Omaha Public Library

lyonsroar · Post by **lyonsroar** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:57 pm

Just wondering what your opinions are on the Omaha Public Library?
Do you use it often? What do you check out most?

Just looking for general feelings about the system, etc.

Thanks!

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:33 pm

My wife and I use it quite a bit. If you live in Omaha, getting a card is free and easy (all you need to bring in is a photo ID and a recent utility bill showing your address). We usually go to the main library downtown, but we live nearby in Midtown.

They have a pretty good inventory of books, especially at the main location. The online reservation system works well (it's the same software most libraries use these days). I've checked out quite a few books on home repair and construction lately, and have been impressed by the selection. My wife likes to check out music, movies, and TV shows. The waiting list can be pretty long if you want a popular TV series, though!

It's pretty good, but not as good as I had expected for a city of 400,000. The library in Urbana where I moved from (a city of 50,000) was better, but it was a more community-minded city.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:24 pm

My children and I use it all of the time. I have visited a few of the branches including the main one, and I feel that they could have better areas for children but overall they are more than adequate for my needs. The computers and computer areas also could use a lot of improvement. I feel the book selections are very good. It is rare that they don't carry a book that I am looking for. I read both a lot of fiction and non-fiction. I check out an average of a book every week so I have saved a lot of money by taking advantage of the library.

I also use their website often and am very pleased with that as well. The ability to renew online is very convenient, but I mostly use the website to search for and reserve books. Being able to reserve online, pick up the books from the hold area, and use the express checkout saves me a lot of time.

Any other questions, just ask! Hope this was of help.

lyonsroar · Post by **lyonsroar** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 1:22 pm

Seth wrote:My wife and I use it quite a bit. If you live in Omaha, getting a card is free and easy (all you need to bring in is a photo ID and a recent utility bill showing your address). We usually go to the main library downtown, but we live nearby in Midtown.

Have you visited any of the other locations? You said you lived in Midtown so the location closest you you would be Willa Cather, Benson, and AV Sorensen.

Jason4225 wrote:My children and I use it all of the time. I have visited a few of the branches including the main one, and I feel that they could have better areas for children but overall they are more than adequate for my needs. The computers and computer areas also could use a lot of improvement. I feel the book selections are very good. It is rare that they don't carry a book that I am looking for. I read both a lot of fiction and non-fiction. I check out an average of a book every week so I have saved a lot of money by taking advantage of the library.

I also use their website often and am very pleased with that as well. The ability to renew online is very convenient, but I mostly use the website to search for and reserve books. Being able to reserve online, pick up the books from the hold area, and use the express checkout saves me a lot of time.

Any other questions, just ask! Hope this was of help.

Thanks for your input. What exactly do you feel needs improvement in the computers and computer area? Also, what would you like to see in the Children's area?

I know Benson just got two new Hatch Early literacy computers that kids can play educational games on. They aren't hooked up the the internet so the older kids don't muscle them out of the way.

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:44 pm

lyonsroar wrote:
Seth wrote:My wife and I use it quite a bit. If you live in Omaha, getting a card is free and easy (all you need to bring in is a photo ID and a recent utility bill showing your address). We usually go to the main library downtown, but we live nearby in Midtown.
Have you visited any of the other locations? You said you lived in Midtown so the location closest you you would be Willa Cather, Benson, and AV Sorensen.

I've been to the Willa Cather branch, but it's pretty crappy. It's a small, dirty-looking old building without a very large selection. You can request anything in their network and have it delivered to any location, though.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:28 pm

lyonsroar wrote:Thanks for your input. What exactly do you feel needs improvement in the computers and computer area? Also, what would you like to see in the Children's area?

I know Benson just got two new Hatch Early literacy computers that kids can play educational games on. They aren't hooked up the the internet so the older kids don't muscle them out of the way.

I feel that the computer areas are sporadically placed throughout the libraries, not in a central location. The catalog computers should be placed near the entrance due to the fact that many people need to use this computer to find what they are looking for. The children's computers are usually near the kids area, but could be more centrally located in the kids area. I feel that computers should be grouped by type and located near the area that they most pertain to. The reservation station could be more clearly marked as well at some of the libraries. The children's computers could be set up so it is easier for kids to find what they are looking for such as games, research, catalog, etc.

I also think that the children's area should have better area set up for reading for the children. Comfortable, inviting areas for the children that give them an incentive to sit down and read a few books instead of just getting on the computers. More colors and better decor for the children's area would be welcome as well. Puzzles and activities are nice for the younger children, which most of the libraries provide, but could be more widespread.

I have not been to all of the libraries, so when I visit some of the other branches, I may get some more ideas. I suppose I will get off my soapbox now. :D

lyonsroar · Post by **lyonsroar** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:39 pm

Good stuff!

Thanks for the info!

I find it hard to believe you two are the only library users on the forum. The rest of you lurkers chime in!

Thanks!

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:08 pm

My family can be considered heavy users of the Millard branch off 132nd and L. We are there every other week and the kids max out there allowed books. We don't use any other library services, never checked out movies, magazines, music, etc. Just books. I've gone through the top 100 Scifi and Fantasy books of all time and the Millard branch had every one on the list. My personal library use has dropped off a bit after the purchase of my iPad. There's lots of free books available that have been on my list for awhile. We still take the kids regularly.

And to show how proud I am of my 6 year old, we had parent teacher conferences yesterday. They expect 1st graders to read at 35 words per minute, and my daughter reads at 126 wpm. The teacher wants us to move her into more challenging books - so another trip to the library is in order.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:24 pm

mrdwhsr · Post by **mrdwhsr** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:29 pm

lyonsroar wrote:Good stuff!

Thanks for the info!

I find it hard to believe you two are the only library users on the forum. The rest of you lurkers chime in!

Thanks!

My library use has fallen to what might be shameful levels. The brown truck delivers books to my house multiple times per year. Some of those are gifts for grandkids.

The Millard branch is the handiest for us, a nice facility, and good service -- the few times we have needed the library. I've done research at the main library (Dale Clark), been to the Northwest (OK) and Willa Cather (needs a facelift) branches at least once.

I was a regular at the Swanson branch, 90th & Dodge, before it was nearly totalled in the Dodge widening project (and we moved to a SID). It's a pain to get to with the drive through the neighborhood and the reduced parking. Unless a new library is located in the Cross-Roads area and another branch opened west of 168th, a replacement is probably long over-due. I'd be OK with a remodel, but that would need to include changes to access and more parking which I'm sure would be well received by the adjacent home-owners (he said sarcastically).

Close Swanson, build new branch or main library @72nd& Dodge and another branch @168th&Dodge. Check out Ralston's library...nice

I would be happy! (If only I could get there by streetcar too - dream on eh?)

OmahaBen · Post by **OmahaBen** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:16 pm

I will say, the downtown library is in shambles compared to even 10 years ago. Most of the neighborhood branches are at least acceptable if not very good, but the "main" one needs major work and or should close and relocate elsewhere.

lyonsroar · Post by **lyonsroar** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:16 pm

TechnicalDisaster wrote: And to show how proud I am of my 6 year old, we had parent teacher conferences yesterday. They expect 1st graders to read at 35 words per minute, and my daughter reads at 126 wpm. The teacher wants us to move her into more challenging books - so another trip to the library is in order.

That's the best! I was a heavy reader back in grade school as well. I remember in 6th grade I did a book report on Watership Down which is a 476 page upper level (high school+) book. I remember the teacher writing on the grade sheet: "are you sure this is age appropriate?" I'm sure she thought a book about bunnies must be an easy read.

WRONG. Anyway then I went on to take a practice SAT in 7th grade and ended up with a 36 in both Reading and English. I guess I know what my strong suit is...

anyway...

Thanks for all the information!
Anyone else care to let some opinions fly?
Thanks!

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:27 pm

Executive Director of OPL Gary Wasdin is one of three finalists for King County Library Director. Seattle is the county seat of King County.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:34 am

Gary is a friend and neighbor of mine. A very talented man, who has done much for our library system. I enjoy reading his regular columns in the Saturday World-Herald.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 6:09 pm

He has resigned. Must be getting the position in Seattle, good for him. I hope Omaha can find another good leader going forward.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 1:59 pm

Yes, he starts in Seattle in late January.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:54 pm

Omaha library director's new job a 'great opportunity,' but he says Nebraska's gay rights stance also a factor in his leaving

http://m.omaha.com/news/metro/omaha-lib ... l?mode=jqm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon May 18, 2015 5:00 pm

Ok I could of swore we talked about this mural, but I can't find it. The Eugene Kingman mural that hung in the lobby of the New York Times is now returned to the city it was painted in, Omaha. Kingman was the director of the Joslyn. It will now hang in the atrium of the W. Dale Clark Library being fully restored.

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:54 am

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/police- ... c1c52.html

I had no idea that the downtown branch had this much of a crime issue. People having sex in the stairways, child molesters on the prowl, thieves, etc.

bigredmed · Post by **bigredmed** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 2:06 pm

RNcyanide wrote:http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/police- ... c1c52.html

I had no idea that the downtown branch had this much of a crime issue. People having sex in the stairways, child molesters on the prowl, thieves, etc.

Culture change as in staff need to know that if they ban and bar someone, it will be enforced for more than an hour no matter whether liberals like it or not and they won't get fired or deepsixed into a career toilet for pulling the pin.

This has gone on too long and needs to be done.

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:05 am

Given the history of the issues they've had here (I've heard about them before), I'm surprised this has been allowed to go on this long.

bigredmed · Post by **bigredmed** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 12:39 pm

RNcyanide wrote:Given the history of the issues they've had here (I've heard about them before), I'm surprised this has been allowed to go on this long.

So health workers live at the edge of the marshmallow in the campfire. We get toasty. We get toastier than most other human service types because of the nature of our jobs.

The library is home to people who think Bernie Sanders is too right wing. It is also home to people who will get fired or demoted so badly that they never recover for reporting this.

Consider that there are REPEAT offenders who expose themselves to children repeatedly in that branch. They get no meaningful block placed on them. Now, what would happen to some perv who did that once at Children's? Banned and Barred. The RN or SW who reported it would have to do some paperwork for the lawyer, but they would get a pat on the back for protecting safety.

No iniative to do anything, punishment if you do. Recipe for inaction.

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:04 pm

bigredmed wrote:
RNcyanide wrote:Given the history of the issues they've had here (I've heard about them before), I'm surprised this has been allowed to go on this long.
So health workers live at the edge of the marshmallow in the campfire. We get toasty. We get toastier than most other human service types because of the nature of our jobs.

The library is home to people who think Bernie Sanders is too right wing. It is also home to people who will get fired or demoted so badly that they never recover for reporting this.

Consider that there are REPEAT offenders who expose themselves to children repeatedly in that branch. They get no meaningful block placed on them. Now, what would happen to some perv who did that once at Children's? Banned and Barred. The RN or SW who reported it would have to do some paperwork for the lawyer, but they would get a pat on the back for protecting safety.

No iniative to do anything, punishment if you do. Recipe for inaction.

Sweet Jesus. I guess I've never been in a public library, so I've never seen any of that in action. But yes, working in a hospital, we give people a few chances but once you go black(listed), you legally can't come back...

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:23 am

Find out what could be in store as Omaha reimagines its public libraries

Reece Ristau
Omaha is drafting the next chapter of its public library system, a plan expected to lead to the demolition of the downtown central library, a new central hub elsewhere in town and an overall reimagining of how the libraries can best serve patrons.

And the city may partner with an influential group of local donors to co-author the plan.

Heritage Services, the Omaha philanthropy group that has bankrolled numerous major civic projects since 1990, has been in discussions with the city about the future of Omaha’s 12 public libraries. While officials say planning is in the early stages, and no partnerships or financial arrangements have been formalized, some big-picture possibilities have come into focus.

One major change could be demolition of the downtown W. Dale Clark Library, which, as the city’s central library, houses most of the system’s collection of books, as well as archives and genealogy services.

Library officials say the facility, which opened to the public in March 1977, has reached the end of its useful life. Laura Marlane, executive director of the Omaha Public Library, said the building is too big and expensive to maintain and is in need of costly repairs. The concrete structure, an example of Brutalist architecture, has Wi-Fi dead spots, and its outdated design doesn’t allow for the kinds of community programming that libraries should foster, she said.

Summarized, the downtown library is going down, there is some private interest in developing the site, a downtown branch would be built, while the central library is eyed more toward 72nd and Dodge, Heritage Services may play a big role in the library system's revamp. Also, to fan the flames of the rumors flying around:

More information about the future of the downtown library site could be made public in the next few months, Stothert said.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:16 am

Great to see there are talks beginning.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:54 am

Curious if they finally close Swanson to build the main branch at 72nd and Dodge, with Swanson's essentially "replacement" being downtown.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:18 am

ita wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:23 am Find out what could be in store as Omaha reimagines its public libraries

Reece Ristau
Omaha is drafting the next chapter of its public library system, a plan expected to lead to the demolition of the downtown central library, a new central hub elsewhere in town and an overall reimagining of how the libraries can best serve patrons.

And the city may partner with an influential group of local donors to co-author the plan.

Heritage Services, the Omaha philanthropy group that has bankrolled numerous major civic projects since 1990, has been in discussions with the city about the future of Omaha’s 12 public libraries. While officials say planning is in the early stages, and no partnerships or financial arrangements have been formalized, some big-picture possibilities have come into focus.

One major change could be demolition of the downtown W. Dale Clark Library, which, as the city’s central library, houses most of the system’s collection of books, as well as archives and genealogy services.

Library officials say the facility, which opened to the public in March 1977, has reached the end of its useful life. Laura Marlane, executive director of the Omaha Public Library, said the building is too big and expensive to maintain and is in need of costly repairs. The concrete structure, an example of Brutalist architecture, has Wi-Fi dead spots, and its outdated design doesn’t allow for the kinds of community programming that libraries should foster, she said.
Summarized, the downtown library is going down, there is some private interest in developing the site, a downtown branch would be built, while the central library is eyed more toward 72nd and Dodge, Heritage Services may play a big role in the library system's revamp. Also, to fan the flames of the rumors flying around:

More information about the future of the downtown library site could be made public in the next few months, Stothert said.

I have a few issues with this personally.

1) The downtown library is to me one of the few good looking brutalist buildings. I'd hate to see it go without a good reason to do so.
2) Moving the main library out west feels backwards as the core fills in.
3) If we do it anyway, downtown better get a nice replacement library. It's fine if it's in another development though.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:36 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:18 am
ita wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:23 am Find out what could be in store as Omaha reimagines its public libraries

Reece Ristau
Omaha is drafting the next chapter of its public library system, a plan expected to lead to the demolition of the downtown central library, a new central hub elsewhere in town and an overall reimagining of how the libraries can best serve patrons.

And the city may partner with an influential group of local donors to co-author the plan.

Heritage Services, the Omaha philanthropy group that has bankrolled numerous major civic projects since 1990, has been in discussions with the city about the future of Omaha’s 12 public libraries. While officials say planning is in the early stages, and no partnerships or financial arrangements have been formalized, some big-picture possibilities have come into focus.

One major change could be demolition of the downtown W. Dale Clark Library, which, as the city’s central library, houses most of the system’s collection of books, as well as archives and genealogy services.

Library officials say the facility, which opened to the public in March 1977, has reached the end of its useful life. Laura Marlane, executive director of the Omaha Public Library, said the building is too big and expensive to maintain and is in need of costly repairs. The concrete structure, an example of Brutalist architecture, has Wi-Fi dead spots, and its outdated design doesn’t allow for the kinds of community programming that libraries should foster, she said.
Summarized, the downtown library is going down, there is some private interest in developing the site, a downtown branch would be built, while the central library is eyed more toward 72nd and Dodge, Heritage Services may play a big role in the library system's revamp. Also, to fan the flames of the rumors flying around:

More information about the future of the downtown library site could be made public in the next few months, Stothert said.

I have a few issues with this personally.

1) The downtown library is to me one of the few good looking brutalist buildings. I'd hate to see it go without a good reason to do so.
2) Moving the main library out west feels backwards as the core fills in.
3) If we do it anyway, downtown better get a nice replacement library. It's fine if it's in another development though.

Yes, I agree that the downtown library is an attractive brutalist structure. They do say there are costly repairs needed for the building, so there's that. Anyway, when they do build a downtown branch, I wonder if they incorporate it into a future development as part of a mixed use building, or if it will be freestanding.

Having the main library at 72nd and Dodge doesn't bother me as much, as long as the downtown branch has the type of services needed for a modern library.

It's interesting though that Rachel Jacobsen from Heritage said that one of the focuses on any new buildings, if their organization is involved, is having incredible architecture. I could see something really cool and interesting for the downtown branch, but to put interesting architecture near 72nd and Dodge sounds kind of wasteful as it is mostly a seeing of uninteresting strip malls and big box stores.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:55 pm

ita wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:36 pm
Having the main library at 72nd and Dodge doesn't bother me as much, as long as the downtown branch has the type of services needed for a modern library.

It's interesting though that Rachel Jacobsen from Heritage said that one of the focuses on any new buildings, if their organization is involved, is having incredible architecture. I could see something really cool and interesting for the downtown branch, but to put interesting architecture near 72nd and Dodge sounds kind of wasteful as it is mostly a seeing of uninteresting strip malls and big box stores.

72nd and Dodge is changing though. Hopefully if Crossroads keeps going we'll see a general transformation of the area into a new urban district like Aksarben.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:06 pm

Garrett wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:55 pm
ita wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:36 pm
Having the main library at 72nd and Dodge doesn't bother me as much, as long as the downtown branch has the type of services needed for a modern library.

It's interesting though that Rachel Jacobsen from Heritage said that one of the focuses on any new buildings, if their organization is involved, is having incredible architecture. I could see something really cool and interesting for the downtown branch, but to put interesting architecture near 72nd and Dodge sounds kind of wasteful as it is mostly a seeing of uninteresting strip malls and big box stores.
72nd and Dodge is changing though. Hopefully if Crossroads keeps going we'll see a general transformation of the area into a new urban district like Aksarben.

Good point. I would think the best place would be next to DoSpace. There is some developable lots west of the building. With it's proximity to ORBT and Crossroads and already having community space and technology at DoSpace, it just makes sense to me.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu Sep 09, 2021 4:09 pm

ita wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:06 pm
Garrett wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:55 pm
ita wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:36 pm
Having the main library at 72nd and Dodge doesn't bother me as much, as long as the downtown branch has the type of services needed for a modern library.

It's interesting though that Rachel Jacobsen from Heritage said that one of the focuses on any new buildings, if their organization is involved, is having incredible architecture. I could see something really cool and interesting for the downtown branch, but to put interesting architecture near 72nd and Dodge sounds kind of wasteful as it is mostly a seeing of uninteresting strip malls and big box stores.
72nd and Dodge is changing though. Hopefully if Crossroads keeps going we'll see a general transformation of the area into a new urban district like Aksarben.
Good point. I would think the best place would be next to DoSpace. There is some developable lots west of the building. With it's proximity to ORBT and Crossroads and already having community space and technology at DoSpace, it just makes sense to me.

Especially with it on a kind of a hill there west of DoSpace. An aggressive design could be really cool there.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:47 am

So this is rolling around twitter, not sure how connected to the redevelopment of W Dale Clark it is, but I'm sure that privatization of the public library system is a big freakin problem, access to information, no matter your financial standing is a basic human right:

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:52 am

Louie wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:47 am So this is rolling around twitter, not sure how connected to the redevelopment of W Dale Clark it is, but I'm sure that privatization of the public library system is a big freakin problem, access to information, no matter your financial standing is a basic human right:

This would be disastrous and would no doubt gut the Omaha Public Library system. Hopefully this news picks up some steam so we can get some opposition going.

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:58 am

Ugh, this has the Stothert hallmarks of short term gain for huge long term costs written all over it.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:04 am

The Swanson branch closure would at least be in tandem with the new main branch at 72/dodge, but it’s the Cather etc. line that worries me

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:06 am

I think this could be a positive and we really don’t know if they do plan to close branches - we don’t have much information based on reading the tweets. Heritage projects have been in the cities best interest and they have the $ to really make our library system an innovative model for other cities. I haven’t been to a physical library for several years but I regularly download materials from our libraries. Privatizing (I’m sure it will remain free - Heritage is not a money making scheme) doesn’t always mean disaster.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 9:19 am

Linkin5 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:52 am
Louie wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:47 am So this is rolling around twitter, not sure how connected to the redevelopment of W Dale Clark it is, but I'm sure that privatization of the public library system is a big freakin problem, access to information, no matter your financial standing is a basic human right:
This would be disastrous and would no doubt gut the Omaha Public Library system. Hopefully this news picks up some steam so we can get some opposition going.

Amid backlash over library plans, Heritage exec says Omaha system will remain 'public entity'

Jeffrey Robb
An earlier plan to rework the Omaha Public Library’s oversight and operational structure is not under consideration as part of a major capital investment in the libraries, a philanthropic leader said Wednesday.

Omaha’s Heritage Services, which has led a series of local civic philanthropy efforts, is planning a campaign for what one official called potentially the largest private donation in the Omaha Public Library’s history.
...
A tweet posted by SaveOmahaPublicLibrary said: “We believe that this proposed ‘reimagining’ would significantly weaken OPL’s ability to serve the people of Omaha and make us a worse community for it.”

It’s not clear who created the new account. No one responded to a tweet directed to the account.

As backlash flared online, organizers behind the library project tried to douse the conflagration.

Jacobson posted on Twitter: “We have no plans (and I can’t right now imagine us developing plans) to go to the state legislature regarding libraries. Everything we’re now discussing is about supporting OPL as a public entity that operates our libraries.”

Jacobson told The World-Herald on Wednesday that people trust libraries more than any institution and “it’s important that we maintain that public trust.”

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 9:25 am

Friends- Moving forward-

Let’s stay on the GLM Redevelopment topic and potential developments that can (and will) spur from it..

The issue with privatization of the public library is a different topic and if we want to discuss it, create a thread of its own..

Thanks

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 10:32 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 9:25 am Friends- Moving forward-

Let’s stay on the GLM Redevelopment topic and potential developments that can (and will) spur from it..

The issue with privatization of the public library is a different topic and if we want to discuss it, create a thread of its own..

Thanks …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

A link to it here would be fine too

Post by **Brad** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 11:03 am

Statement from the Mayor regarding OPL privatization

Mayor Jean Stothert wrote:"Social media posts suggesting the Omaha Public Library system will be privatized are completely false. There is no such plan. It is unfortunate someone has started an irresponsible social media campaign that encourages rumor and speculation.

The OPL Board of Trustees is currently updating its strategic plan. There will be a series of public meetings coming up this fall and the Board will look forward to public comment." - Mayor Jean Stothert