20-Year Plan Recommends Improvements Across Omaha Public Library System
Omaha, Nebraska — June 14, 2023
After a year of research, public input and data analysis, a 20-year Citywide Facilities Plan for Omaha Public Library (OPL) has been completed.
The community-based plan anticipates future opportunities and partnerships for neighborhood libraries and makes aspirational recommendations for each branch. It does not recommend closing libraries and includes the already planned new Southwest branch location.
The future-focused recommendations are based on significant public input including nearly 5,000 responses to a community survey, small group discussions, library staff workshops, and input from hundreds of community leaders and partner organizations. Responses show that both traditional and innovative services are important, including books, technology, indoor and outdoor spaces, community gardens and kitchens, early childhood and family play areas and other non-traditional amenities.
The community input process, designed and coordinated by national library leader Margaret Sullivan Studio (MSS) is considered to be one of the most ambitious community engagement processes for a public library facilities plan in the country.
"This is the first Omaha libraries facilities plan where the direct input of the community drove the aspirations. As OPL continues to evolve its programs, the library and the City of Omaha will have the confidence to innovate, experiment and improve services that the community is requesting," said Margaret Sullivan. "This practice will set a new standard for the library industry, but more importantly serve as a valuable resource for all who strive for a thriving Omaha!"
Plan development started in June 2022, after the Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees approved a resolution creating an Advisory Committee to work with MSS to develop the Facilities Plan and a staffing and cost analysis for future OPL operations including the new Central Library, expected to open in 2026 at 72nd and Dodge.
The Advisory Committee members include representatives from OPL and the OPL Foundation, Do Space and Community Information Trust (the nonprofit that operates Do Space), OPL Board of Trustees, the Mayor's Office, City of Omaha Finance Director Steve Curtiss and Human Resources Director Deb Sander. Kim Zablud, a library management consultant and former director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library in Washington D.C., facilitated the committee's work.
Heritage Omaha, the nonprofit that launched the Do Space community technology library in 2015 and is fund raising for the construction of the Central Library, also raised the funds for these planning efforts.
The Central Library, with its innovative Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) incorporated into the building, and the planned system-wide integration of Do Space technology and programs provides new opportunities for all OPL neighborhood library branches. The changes will allow Omaha's branch libraries to provide more equitable access to collections and technologies and opportunities to activate public spaces.
The Facilities Plan lists suggested high-impact renovations and expansions at each OPL branch, in a range of small, medium and large investments and focuses on promoting six areas identified through public input - literacy, digital inclusion, workforce and entrepreneurship, public safety and health, neighborhood development and connections to community resources.
The plan identifies up to 100,000 square feet of increased public space throughout the OPL system; 70% is in northwest and southwest Omaha due to projected population growth. If every recommendation is adopted over the next 20 years, the projected costs of improvements is approximately $215 million. The plan identifies funding strategies for both capital and programming costs and is designed to be a flexible "menu" to respond to facilities opportunities.
"Good plans are equal parts practical and aspirational. This plan is both," said Mayor Jean Stothert.
"Together with our Omaha Public Library staff and the Board of Trustees, the recommendations will be evaluated for affordability, urgency and equity throughout our library system."
Plan Highlights
MILTON R. ABRAHAMS — 5111 N. 90th Street
Currently being realigned to create a model to integrate Do Space throughout the OPL system. Learning from this prototype will inform future investment and interior renovations.
BENSON — 6015 Binney Street
Realign interior to include creative and event spaces and social services
BESS JOHNSON — 2100 Reading Plaza, Elkhorn
Rebuild a larger library and expand parking on current site, consider co-location with a City of Omaha Community Center
FLORENCE — 2920 Bondesson Street
Renovate and expand partnership with the adjoining City of Omaha Community Center
MILLARD — 13214 Westwood Lane
Realign the interior to increase meeting, work and study space, add children and family spaces.
SADDLEBROOK — 14850 Laurel Avenue
Study further to determine how this branch, co-located with an OPS elementary school and City of Omaha Community Center, can improve services and increase use
A.V. SORENSEN — 4808 Cass Street
Expand if feasible to include meeting and work/study space and improve internet access (and renovate to leverage the co-location with the City of Omaha Community Center)
SOUTH OMAHA — 2808 Q Street
Study further to determine how this branch, co-located on the Metropolitan Community College campus, can provide services to the neighboring communities including technology, social services and bilingual programs
SOUTHWEST — New construction, location selection underway
SWANSON — 9101 W. Dodge Road
Realign interior to add meeting space, reading room and family play space
WILLA CATHER — 1905 S. 44th Street
Rebuild and expand preferably at the current location
CHARLES B. WASHINGTON — 2868 Ames Avenue
Expand and renovate at the current location
The report does not make additional recommendations for the new Downtown Branch, which opened last month at 1401 Jones Street.
"This plan allows OPL to evolve over time with our communities, maximize resources, and continue to provide access to the books, services, programs, and spaces that Omaha and Douglas County residents deserve, while moving forward with the integration of Do Space's technology services. We are excited to bring this vision to life," said OPL Executive Director Laura Marlane.
The OPL Board of Trustees will consider a resolution to accept and endorse the Library Facilities Plan at the June 21 meeting.
"It is important to have a roadmap to guide the OPL administration and Board of Trustees in the future," said OPL Board of Trustees President Mike Kennedy. "Our public libraries will benefit from the outstanding public participation in this process, support from Mayor Stothert and the library administration, and opportunities for increased philanthropic support."
The Trustees will also consider a budget analysis and recommendations to activate and operate the Central Public Library and the enhanced library system. The recommendations will include additional leadership positions focused on innovation and community engagement and customer service staff increases throughout the OPL system. A proposed funding model recommends continuing the annual City of Omaha General Fund budget increases in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to prepare for the opening of the Central Library*. The model also includes increased philanthropic support through the Omaha Public Library Foundation.
*In 2023, the OPL General Fund budget increased 10% to $19.3 including eight new staff positions.
**The recommended 2024 OPL budget is expected to increase 8.3%, including eight additional employees. The 2024 budget will be submitted to the City Council in late July.
About the Partners
Omaha Public Library (OPL) has served City of Omaha and Douglas County residents for 150 years and is one of the most visited institutions in Nebraska. OPL’s mission is to strengthen our community by connecting people with ideas, information and innovative services. Learn about OPL’s collections, facilities, services, programs and more at OmahaLibrary.org.
The Omaha Public Library Foundation has raised more than $10 million in private support for Omaha Public Library programs and services since its creation in 1985.
Founded in 1854, the City of Omaha is principally responsible for the operational and capital funding, leadership and oversight of the Omaha Public Library (OPL) system.
Founded in 2015, Do Space is the first technology library in the United States. Created by Heritage Omaha and operated by the Community Information Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Do Space empowers the community through free access to technology and innovative learning experiences. Do Space is a catalyst for innovation in Omaha. With more than 90,000 members, Do Space is uniquely equipped to expose community members to technology and to inspire them to take ownership of their digital learning experiences.
Heritage Omaha identifies substantial needs and opportunities with high community impact and supports the realization of viable and sustainable civic projects. To date, Heritage Omaha has raised more than $1 billion in philanthropic support for capital projects serving the Omaha community, making Omaha and the region a more dynamic and vibrant place to live. Heritage Omaha has a 30-year track record of success in capital campaign leadership, building design and construction project facilitation, multi-stakeholder engagement, due diligence and feasibility studies, and institutional and organizational development.
Contact Information:
Carrie Murphy, City of Omaha
402-444-3520 — carrie.Murphy@cityofomaha.org
Emily Getzschman, Omaha Public Library
402-444-4896 — egetzschman@omahalibrary.org
Wendy Townley, Omaha Public Library Foundation
402-444-4589 — wtownley@omahalibrary.org
Trisha Mauret, Heritage Omaha
402-658-0017 — tmeuretl@gmail.com
Rebecca Stavick, CEO, Community Information Trust
402-819-4022 — rstavick@dospace.org