This column, featuring information about the process of curating Central Library's new collection appeared in the March 29, 2026, edition of the Omaha World-Herald (NE). It is also available at Omaha.com (opens in a new tab).
Patron voices, high-tech storage help shape the Omaha Public Library's collection
As the April 19 opening of the Central Library approaches, the visible transformation of the facility signals a new chapter for the community.
The furniture is getting delivered, the artwork is being put into place and books are being shelved. But how does the Omaha Public Library decide which books to add to its collection?
The library's Collection Development team works to purchase materials for the entire library system and has been preparing for over a year to buy an entirely new collection to fill the shelves of the new Central Library.
The team meticulously reviews checkout trends, researches with publishers and responds to community requests to build a dynamic collection of materials that reflects the needs and interests of Omaha’s diverse population. Team members cover a lot of ground, selecting materials over a wide range of interests, age levels and formats.
Angela Fernandez, one of three Collection Development librarians in Omaha, shared that the general process is a bit of a feedback loop. The team uses a variety of resources to be aware of what books are on the horizon. After an initial order, they monitor the number of holds that are placed on each book, signaling which ones may need more copies to meet the demand, usually before a book even hits the shelves.
Additionally, patrons can log in to their account on the library's website or via the MyOPL app to “suggest a purchase” for something they would like to see in the collection. Patrons can suggest up to five items per month and help the library be responsive to community needs.
Building an opening-day collection for a new location requires a shift in perspective from daily maintenance to comprehensive curation. Fernandez notes that this task called for a deep dive into genre distribution. The team analyzes the distribution of mysteries, romances, classics, and other genres to ensure the shelves offer a variety in each category. This process carries through all areas of the collection, from nonfiction and DVDs to picture and chapter books and beyond.
These new materials are an investment for the entire library system, and the integration of the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) at the new Central Library is another optimization. Utilizing this high-efficiency storage — the ASRS has the capacity for approximately 600,000 items — allows the library to retain materials longer and bring greater breadth to the collection, says Collection Development Manager Deirdre Routt.
“Whereas previously we have been limited by the amount of space on the shelves at the branches, with the ASRS, we can store materials that are not as popular, but people might still want to read,” Routt says.
Ultimately, the work of the Collection Development team over the past year transcends the simple act of filling shelves; it is about fostering a dynamic environment where the collection works in tandem with the rest of the building’s features to connect Omahans with their library.
Designed as a welcoming space with something for everyone, the Central Library aims to be a hub of community connection and collaboration. As Fernandez reflects, "It will be great to see our community enhance the ways they already use the library, reconnect if they haven’t been for a while, or have an entirely new experience."
About Omaha Public Library
Omaha Public Library (OPL) strengthens our communities by connecting people with ideas, information, and innovative services, acting as an essential catalyst, collaborator, and connector. Learn about OPL's collections, facilities, services, programs and more at omahalibrary.org.
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