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 Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) is a private, non-profit, volunteer organization. Friends are people, like you, who take pride in their Library system and through their memberships and volunteer services, raise funds to support the Omaha Public Library's programs.
The Friends work in cooperation with the Library staff to inform the community about the excellent services and activities provided by the Omaha Public Library. Revenues raised through the Friends book sales support Library programs that would not be possible without the private funds from the Friends, The Omaha Library Foundation and other granting agencies.
Being a Friend
Your membership in FOPL is tax-deductible. As a member you are invited to the Members' Only Night pre-sale prior to each quarterly book sale, and receive advance notice and invitations to special Library events and special Friends book sales. Most importantly, you know that 100% of your membership dollars are used to support Library programs, purchase needed equipment and make it possible for our Library branches to continue to provide outstanding service and programs in every part of our community.
The Friends of the Omaha Public Library support a strong library system. We want our library to be as good as it can possibly be, to make Omaha a better city and to improve all of our lives. Your membership indicates that you are part of a growing group of Omahans who care enough about the Library to be a "friend".
What Do the Friends Do?
What does the Omaha Public Library mean to you and your family? Books... tapes... CD's... research services... access to computers… genealogical materials... a place to go with your children for books and storytime... The Library is all of these things and more, and many of these services are possible because of the financial assistance of the Friends.
The Friends group fulfills the special needs of the Library system which are NOT funded by the city and county. For example, the Friends of the Omaha Public Library (FOPL):
- Purchased $10,000 in microfilms for the Genealogy Department
- Provided $40,000 to purchase equipment to store digital images from the Trans-Mississippi Exposition and make the collection available on-line
- Helps fund the Summer and Winter Reading Clubs and several other special Library programs, such as "Prime Time" at the Washington Branch and the "Teen Art Project" at the Benson Branch
- FOPL funds have provided educational opportunities for Library staff members through our Bess Brodkey Grant Program
- Purchased window shades for the Millard Branch, new upholstery for the Swanson Branch, carpets for the Kids Nursery Rhymes Learning Carpet Project, digital cameras for each branch, and other needed equipment
The Friends have also helped fund the Library Staff retreat, the Poetry Bash, the Virginia Frank Young Writers Contest, and dozens of other activities that would not be possible without cutting back on other Library services
Through the Friends Adopt-A-Branch Program, each Omaha Public Library Branch has the opportunity to purchase equipment and materials for the specific needs of each branch and the markets they serve. This year, the Adopt-A-Branch Program purchased signage and a refrigerator for the Willa Cather Branch, stereo listening systems for children's computers, sponsored Kwanzaa and Cinco de Mayo celebrations, a display fixture for the Young Adult section at the Sorensen Branch, helped fund the mobile project at the Benson Branch in which students designed a large mobile under the guidance of a local artist, and many other items and programs not mentioned here.
The Friends could not function without the help of our volunteers. At the book sales we need people to work as cashiers, sort books, load sales tables with books, and numerous other functions. Prior to the sales people are needed to price and sort books. After the sale is over many unsold books need to be boxed up for the next sale because our shelf space is limited.
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer or contact us please send an email to omahalibraryfriends@gmail.com or a letter to Friends of the Omaha Public Library at:
P.O. Box 6032
Omaha, NE
68106
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