Omaha Central Library Opens to the Public
Omaha, Nebraska — April 19, 2026
With a crowd of library patrons of all ages looking on, Omaha Mayor John W. Ewing, Jr., cut the ribbon to officially open Omaha Central Library to the public on Sunday. The 102,000 square foot building at 72nd and Dodge streets is the new hub of the Omaha Public Library (OPL) system, combining traditional library books and services with in-demand social amenities and state-of-the-art technologies.
Once the ribbon was cut, visitors spread out to explore the library. They were eager to see the new collection of books displayed for easy browsing and to explore the tech and makerspace equipment available at Do Space. Patrons watched as the robotic arms of the Automated Storage and Retrieval System – the three-story book storage system at the center of the building – retrieved books requested from OPL’s large collection. Visitors were amazed at the building’s design and amenities, with plenty of comfortable spaces both indoors and outdoors to read and gather surrounded by a stunning collection of public art.
OPL Executive Director Laura Marlane said the opening of Omaha Central Library felt like the turning of a new page for the entire city. “This library is more than a building – it’s a statement about who we are and what we believe in,” Marlane said. “Omaha Central Library stands for access – to information, technology, and opportunity - and for the idea that everyone in this community deserves a place where they can learn, create, and connect.”
The $158 million project was facilitated by Heritage Omaha, which raised $138 million from donors to fund the project. The City of Omaha contributed $20 million in redevelopment bonds and remains committed to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the entire OPL system.
Mayor John W. Ewing, Jr., said the world-class library is a testament to the public-private partnerships that Omaha does so well. “Thanks to the donors, led by Heritage Omaha, we created a building that is more than bricks and mortar,” Ewing said. “Omaha Central Library is an investment in literacy, digital equity, community development, and individual potential – and likely the envy of public libraries across the nation.”
Omaha Central Library was launched by Omaha Public Library and the City of Omaha in partnership with three nonprofit organizations – Omaha Public Library Foundation, Heritage Omaha, and Do Space. Information about the project, including a timeline of project milestones, is at OmahaCentralLibrary.org. Information about the Omaha Public Library system is available at OmahaLibrary.org.
FACTS ABOUT OMAHA CENTRAL LIBRARY
General Information
- Designed by HDR and Alley Poyner Machhietto Architecture, Omaha Central Library spans 102,000 square feet including the mezzanine level.
- The $158 million project was facilitated by Heritage Omaha, which raised $138 million from donors to fund the project. The City of Omaha contributed $20 million in redevelopment bonds and remains committed to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the entire Omaha Public Library system. $20 million of the total project cost was allocated to a reserve fund for future investments in technology.
ASRS
- The Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) can store up to 600,000 items from OPL’s large collection in its three-story, climate-controlled vault.
- The ASRS allows OPL to employ a collections hub approach that will serve every OPL branch, allowing for thoughtfully curated books and materials displayed for visitors to discover.
- Omaha Central Library is the only public library in the United States to have an ASRS.
Do Space
- Do Space, the nation’s first technology library, was integrated into the OPL system as part of the Central Library project.
- Do Space has a designated home on the 2nd floor of Omaha Central Library, with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing and embroidery machines, a serger, a long-arm quilter, an apparel printer, a swell printer, video and podcast studios, and so much more.
- Do Space is also located at OPL’s Abrahams Branch, and the goal is to extend Do Space programming and technology throughout the OPL system.
Public Art
- 16 Omaha-area artists were selected to create art for the new library through a call for art that drew 242 applicants from the Omaha metro area. Each artist received commissions to develop and fabricate their pieces, with a total philanthropic investment of $1.3 million in local art.
- The art was created as the library was being built, providing a rare opportunity for artists to work alongside the project team as they formulated their ideas and fabricated their pieces.
Getting to the library
- Approximately 300 parking spaces are available at Omaha Central Library in the attached parking garage and the adjacent parking lots. Omaha Central Library is accessible via the ORBT bus route along Dodge Street and Route 18 along 72nd Street, with bus stops just outside the library doors.
Other Notes
- Omaha Central Library features 16 reservable meeting rooms, a Community Room which is available for rent, an outdoor garden, a floor for genealogy and local history, and a large, colorful children’s area.
- Exterior book lockers, book drops, and a drive-thru window will make picking up and returning materials on hold from Omaha Central Library easy for all.
- The building achieved LEED Gold certification for its sustainable design, energy efficiency, and environmental quality. It’s one of just a few buildings in the state of Nebraska to achieve LEED Gold status.