This column, featuring a message about OPL's upcoming software migration, appeared in the Oct. 26, 2025, edition of the Omaha World-Herald (NE).
To many, the library is a haven of reading and resources, everything from physical materials — books, movies, music, seeds for your garden — or digital materials like online databases and research tools.
Omaha Public Library (OPL) is a vast, living ecosystem with an ever-shifting collection of materials and resources responding to the needs of nearly a quarter-million cardholders across the metro area. And the heart of this ecosystem is a critical, often-unseen software system — the Integrated Library System (ILS) — that manages every book, every patron, and every transaction.
Right now, OPL is preparing to undergo a major software migration that will temporarily cause some disruption but promises to unlock a new level of service and efficiency.
Services will be limited throughout the month of November, and OPL expects to return to full service in December.
A small pause for a huge leap
Any time you change a core tool of an organization, there are going to be speed bumps. The temporary disruption is the unavoidable price of progress.
What you need to know:
- Keep your materials longer! Deadlines for physical materials will be extended until the software migration is complete. OPL will be unable to process returns during this time, so any returned materials will remain on a cardholder’s account until mid-November.
- No new holds. Holds placement will be unavailable beginning Nov. 2 and until migration is completed.
- In-person checkouts. You can still check out physical materials in person at any OPL branch. Materials cannot be transferred between locations for pickup during this time.
- PINs will reset on Nov. 12. Due to migration, library account PINs will reset to the last four digits of the library card account. Patrons may update their PINs to a 4-digit number of their choosing.
- Branches will be closed Nov. 12-13.
The good news is that many of your favorite digital services will be available throughout the migration period! You can continue to access the following with your OPL card:
- Libby and OverDrive: Check out your favorite eBooks and eAudiobooks.
- Online Resources: Access databases for research, learning, and local history.
- Discovery Passes: Reserve and check out passes for local Omaha attractions.
There may be brief periods of intermittent disruption to these online resources as we flip the switch, but these will be largely available during the migration.
Why it’s important
Beyond books, the ILS manages thousands of patron records, keeping track of checkouts, holds, and other activity. This is where the upgrade becomes truly transformative.
The new software isn't just a more efficient system; it's a sophisticated data-analysis tool. OPL will be better able to:
- Be more responsive: By analyzing real-time borrowing habits, OPL can more quickly identify community needs, allowing them to purchase the right materials and resources more efficiently.
- Optimize the collection: It can show librarians which books circulate best in each branch’s community, helping them tailor collections to match the unique borrowing habits of individual branches.
- Improve efficiencies: Streamlined internal processes mean less time spent on administrative tasks and more time for staff to spend with the public, offering personalized recommendations and running engaging programs.
Your patience during this transition is appreciated. Rest assured, the teams working on this migration are focused on one goal: creating a better, more powerful, and more responsive library system.
Once the transition is complete, we'll have a more robust software and a deeper understanding of how to best serve our community. The library is a reflection of Omaha, and this upgrade ensures that the organization remains a vibrant and essential hub of knowledge for years to come.
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