December 28, 1951 – April 18, 2021
“Crystal made this a better place to work just by being herself,” said W. Clarke Swanson Branch Manager Matt Couch, who worked alongside Matz at W. Dale Clark Main Library, opens a new window.
With more than 40 years of service to OPL, Library Specialist Crystal Matz had done a little bit of everything. Originally hired in 1980 as a librarian at South Omaha Library, opens a new window, Matz worked at a variety of locations and was promoted to a management position in 2005. She retired the following year, but rejoined the OPL team as a part-time library specialist soon thereafter, and worked in that role at Main Library up to her unexpected passing on April 18.
Those who worked with Matz appreciated her attention to detail, resourcefulness, and dedication to the needs of patrons and staff. She especially focused on maintaining the collection and tracking down items that patrons had requested.
“Crystal was always a delight to work with,” said retired OPL Community Outreach & Partnership Manager Linda Trout. “She had good ideas and could think of new ways to get something done or find answers to questions that seemed impossible to answer.”
Matz also had special ways of showing appreciation to her coworkers. “She was a friendly, sweet, and generous person,” said Library Specialist Cynthia Vana. “I helped her a few times with technology issues and she blew me away by reciprocating with a gift of a beautiful floral-on-white needlepoint tea towel she had made. What a stunning gift and a wonderful memory!”
OPL Security Officer Dan Gaskill shared that Matz “was always so quick to say hello,” which, though small, may be one of the many things that will be missed the most as we say goodbye to a treasured colleague and friend.
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