Public Library
Encyclopedia
Omaha Public Library is a public library
system for the city of Omaha, Nebraska
. Originally founded in 1857, the library struggled for many years before formally forming in 1877. In 1895, the library became one of the first six in the nation to create a children's section. There are currently 12 libraries in the system.
appointed a library board, which levied a tax to create Omaha Public Library. They immediately accepted 4,500 books from the disbanded association as a gift.
Real estate tycoon Byron Reed
donated land and his vast collection of coins, books and manuscripts to the library in the early 1890s, and in 1894, Omaha Public Library opened in its first permanent home
at 18th and Harney. A year later, Omaha Public Library became one of the first six public libraries in the nation to create a separate children’s section. A new central library called the W. Dale Clark Library opened at 14th and Farnam Streets in 1977 across from the Gene Leahy Mall
.
Of the 12 libraries in the system, the W. Dale Clark Library currently houses the largest collection, including 7,000 genealogy books; 2,000 photos of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi International Exposition; a cuneiform
collection; thousands of old postcards; and a rich collection of Omaha and Nebraska history resources.
Mildred L. Batchelder
, Namesake of the ALA
award given to the publisher of a translated children's book was formerly a librarian at an Omaha Library. One of her stated goals in her work, which was encouraging the translation of children's books from around the world, was "to eliminate barriers to understanding between people of different cultures, races, nations, and languages."
. These people are appointed by the mayor of Omaha and confirmed by the Omaha City Council. Terms are for 3 years with the next appointment occurring May 31, 2012. The Board of Directors meet every third Wednesday of the month at different branches throughout the system. Meetings are open to the public and the agenda and minutes are posted on the Omaha Public Library website.
The Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) is a non-profit, volunteer run organization which helps to fund literacy and community outreach programs for Omaha Public Library and the Omaha community. FOPL raises money through membership support and sales of used books. General book sales are held quarterly at the W. Clarke Swanson Branch. The Friends of Omaha Public Library can also be found online on AbeBooks
as the Omaha Library Friends and on eBay
as the Friends of the Omaha Public Library.
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
system for the city of Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. Originally founded in 1857, the library struggled for many years before formally forming in 1877. In 1895, the library became one of the first six in the nation to create a children's section. There are currently 12 libraries in the system.
History
In 1857, the Omaha Library Association was formed, folding after three years. In 1872, a tiny library was opened on the second floor of the Simpson Carriage factory at 14th & Dodge Street. In 1877, the Omaha City CouncilOmaha City Council
The City Council of Omaha, Nebraska is elected every four years on a nonpartisan basis. The next election will occur in 2009. Omaha has a strong mayor form of government. Members are elected by district...
appointed a library board, which levied a tax to create Omaha Public Library. They immediately accepted 4,500 books from the disbanded association as a gift.
Real estate tycoon Byron Reed
Byron Reed
Byron Reed was an American pioneer real estate businessman and local politician in Omaha, Nebraska. He founded the first real estate office in the Nebraska Territory and became the foremost agent after Nebraska achieved statehood.-Biography:Reed was born in Darien, Genesee County, New York...
donated land and his vast collection of coins, books and manuscripts to the library in the early 1890s, and in 1894, Omaha Public Library opened in its first permanent home
Omaha Public Library (building)
The original Omaha Public Library building was built in 1891 at 1823 Harney Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska by renowned architect Thomas Kimball...
at 18th and Harney. A year later, Omaha Public Library became one of the first six public libraries in the nation to create a separate children’s section. A new central library called the W. Dale Clark Library opened at 14th and Farnam Streets in 1977 across from the Gene Leahy Mall
Gene Leahy Mall
Gene Leahy Mall, also known locally as Central Park or The Mall, is a park located at 1302 Farnam on the Mall in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska and bordered by South 10th Street. The Mall is encircled by a long pathway that wraps around a large lagoon. There are also waterfalls, two huge slides, a...
.
Of the 12 libraries in the system, the W. Dale Clark Library currently houses the largest collection, including 7,000 genealogy books; 2,000 photos of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi International Exposition; a cuneiform
Cuneiform
Cuneiform can refer to:*Cuneiform script, an ancient writing system originating in Mesopotamia in the 4th millennium BC*Cuneiform , three bones in the human foot*Cuneiform Records, a music record label...
collection; thousands of old postcards; and a rich collection of Omaha and Nebraska history resources.
Mildred L. Batchelder
Mildred L. Batchelder
Mildred L. Batchelder was named in “100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century” by American Libraries in December 1999...
, Namesake of the ALA
Ala
Ala may refer to:* Ala , a female demon in the Serbian and Bulgarian mythology* Ala , an Alusi in Odinani* Ala , a Republican-period, largely infantry, formation of 5,400 men...
award given to the publisher of a translated children's book was formerly a librarian at an Omaha Library. One of her stated goals in her work, which was encouraging the translation of children's books from around the world, was "to eliminate barriers to understanding between people of different cultures, races, nations, and languages."
Governance
The Omaha Public Library is governed by a nine member board of directorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. These people are appointed by the mayor of Omaha and confirmed by the Omaha City Council. Terms are for 3 years with the next appointment occurring May 31, 2012. The Board of Directors meet every third Wednesday of the month at different branches throughout the system. Meetings are open to the public and the agenda and minutes are posted on the Omaha Public Library website.
Branches
| Current Omaha Public Library locations Locations listed in alphabetical order by most common name |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Address | Notes | Link |
| W. Dale Clark Main Library | 215 South 15th Street | Main Library/Downtown Library | Link |
| Milton R. Abrahams Branch | 5111 North 90th Street | Link | |
| Benson Branch | 60th and Binney Streets | library and community center | Link |
| Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch | 100 Reading Road | became 11th Omaha Public Library location with annexation of Elkhorn on March 1, 2007 | Link |
| Florence Branch | 2920 Bondesson | In fall 2010 Library closed for renovations | Link |
| Millard Branch | 13214 Westwood Lane | Link | |
| Saddlebrook Branch | 14850 Laurel Avenue | opened August 17, 2009, shared facility with the Omaha Public School District Omaha Public Schools Omaha Public Schools is the largest school district in the state of Nebraska. This public school district serves a diverse community of more than 46,000 students at over 80 elementary and secondary schools in Omaha, Nebraska... |
Link |
| A.V. Sorensen Branch | 4808 Cass Street | Link | |
| South Omaha Library | 2808 Q St | formerly South Branch, shared facility with the Metropolitan Community College Metropolitan Community College (Omaha) Metropolitan Community College is a public community college with multiple campuses located throughout the Omaha, Nebraska metro area.- About :... |
Link |
| W. Clarke Swanson Branch | 9101 West Dodge Road | Link | |
| Charles B. Washington Branch | 2868 Ames Avenue | formerly North Branch | Link |
| Willa Cather Branch | 1905 South 44th Street | Link | |
Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL)
Abebooks
AbeBooks is an online marketplace for books. Most books listed are used, many are rare or out-of-print, and a growing number are new books. The company is based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with offices in Düsseldorf, Germany, and in the US. It was incorporated in 1995 and launched its...
as the Omaha Library Friends and on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
as the Friends of the Omaha Public Library.