RubyScanlan

It’s not every day that a sleek, new library opens up in Omaha, especially during National Library Week. Families flocked to the new Omaha Central Library for its grand opening on April 19. Modern architecture and state-of-the-art technology work with pieces of history to immerse Omaha residents in a literary journey. 

The building had been under construction for four years. The line of people lying in wait outside of the front doors, attesting to how highly anticipated the library has been. One Creighton Prep junior, King Maxwell, frequently drove by the library while it was under construction. “Going to Prep… I’ve seen this building so many times driving in this direction, Maxwell said. Maxwell was featured in the opening ceremony of the library after taking a leap of faith and submitting his poem to the mayor’s office. “For years I have anticipated this day,” he said.

Dr. Viv Ewing, the First Lady of Omaha, attended the event, sharing her hopes for the future of the library. “The impact that I want to see this library have is to be a beacon of light and hope,…reading and education and opportunity across the city,” she said.    

Feeling the urge to create something expressing this feeling, Maxwell wrote a poem and “took a shot in the dark, and so I sent it to the mayor’s office,” Maxwell said. The mayor’s office responded swiftly and asked him to read it at the opening. 

Young and old came together to celebrate with two poem readings, followed by a speech by Mayor John Ewing Jr. before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. People flooded into the aisles, searching for their next big read and the lines to sign up for a library card snaked through the crowd. 

The highlight of the first floor is a technological marvel. Allowing for more storage, the Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) stores books within the heart of the library. 

This robotic storage system “allows for thoughtful curation and sharing of materials at all library branches, while creating more spaces for people to connect, engage and explore,” according to the Omaha Central Library website. “There’s nothing like it in the world,” said Ewing. “To have this multi-story opportunity for a robot to go find the book and then bring it in, put it on a conveyor belt and bring it out in front of you, it is amazing,” she said.

While walking through the crowds, people marveled at the new space, with a few remarking about how the young attendees would be able to tell their kids about this day and bring them to the library, then their grandkids and their kids. 

The second floor is home to DoSpace and the kids section, a staple for families with kids.  “The library was built with young people in mind. Not just as readers, but as thinkers, creators, and leaders,” said Laura Marlane, the executive director of Omaha Public Library, in her opening remarks. The inclusive space with all sorts of child-friendly activities was where Mayor John Ewing Jr. and Dr. Viv Ewing, read “A Place for Scamper,” a new book featuring the new library, to little readers.

What sets this library apart from all else, is the lengthy collection of local history and genealogy archives. On the third floor, the library features an assortment of yearbooks, city directories, genealogy research guides and historical records. This multitude of resources provides any curious descendants of their origins and their history beyond the state of Nebraska. 

Hopes for the library from the community are centered on the innovation and growth of all ages, culturally and socially. “I hope that people really use this space how it’s intended to create more opportunities,” Maxwell said, wanting the community to “foster the future.” 

The Omaha Central Library has only been open for a short amount of time, but its cultural impact on the community is already being felt. Ewing said, “One of the things I am particularly proud of is this location, this library, has the largest collection of local art in any public museum in the country.” The library doubles as an art gallery, featuring several sculptures and other works of art from local artists.