Omaha Central Library

Omaha Central Library
Omaha Central Library in 2026
41°15′33″N 96°01′29″W / 41.259193°N 96.024637°W / 41.259193; -96.024637
LocationOmaha, Nebraska, U.S.
TypePublic library
EstablishedApril 19, 2026 (2026-04-19)
ArchitectsAlley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, and HDR, Inc.
Branch ofOmaha Public Library
Other information
Websiteomahacentrallibrary.org

Omaha Central Library is a public library in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It is the main branch of the Omaha Public Library system. The four-story library was designed by Omaha-based HDR, Inc. and Alley Poyner Marchietto. Omaha Central Library features local artwork around the building. The library also features an Automatic Storage and Retrieval System, which is the only of its kind in a public library in the United States. The second floor of the library includes Do Space, a community technology center. The third floor is the Genealogy and Local History area.

The Omaha Public Library system was formed in 1872 and opened its first permanent location, designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball, in 1894. After outgrowing its previous location, Omaha Public Library moved its central library to the W. Dale Clark Library in 1977. By the 2010s, the W. Dale Clark Library itself was considered outdated. The library closed in 2022, while a new library, Omaha Central Library, was announced that same year. Construction began in 2023, and the library officially opened on April 19, 2026.

History

Omaha Central Library replaced the former W. Dale Clark Library in Downtown Omaha

Background

The Omaha Public Library system was formed in 1872, originally located on the second floor of the Simpson Carriage factory at 14th & Dodge Street. Originally a private library, it later became a public library in 1877. The system moved into its first permanent home in 1894 near South 19th & Harney Streets. The Second Renaissance Revival style building was designed by future Nebraska Hall of Fame inductee Thomas Rogers Kimball. Following years of disrepair and limited space, a replacement for the original Omaha Public Library building was announced in 1974.

Its replacement, the W. Dale Clark Library, opened in 1977. The library was built during a time of urban renewal for Omaha and was built adjacent to the Gene Leahy Mall. The W. Dale Clark Library underwent one major renovation in 2000. It was demolished in 2022 to make way for the Mutual of Omaha Headquarters Tower. The library was replaced with a downtown branch in the Old Market, which opened in 2023.

Development

By the 2010s, the W. Dale Clark Library was considered outdated for role as the main library. Several sites were considered, including one at the site of the former Omaha Civic Auditorium. However, the current site at 72nd & Dodge was selected to give more priority to the entire metropolitan area, rather than just the urban core. Located on the site was Do Space, which had recently renovated the former Borders building for its use in 2015. Fundraising was performed by Heritage Omaha, who raised $138 million for the project.

Construction

Omaha Central Library began construction in 2023, following the demolition of the former Do Space building. Do Space relocated to the Abrahams Library. The crane was removed in February 2025. Construction of the library was officially completed in November 2025. It officially opened on April 19, 2026.

Collection

Local art

Omaha Central Library features artwork by 16 Omaha-area artists, all of which are displayed around the library. All of the artwork was created during the library's construction. The artwork selected for the library includes sculptures, some of which are placed on public display outside the library.

Automatic Storage and Retrieval System

Automatic Storage and Retrieval System in 2026

Omaha Central Library features an Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). Located in the center of the building, the system spans four stories and can hold up to 600,000 volumes. It is the only system of its kind in a public library in the United States. Currently, it is used to store the library's lesser requested titles.

Do Space

Located on the second floor, Do Space is the community technology center located in Omaha Central Library. Do Space previously occupied the site from 2015 to 2023. Do Space includes 3D printers, public computers, a textile lab, and a podcast studio, all of which are free to use.

Genealogy and Local History

The Genealogy and Local History section of the library is located on the third floor. The Genealogy and Local History section contains computers, microfilm readers, and scanners. The section also provides several books relating to that of local history in the area.

Design

Upon Omaha Central Library's opening, it became the largest library in the Omaha Public Library system and serves as a replacement for the W. Dale Clark Library. The library was designed by HDR, Inc. and Alley Poyner Marchietto, and was built by Kiewit Corporation. The library is four stories tall and has a glass facade. Do Space is located on the second floor of the library.

References

  1. ↑ "State News". Dakota City Mail. May 24, 1872. p. 2. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Omaha Public Library (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Omaha Public Library", Sunday World-Herald, May 29, 1892, p8
  4. ↑ "Library Site Is Approved". The Grand Island Independent. January 9, 1974. p. 12. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ceremony Honors W. Dale Clark". Omaha World-Herald. March 21, 1977. p. 2. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  6. ↑ "New Time, Location". Omaha World-Herald. September 29, 2000. p. 45. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  7. ↑ Chapman, John (October 19, 2022). "Downtown Omaha library demolition underway". WOWT. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  8. ↑ Perez, Jessica (March 8, 2023). "Officials give an inside look at Omaha Public Library's new downtown branch". KETV. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Chapter may end for downtown library". Omaha World-Herald. May 28, 2016. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Hamer, Roger (May 20, 2022). "Plans for new Omaha library locations continue moving forward". WOWT. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  11. ↑ Piercy, Jackson (April 19, 2026). "Omaha Central Library opens to public". WOWT. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Do Space to move into Milton R Abrahams Branch of OPL while construction gets underway on new Central Library". KMTV 3 News Now Omaha. May 25, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  13. ↑ Anderson, Jake (February 11, 2025). "Crews working to remove tower crane at Omaha's new central library site". KETV. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  14. ↑ Wade, Jessica; reporter, Senior. "Take a look inside Omaha's new $158 million library". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  15. ↑ McIlree, Hannah (January 15, 2025). "Central Library construction progress: A sneak peek inside". KMTV 3 News Now Omaha. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  16. ↑ Writer, Julie Anderson World-Herald Staff (March 31, 2026). "Omaha's Central Library unveils one of the city's largest local art collections". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  17. ↑ Ashford, Molly; Media, Nebraska Public. "'It's exceeding expectations:' A conversation with an architect and designer behind Omaha's new library". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  18. ↑ Wade, Jessica; reporter, Senior. "Omaha's new library opens this weekend. Here's what visitors can expect". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Inside Omaha's New Central Public Library". Omaha Exploration. April 8, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  20. ↑ Byars, Macy; intern, Nebraska Public Media News. "Construction on new library is underway in Omaha". Nebraska Public Media (in Spanish). Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  21. ↑ by, Written (September 11, 2024). "Omaha Public Library's Central Branch". Omaha Exploration. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Omaha Central Public Library | HDR". www.hdrinc.com. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  23. ↑ "New Omaha Central Public Library to open at current Do Space site". WOWT. May 24, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2025.