Residents of Omaha have long awaited a glimpse inside the city’s latest architectural marvel situated at the southwest corner of 72nd and Dodge Streets. This Sunday marks the day when the doors to the new Central Library will finally open to the public.
The library stands out as a unique addition to Omaha’s landscape. Its design, featuring hundreds of horizontal windows, provides an intriguing view into the 96,000-square-foot facility. Inside, visitors will find a three-story “book robot,” spaces for community events, a 3D printing lab, and a genealogy research hub. As a major investment in the public library system, this facility is one of the largest of its kind in the United States in recent years.
Opening Day Schedule
Festivities begin at 12 p.m. with opening remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Omaha Mayor John Ewing and Omaha Public Library Executive Director Laura Marlane. A special storytime hosted by the mayor and his wife, Viv Ewing, is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Parking and Transportation
Approximately 300 parking spaces are available in the parking garage connected to Dodge Street and in nearby lots south of the library. Anticipating large crowds during the opening week, visitors are advised to carpool, use rideshare services, or take advantage of the library’s proximity to Metro Transit’s ORBT bus route and Route 18.
To enhance accessibility, Metro Transit offers free fares on ORBT this Sunday. Bus riders can also enjoy free parking at the Westroads Transit Center, conveniently located next to the ORBT station.
Community Engagement
According to Stacy Lickteig, senior manager of community engagement for Omaha Public Library, the grand opening promises to be memorable. “We are a gathering space. We are a connector,” Lickteig noted, emphasizing the library’s role in creating a versatile environment. “When people walk in, they’re going to say, oh, there’s a spot that I can sit down in this corner, I can read my book, I can observe the world, I can be part of community, or I can be slightly off and by myself, and it’s all okay here.”
Innovative Features
The library’s main level boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal the Automated Storage and Retrieval System. This three-story, climate-controlled “book robot” can store over 600,000 materials, allowing the Omaha Public Library to expand its collection without space constraints in branches.
Collaborative Efforts
The library project was a collaborative endeavor involving the City of Omaha, Omaha Public Library (OPL), Omaha Public Library Foundation, Do Space, and Heritage Omaha. These organizations spearheaded the fundraising and construction efforts, with plans to officially gift the building to the city later this year.
Heritage Omaha also played a crucial role in establishing Do Space, the nation’s first technology library, over a decade ago at the same location. Integrated with OPL earlier this year, Do Space occupies a significant portion of the Central Library’s second floor, featuring a podcast studio, textile lab, and 3D printers.
