Omaha’s Central Library opens to the public today on the southwest corner of 72nd & Dodge Street. Mayor John Ewing will cut the ribbon at 12:30 p.m.
The $158 million library marks the largest private investment in a public library system in the United States in many years. It is the first public library in the country to have an “Automated Storage and Retrieval System,” a 3-story, secured, climate-controlled system can store more than 600,000 materials, allowing the library system to grow its collection without being limited by shelf space in branches.
The library combines traditional library services with state-of-the-art amenities, including the integration of the former Do Space into the Omaha Public Library system (with 3D printers, sewing and quilting machines, a video studio, podcast studio and more). The genealogy and local history sections are on the 3rd floor, offering a large space for anyone researching their family or community’s history.
Counting a mezzanine level and a ground level, the building essentially has five floors and 96,000 sq. ft. of total space.
Central Library’s design was shaped by input from the Omaha community, including more than 1,600 survey responses, meetings with hundreds of diverse community organizations and a public open house. It was led by a partnership between the City of Omaha, Omaha Public Library, Omaha Public Library Foundation, Do Space and Heritage Omaha, which oversaw raising the funds and construction of the building.
Photo by Brad Williams
