Omaha Public Library (OPL) invites members of the community to share their ideas for the new downtown library branch, which will be located at 1401 Jones St. There will be a community open house at W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., on Sunday, May 22, 2:30-4:30 p.m., in the Michael Phipps Gallery on the first floor. All ages are welcome.
As interior design plans are nearing completion, this open house provides participants with an opportunity to influence how the finished space will be activated and developed. The format of this event will consist of a short presentation about the project from members of the design team (HDR, Margaret Sullivan Studio, and Noddle Companies), followed by a series of exercises designed to help participants imagine the possibilities for their new library. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have access to representatives from organizations involved with the project to ask one-on-one questions.
Relocation of the downtown branch to a smaller, more efficient location was recommended in OPL’s 2017 facilities master plan. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced the library’s move from its current space at 215 S. 15th St., to 1401 Jones St., on November 23, 2021. Since that time, plans have been in progress to vacate W. Dale Clark Main Library in favor of a space that best meets the needs of the downtown community and library users.
