After months of being closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Omaha Public Library is now announcing their branch reopening plans.
The approval of CARES Act funding by the state and county allowed for the reopening of the city's public libraries.
According to a media release from OPL, Executive Director Laura Marlane worked with the library Board of Trustees and staff to develop a phased reopening plan that begins Monday, September 21st. Library branches that have been providing curbside service will suspend curbside operations between September 13th and September 20th to prepare for reopening. Curbside services will resume at all branches during normal operating hours.
Following reopening, branches will be open Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM and Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
- Monday, Sept. 21: Five branches will open.
- Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, 2100 Reading Plaza, 402-289-4367
- Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., 402-444-4849
- Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., 402-444-4848
- Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., 402-444-6284
- Willa Cather Branch, 1905 S. 44th St., 402-444-4851
- Monday, Sept. 28: Three additional branches will open.
- A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St., 402-444-5274
- Benson Branch, 6015 Binney St., 402-444-4846
- Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson St., 402-444-5299
- The opening dates for the remaining four branches will be announced at a later time.
- Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., 402-444-5780
- W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., 402-444-4800
- W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., 402-444-4852
- South Omaha Library, 2808 Q St., 402-444-4850
Three branch locations, Millard Branch, Milton R. Abrahams Branch and W. Dale Clark Main Library, will offer Sunday hours, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, once they reopen.
Book drops will open as branches reopen beginning September 21st, and items checked out will resume normal due dates. Items checked out during OPL’s closure will be due for return on October 19th.
Meeting and study rooms will not be available for reservation for the foreseeable future. Computers will be available for public use, however, due to physical distancing, there will be less computers available. “Things will look a little different than prior to our closure,” Marlane said, “but there are also many exciting changes. Branches that were previously open five days a week will now be open six days a week, and adding curbside service is another great benefit that our patrons have come to appreciate.”
As more information becomes available, OPL will provide updates on its website, omahalibrary.org, as well as through its social media channels and email. Masks will be required for all OPL visitors until further notice.