Top Questions

To search the catalog, click on the "Search" button (indicated by the magnifying glass) in the upper right corner of the homepage. You can use the drop-down box to search by title or author.

You can also click on the "Catalog" button in the navigation menu.

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In a search results list, place a hold by looking to the right of the title:

  • Click on the green button with the words Place a Hold.

If you’re looking at a title’s record:

  • Click on the green button with the words Place a Hold on the right side of the screen.

To see what you already have on hold:

  • Click on the blue Log In button located in the upper right-hand corner
  • Choose the Holds menu option under My Borrowing
  • Log into your account if you haven't already

Enable one-click holds for faster service!

You can enable one-click holds by checking the box you see when you place a hold that says Enable Single Click Holds. Once you enable one-click holds, you will be able to place a hold in one-click as long as you're logged in.

Please note:

You can have 40 items on hold at one time. This includes any paused holds.

You can also call any OPL location to place a hold.

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Holds requested for pickup within a library branch are held for seven days. Items requested for pickup at the Bess Johnson Elkhorn Pickup Lockers are held for five days.

We’re unable to extend the amount of time an individual hold is held; this ensures everyone receives their holds in a timely manner.

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You may only enter the Reading Challenge once each year. Once you’ve finished all of the challenges and either turned in your sheet from the notebook or completed the form online, you’re done for the year! 

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Due to the limited number of passes available, cardholders who are City of Omaha and Douglas County residents or property owners, as well as individuals who choose to pay for an Omaha Public Library card, are welcome to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Accounts with outstanding balances greater than $50 may start or continue a payment plan in order to obtain a ticket. Expired accounts must be renewed and outstanding fees must be paid in order to obtain a ticket.

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The Genealogy Room at 3020 S 84th Street has a variety of microfilm readers available, including four which can scan microfilm images to a flash drive, and two that will print ledger-sized (11.5 x 17 inches) images.

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Yes, we do. Public fax machines are available at all locations and include faxing and scanning capabilities. 

This service is available at no cost.

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We send notifications for holds, materials nearing their due date, overdue materials and lost materials. These notifications can be sent by email, phone or text messages.

Lost materials notifications or billed notices will always be sent by mail.

Email
To receive email notifications, add your email address to your account. To add your email address, log in and go to My Settings. Please add notice@omahalibrary.org to your email address book to assist delivery of notifications.

Phone
If you do not have an email address in your account, we'll send you automated phone notifications of holds and overdue materials. Phone notices will only be sent to local phone numbers and will be sent from the phone number 402.546.1217.

Text Message
To opt into text alerts, log into your account via our classic catalog and click on Change My Info. In the Mobile Settings area, check the box next to Opt In. You will receive a text message asking you if you'd like to opt in. Reply "YES" to opt in. Alerts are sent when your holds are ready to be picked up and when materials are nearing their due dates and will come from the number 35143.

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Sign in to your account by clicking Log In / My Account in the upper right corner of any page of the new website or catalog.

If it's your first time logging in, you’ll need to register your account and create a username.

If you’re already logged in, click the blue My Account button at the top right of any page of the new website or catalog to see a menu for your account.

You can access your checked out items, holds, shelves, and other account features directly from this menu.

BiblioCommons, our catalog vendor, has provided detailed instructions for using the catalog to find items and manage your account. Browse or search their Catalog Instructions, opens a new window.

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Materials can be returned to any library location. All libraries have bookdrops where materials may be returned after hours.

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Check out is limited to forty (40) items per account and is subject to limitations.  The number of specific types of items (such as seeds, partnership passes, and other popular items) may be limited due to popular demand.

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Interlibrary loan can be used to request:

  • Books and audiobooks
  • DVDs published at least a year ago
  • Music CDs
  • Journal articles
  • Microfilm
  • Different formats of an item (for example, you may request a print version of a book OPL offers only as an eBook or audiobook)

Suggest a Purchase can be used to request:

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Here are the steps:

If you haven't yet downloaded your item: You can get the eBook site on our website by clicking on Explore > Format > eBooks on the top left of any page on our website, or you can bookmark their direct link: https://omaha.overdrive.com

If you’ve downloaded the title, you can return from your Loans page of your Overdrive Account. 

  1. Visit Loans page.
  2. Select Return beneath the title.

If you use the Libby app on your phone or tablet: 

  1. Click on the icon of two stacked books with a bookmark.
  2. Tap loans at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap Manage Loan.
  4. Tap Return Early, then Return.

 If you haven't downloaded the item yet, you will see a “Return” option next to it.

Returning Kindle Books

You can return Kindle Books like any other book in Libby.

If you'd prefer, you can return Kindle Books from Amazon instead:

  1. Go to your "Manage Your Content and Devices" page on Amazon.
  2. Find the title in the "Your Content" list, then tap the icon with the three dots.
  3. Tap Return this book in the pop-up window.
  4. Select Yes to confirm and return the book.

The returned Kindle Book may still appear on your Kindle device or reading app, but you won't be able to open it. Follow these steps to fully remove the title from your device.

If you need more detailed help tailored for your device, please visit the OverDrive (OPL's eBook vendor) help site.

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Omaha Public Library supports the work of Nebraska authors and artists. Omaha Public Library defines "local" as a current or former resident of Nebraska.

Authors and artists can donate up to two copies of their book, CD, or DVD and ask that it be considered for the Library collection. Please note that only professionally bound books will be considered. Along with the item(s), please send a cover letter that includes ISBN, cost, and publisher, as well as any available reviews by standard media (i.e. professional journals or newspapers) to:

Omaha Public Library
Collection Development Department
3020 S. 84th St
Omaha, Nebraska 68124

The above information can also be delivered to one of our branch libraries.

Authors may also submit a request that their book be purchased by filling out this form.

These items will be evaluated according to our Collection Development Policy, as are all titles considered for the collection. If added to Library, the item(s) will be part of our floating collection and subject to our standard weeding procedures. Acceptance of items into our collection does not guarantee the Library will purchase additional copies.

Because of the volume of requests, the Library is unable to return submitted materials or respond directly to each author or artist.

For tips for self-published authors working with libraries, please see this resource.

Thank you for suggesting your work for the Omaha Public Library collection.

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Circulation rules, including loan periods, renewals, and use of materials, are set by the lending library.

Items must be returned at the circulation desk, not in the book drop.

To request a renewal on your ILL item, call 402.444.4841.

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A teacher in Douglas County can be issued an Organization Card under his/her school/particular class name (with the card listed as c/o the principal and the teacher as the primary user). The applicant must bring an Organization Card Application completed by the principal and be prepared to show photo ID and proof of the school's address. Check-out limits and fine/fee policies are the same as resident library cards.

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Apply on our website or come into any library with your photo I.D. If your I.D. doesn't have your current address, bring along a legal document with your name and current address on it, or a piece of mail dated in the last 30 days.

For anyone age 18 or below, a parent or guardian must also be listed on the application. For anyone age 10 or below, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application or a parent signature must be returned later if the parent is not present at the time of application.

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