Opl annual report 2015

Perspectives

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

About Us Mission: Omaha Public Library (OPL) strengthens our community by connecting people with ideas, information and innovative services.

Vision: Omaha is a vital and vibrant city, with OPL as an essential catalyst, collaborator and connector.

Core Values: Service excellence Integrity Innovation Community engagement Equal & inclusive access Staff talent

Contents About OPL Message from the Boards New Director Community Partnership Digital Archives, Speed Dating After-School Programs Author Visits Summer Reading Program Download Nebraska Library Facilitators 2015 Year in Review / Financials Friends of Omaha Public Library New Ways to Support OPL Omaha Public Library Foundation Financial Gifts Board / Administration / Managers

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For years, librarians have known that the only thing they can count on to be consistent in their profession is that there will always be change. At Omaha Public Library (OPL), 2015 was a year of many changes, big and small. Regardless of what happens behind the scenes, it is our hope that our patrons have quality experiences in their libraries, and receive access to information in a safe, friendly, and helpful environment. The spaces OPL has created, physical and virtual, aim to support Omaha and Douglas County residents as they work toward individual dreams and a stronger community.

In 2015, OPL experienced a change of leadership, during which many helpful hands emerged to see the library through a period of transition. Trustees, Friends and Foundation board members, staff, and volunteers worked together to advance OPL toward the achievement of its strategic plan goals, while ensuring that the Library’s mission of serving its community remained a top priority.

It became clear that OPL had much to be grateful for as part of a generous and supportive community which values its library.

Of course, there are some things that never change. OPL’s neighborhood branches continue to offer a wide selection of books, magazines, DVDs, music, and more for patrons to browse in person or search for online. Though the variety of formats in which these materials can be accessed seems to keep growing, OPL strives to provide a balanced collection to satisfy the needs of all community members through fiction and nonfiction works, databases for research and personal enrichment, programs and events to connect people with their passions, and partnerships with other area organizations.

None of this would be possible without public/private partnerships that are a cornerstone of our community’s success. OPL benefits not only from the public funds received from City of Omaha and Douglas County taxpayers, but also from the efforts of the Omaha Public Library Foundation, the Friends of Omaha Public Library, and the support of so many volunteers and advocates of the Omaha Public Library system. This structure allows OPL to offer 12 neighborhood library locations filled with bestsellers, classics, CDs, and computers; as well as programming to enhance literacy and language skills, personal and professional development, and a whole lot of fun.

Thank you for another tremendous year. We are here because of you.

Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees Omaha Public Library Foundation Board of Directors Friends of Omaha Public Library Board of Directors

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Change in Leadership In 2015, the OPL Board of Trustees conducted a nationwide search for the next executive director of Omaha Public Library. They unanimously voted to extend an offer to Laura Marlane, who assumed the position on September 28.

“What really stood out about Laura was her focus on people. We felt that her enthusiasm for her work, experience, and passion would continue to move the library in the right direction.” - Board of Trustees President Mike Meyer

Laura Marlane previously served as executive director of Providence Community Library in Providence, Rhode Island.

With more than 30 years of experience working in public, academic and research libraries across Rhode Island, her career included a variety of different roles and accomplishments.

This experience served her well as she began her tenure at OPL by tackling some hefty issues such as the budget, security, and technology.

“I look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead at OPL,” Marlane said. “It’s a great community with a strong sense of creativity and support.”

Marlane replaced the previous director, Gary Wasdin, who resigned in January 2015 to accept a library director position with King County Library System. Wasdin had served as OPL’s director since January 2010.

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Community Partnership In January 2015, the Learning Community Center of North Omaha opened its doors to families in the area with hopes of improving their life opportunities. OPL is one of the many organizations playing a part to help make that mission possible.

OPL employs a part-time library specialist to work onsite in a dedicated library space. The onsite OPL employee leads storytimes and literacybuilding activities for kids and their caregivers. The specialist also visits the onsite childcare classrooms, two nearby elementary schools, and several nearby childcare centers to conduct storytime. Additionally, OPL offers books and activity kits that parents can borrow.

“The Center’s focus on early childhood education makes it the perfect place for OPL to contribute,” said OPL Youth Services Manager Julie Humphrey. “Studies repeatedly show that development of literacy skills at an early age makes all the difference in a child’s overall educational success.”

OPL’s presence in the new Learning Community Center is made possible through funding from the Omaha Public Library Foundation and the Learning Community.

1612 N. 24 St. | 402.964.2405

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Digital Archives Many people can remember doing research the old-fashioned way: poring over old newspapers using microfiche or microfilm. While much Omaha history is still preserved in this format, researching the Omaha World-Herald archives became much easier with the acquisition of its digital archives (1885-1983). OPL patrons had been using this valuable resource as a trial since May 2012, and it was added to OPL’s permanent collection in early 2015.

The digital archives allow people to search for and see historic newspaper stories and advertisements for free through a computer database that is easily navigable, savable, and printable. The resource was made possible through the fundraising efforts of the Omaha Public Library Foundation, with a very special consideration of The Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation, which made the lead gift, thereby securing naming rights of the digital archives.

The late Gilbert Hitchcock founded the Omaha Daily World newspaper in 1885 and served as its publisher. In 1889, he purchased the Omaha Herald. Following the Herald’s acquisition, Hitchcock consolidated it and the Daily World to create the morning and evening editions of the Omaha World-Herald .

Neely Kountze, president of the Hitchcock Foundation, is Martha Hitchcock’s great-nephew. “My Great-Aunt Martha started the Hitchcock Foundation to posthumously honor her late husband,” Kountze said. “If she were alive today, I think she would find the Omaha World-Herald digital archives a marvelous way to preserve and make available to the public the beloved newspaper Gilbert gave birth to more than 125 years ago.”

Sara Marie Photography, saramariephotokc.com

Speed Dating In February 2015, OPL staff felt confident in hosting their sixth annual Speed Dating event. At that point, there was already one marriage and a beautiful baby boy as a result of a Speed Dating meeting, and another wedding scheduled to take place that summer. Not too shabby! Little did they know that the year would only get better.

As usual, the event was held on Valentine’s Day weekend. More singles at different age ranges were invited to participate in an evening filled with threeminute mini-dates. In that short time, participants determined if there was an interest, and if they wanted the library to make a match by sharing contact information to set up a date on their own. Many matches resulted and OPL considered the event a success!

Marisa Ring Goepel & Christian Goepel

Fast-forward to fall 2015… OPL’s first Speed Dating couple let us know that baby #2 was on the way. The second couple was married in July, and a third couple, who had met in February, got engaged on the steps outside W. Dale Clark Main Library! The wedding is scheduled for summer 2016.

“We connect people with other passions at the library,” said Adult Services Manager Amy Mather. “Why not love?”

Kenny Champoux & Trish Tynan

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After-School Programs As November 2015 drew to an end, OPL wrapped up a second eight-week session of after-school programs with the organization Why Arts?

Though OPL has conducted after-school book clubs in Omaha Public Schools for years, a new collaboration with Why Arts? in 2015 introduced story exploration through individual and group art projects. During the fall session, students at King Science and Technology Magnet School, Lewis and Clark Middle School, McMillan Magnet Middle School, Monroe Middle School and Morton Middle School were asked to read the graphic novel American Born Chinese and use graphic art to create their own stories.

Reluctant readers were incentivized to complete a book during these after-school sessions, and many students also gained a sense of stability that they don’t always have at home.

“Many of the students we work with are in foster care,” said OPL Outreach Specialist Maggie Rasmussen. “This program provides a safe, supporting environment. Some of the kids even call their fellow classmates their ‘library family.’”

The program has produced many positive outcomes. “The same kids continue to sign up year after year for our program, even though they can choose from any variety of activities,” Rasmussen said. She also believes that OPL’s partnership with Why Arts? encouraged other after-school program providers to consider a more collaborative approach to programming.

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Author Visits OPL provided many opportunities for book lovers of all ages to meet some of their favorite authors at their own neighborhood library location.

New York Times bestselling author Alex Kava, known for her Maggie O’Dell series, spoke in August at Milton R. Abrahams Branch. Fans learned more about her most recent book, Silent Creed, and were delighted to hear from a second Nebraska author, Brock Car, as she debuted her first novel, Dead Behind the Eyes.

J.A. Jance discussed and signed copies of her 51st novel, Dance of the Bones, in October at Millard Branch. The award-winning mystery writer shared her experiences about writing, life on the reservation, and more with an audience of almost 60 people.

Summer Miller, author of New Prairie Kitchen, and J. Ryan Stradal, author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest, headlined OPL’s annual culinary conference at W. Dale Clark Main Library in November. Miller shared personal stories about her own cooking inspirations, as well as anecdotes about the individuals featured in her book.

Stradal was the first fiction author to appear at the event, and he kept the crowd entertained with how his upbringing influenced the story shared in his work.

Many other authors made appearances at OPL throughout the year including Victoria Alexander, T.A. Barron, Joy Castro, Marilyn June Coffey, Mary Connealy, Connie Crow, Phil S. Dixon, Patrick Dobson, Sarah Baker Hansen, Twyla Hansen, Matt Holland, Julie Iromuanya, Lydia Kang, Wally Lamb, Lauren Oliver, Rainbow Rowell, Timothy Schaffert, Sherri Shackelford, Bud Shaw, Jennie Shortridge, *lizzie starr, Cheryl St. John, Emily St. John Mandel, Douglas Vincent Wesselmann, Theodore Wheeler, and Wayne Wiegand. Several additional authors participated as part of the annual Author Fair and LitFest events.

J. Ryan Stradal

Lydia Kang

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Omaha Reads: Eleanor & Park

by Rainbow Rowell Each year, OPL encourages the community to join together in reading one book as part of the Omaha Reads campaign. Omaha Reads promotes literacy and provides the City with a common theme to discuss. One book is selected through a public vote and promoted through book talks, an author visit, and related programs.

Eleanor & Park by Omaha native Rainbow Rowell became the most circulated Omaha Reads title in the campaign’s history, with 1,190 check-outs. Set in Omaha, Nebraska, over the course of a school year in the mid-80s, Eleanor & Park features two star-crossed misfits who are smart enough to know that first loves almost never last, but brave and desperate enough to try.

More than 170 of Rowell’s fans attended a Q&A session with the author at W. Dale Clark Main Library, followed by a book signing and photo op. Other programming included comic and zine workshops conducted by The Union for Contemporary Art, and an anti-bullying presentation by the group RESPECT. The programs reflected themes addressed in the book.

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Summer Reading Program (SRP) Heroes of all kinds saved the day during the 2015 SRP. Kids, teens and adults alike had the chance to enjoy their favorite superheroes and celebrate local community heroes.

SRP participants met horses at the Omaha Police Department barn, made superhero gear, learned about the historic figures of the Lewis and Clark journey, and much more at over 1,000 programs throughout the city.

Events and activities provided educational and fun ways to participate in SRP, but reading has always been the emphasis of the program. In 2015, 24,219 participants logged an outstanding 202,824 hours of reading time during the summer months.

Participants also collected virtual badges through program attendance, sharing opinions about books, making and getting book recommendations, and exploring a different genre of book. For each activity completed or event attended, participants redeemed a code online to receive a virtual badge, with over 60 badges for each age group to collect. More than 70,000 virtual badges were collected by library users during SRP. Thank you to the SRP presenting sponsor, Cox Communications, and to the many new and returning sponsors who provided the support to make the program a success.

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Download Nebraska Download Nebraska is a service that allows OPL card holders to download free music from local bands and musicians.

In August 2015, OPL and its partner Hear Nebraska launched a new local music site: downloadnebraska.org.

Offering access to local music supports local artists while allowing Omaha area residents to discover unique content.

Omaha has received national recognition for its vibrant local music scene. Download Nebraska now provides a way to showcase local artists’ work to people who might not otherwise hear it.

Hear Nebraska curated the bands with a concerted effort toward representing new music from a variety of genres including country, pop, rock, folk, hip-hop and soul. At its onset, music from 50 local albums was available.

Omaha Public Library plans to work with Hear Nebraska to continue adding new local music to enjoy.

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Library Facilitators OPL facilitators were originally trained as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

They continue to help Omaha-area organizations set and achieve goals through the assistance of facilitated discussions, and convene community conversations around topics of common interest.

In 2015, OPL facilitators completed meetings for 17 community organizations. Each facilitated conversation yields significant impacts for the community in unique ways. Interactions listed below represent a sampling of the topics and groups OPL has touched.

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OPL facilitators designed and facilitated a meeting with Do Space staff to help them write a mission and vision statement to inform their work.

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Facilitators worked with ONE Omaha, a neighborhood association support organization, to help them think about the impacts they can make and how to make their neighborhoods better places.

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Facilitators met with University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska AIDS Project staff to talk about collaboration between HIV/AIDS service providers. This meeting brought service providers together to determine common goals for a consumer group.

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2015: Year in Review

Revenue City of Omaha (General Fund & Keno) $10,960,561 Douglas County $2,548,980 Fines and fees collected $450,000 Omaha Public Library Foundation $380,457 Friends of Omaha Public Library $142,039 State of Nebraska $89,072 Grants and other income $74,662 Total $14,645,771

Items Borrowed | 3,015,319

Expenditures

Library Visits | 2,207,657

Personnel $9,899,800 Books and materials $1,979,981 Facilities maintenance and security $1,000,419 Technology $620,866 Other operating expenses $221,340 Outreach and programming $201,355 Summer Reading Program $80,000 IMLS Grant $1,390

Website Visits | 2,029,467

Total Expenditures

$13,130,370

Computer Sessions | 667,730 Digital Downloads | 347,659 Current Library Members | 293,970

24,219 kids, teens & adults read during the Summer Reading Program

70,761 adults attend a community, civic or business meeting in one of our meeting rooms

113,507 individuals attend an OPL program, outreach or community engagement event

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Friends 2015 Board Karen Hosier

Friends of Omaha Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to raising money for the library, providing volunteers, and promoting the library to the greater community.

Volunteer members raise funds with book sales at W. Clarke Swanson Branch on the first Saturday of each month and every Thursday. They also raise funds through Internet book sales, memberships, and donations to benefit OPL, its patrons, and the larger Omaha community. In 2015, the Friends provided OPL with 8,139 hours of volunteer service and more than $142,000. These funds helped support important programming such as author events, the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest, and Omaha Reads.

Learn more about becoming a Friend at friendsomahalibrary.org.

President

Susan Prazan Secretary

Angie Wells Treasurer

John Zipay Advisor/Immediate Past President

Kay Bashus Joe Goecke Polly Goecke Rose Hill Cathy Homan Gwen Howard Wendy Poston Jeanne Spence Vanessa Timberlake Darlene Whitney

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The mission of the Omaha Public Library Foundation (OPLF) is to raise funds and advocate for OPL.

New Ways to Support OPL In its second year, the OPLF fundraiser A Novel Affaire welcomed New York Times #1 bestselling author Wally Lamb. The author of She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True spoke to a crowd of 150 OPLF supporters at Millard Branch on April 18. Lamb reflected on the progression of his career, the power of writing, and his gratitude for public libraries.

During the summer, the OPL Foundation’s group for young professionals, the 1877 Society, invited Omaha area writers ages 40 and under to submit unpublished personal essays and short stories as part of a new writing contest. Winners were selected from a panel of local writers and authors and were celebrated in a recognition ceremony in September.

In October, the 1877 Society launched a new fundraiser titled Animus: Book vs. Film at Aksarben Cinema. About 65 attendees gathered for a lively film and book comparison surrounding Stephen King’s 1977 bestselling novel The Shining, versus the 1980 film of the same name directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson. The book hailed the victory in the event’s inaugural year.

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2015 Board Dan Kinsella President

Rochelle Mullen

Vice President

James Kineen

Treasurer

Mary Anne Ramge

Secretary / Assistant Treasurer

Stephen Bruckner

Advisor

Arun Agarwal Bob Berger Julie Cobb Carol Ebdon Kathy Katt Tina Lonergan

Ex Officio Members Mike Meyer Gary Wasdin

Foundation Staff Wendy Townley

Development Director

Sandra Lyden

Development Associate

Revenue

$615,817 Expenditures Direct library contributions Development Administration & office expenses Total Expenditures

$1,107,292 $187,147 $57,329 $1,351,768

Some of the programs & services supported by OPLF • Baby Reads • Technology • Books & materials • Washington Branch summer lock-ins • Summer Reading Program • Designated branch support • After-school programs • Teen literacy programs

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Financial Gifts Memorial & honorarium donors recognized in our quarterly Connect newsletter throughout the year.

Thank you to all of our donors! Your support of the Omaha Public Library Foundation makes a difference.

$100,000 & above Gilbert M. & Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation Peter Kiewit Foundation $50,000 & above Lozier Foundation Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation The Sherwood Foundation $25,000 & above William & Ruth Scott Family Foundation $15,000 & above Cox Communications Omaha Community Foundation Sokolof Foundation in memory of Richard Rosinsky Weitz Family Foundation (Wallace & Barbara Weitz)

$10,000 & above Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Foundation Maggie & Michael McMeekin McGowan Family Foundation The Adah & Leon Millard Foundation Amy L. Scott Family Foundation $5,000 & above Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Foundation Bluestem Prairie Foundation Leola Heuck Trust Holland Foundation Humanities Nebraska Jim Kineen Mike & Dana Meyer The Todd & Betiana Simon Foundation Tenaska, Inc. $2,000 & above Anonymous

Aflac Barbara Bock-Mavis John & Terri Diesing Sandy & Kate Dodge Carol Ebdon First National Bank Fund for Omaha through the Omaha Community Foundation Devin Fox, M.D. Joan Gibson & Don Wurster Giger Foundation James & Dawn Hammel Heritage Services Kate & Neil Holstein Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Richard & Helen Kelley Dan & Kari Kinsella Michael & Susan Lebens Dianne & Allan Lozier McCarthy Capital Mike & Nancy McCarthy Harriet Otis RBC Wealth Management Jessie Clark Schirding Estate Streck, Inc. Carol Wang $1,000 & above Mary Joy Anderson Mogens & Cindy Bay Jai Bikcchandani Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather Julie & Scott Cobb Deloitte Fraser Stryker PC LLO Friedland Family Foundation Lance & Julie Fritz James Fogarty & Dr. Nancy Fogarty Carol Gendler John & Jean Hartwell Peggy & John Heck Sandra Jenkins Kathy Katt Jack & Stephanie Koraleski Dan & Tina Lonergan Gary & Lucie Long Mary & Rodrigo Lopez A. George & Sandra Lozier Mutual of Omaha Companies Murray & Sharee Newman Performance Auto Group Lewis & Winifred Pinch Mary Anne & Bruce Ramge Ann Rinne Anne & David Rismiller Silvia Roffman Stephen & Karen Swartz

Union Pacific Giveplus Program United Way of the Midlands Sarah Watson Webster Family Foundation Meredith & Drew Weitz Philip & Nancy Wolf $500 & above Anonymous (2) Trent Allen Jane Alseth Alvine & Associates, Inc Lynn & Thomas Ashby Richard & Carol Britten Stephen & Anne Bruckner Sydney Cate Sandor & Rhonda Chomos Maurice & Cora Conner Stewart & Lisa Dale Nancy Darst Kennard & Marcia Davies Joseph Drugmand Eclectic Book Club Emspace Group Mike & Wanda Gottschalk John & Janis Haggstrom Harold & Clara Hoover Edward Hotz & Trish Nipp Milton & Marsha Kleinberg Dave & Vicki Krecek Kutak Rock Peggy Mason Michael & Deborah McLarney Mid Month Book Club Jim & Bobbie Montequin Heidi Moser Mike & Sigrid Moylan Rochelle & Jim Mullen Peggy Payne Sandy Price John & Kathleen Ransom Greg & Sue Rusie John & Ruth Sage Paul & Annette Smith

Christine & Tony Swerczek Red & Jann Thomas Stanley & Dorothy Truhlsen UPS Foundation Bruce & Susan Vosburg Jim & Maureen Waldron Mary Wampler WebEquity Solutions Linda & Michael Wendel Eileen M. Wirth $250 & above Anonymous Doug & Cathy Aden AmazonSmile Foundation Aon Berger & O’Toole, CPAs (Bob & Shary Berger) Michael & Michelle Berlin Verda Bialac George & Kathleen Bigelow Matt & Sara Boyd Marjorie & Larry Brennan Dick & Carole Burrows Patty Carlson Leilani & Ron Coe Mark & Teri D’Agostino Bethany DeCarolis Ms. Mary Beth Flanagan Thomas & Nancy Gallagher Thomas Gehl Lynn & Cindy Gray Deryl & Ramona Hamann Terry & Linda Haubold Andy Holland Bill Honke & Molly Maguire Ann Hosford Kyle & Lisa Hutchings ICON Foundation Howard & Gloria Kaslow Emily Kemp

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Warren & Connie Kneer Sarah Ann Kotchian Linda Lavely Russell & Mary Ann Manners Roland & Jean Mariucci Catherine Maydew Stephanie McClellan John & Merrilee Miller Megan Monk Sue Morris Phyllis & Bob Newman Ilka Oberst Bo & Beth Ochsner Rotary -North Rotary-Suburban Rick & Carol Russell Toby & Molly Schropp Shirley Siebler Jeff & Melissa Simons Mike & Marilyn Sitorius Jane Slezak Gloria Sorensen Sandra Squires Pete & Mary Lou Stehr Ann & Kenneth Stinson Bill & Joan Truhlsen Elizabeth Whited Mark & Kelly Wolterman $100 & above Anonymous (6) Aksarben Cinema Judy Albert American Association of University Women Jo Anne Amoura Clyde & Mary Anna Anderson Martha Antonson Terry & Kris Atkins Lee Bachand Holly Barrett Mary Baumstark Marcia Bechtel Robert & Mary Bestenlehner Therese Bigelow Ken & Annie Bird Lynn & Dave Blagg Blair Bonczynski Rachel Bonnema Jane & Stan Bonnesen Gary & Elizabeth Bowen Dorothy & David Bowman Bunge North America Foundation Kathleen Bradley Dr. & Mrs. Alfred Brody Emily Brush Ann Burdette

Kelly Burns Loree & Cecil Bykerk Robert Campbell Jeanette Capps James & Anne Carroll Stephanie Cavalier Susan & Bob Chenoweth Mallery Choiniere Joyce Christensen Robert & Jill Cochran Tonya Conley Shirley Crites Alistair Cullum Harl & Kay Dalstrom Drew & Elisa Davies Marty Davis Tony & Claudia Deeb De Freese Manor Residents Council Patsy Devereaux Robyn Devore Elisa DiCarlo Dundee Garden Club Jody & Roger duRand Bren Duvall Krista Eckhoff Lisa Erickson Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Megan Flory Rev. James E. Gilg John & Kay Lynn Goldner Grain & Mortar Nancy Grant Cheryl Griffin & Chuck Lenosky Patricia Gromak Mike & Kathy Gross Bob & Rosemary Gross Peggy Grosskopf Vic Gutman David & Joan Haas Corey Hamilton Roger & Jackie Harned Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Hartman Mary Haven Mrs. Flo Helmick A. Bryce Hoflund David & Robyn Hubbard Laurie L. Humphries, M.D. Theresa Jehlik Marlene Jennum Larissa & Richard Johnson Ethan & Kate Jones Katie & Justin Kemerling Joshua & Maureen Kitchen Ramona Kluth Susan Koenig Linda Wedberg-Kraft & Robert Kraft Marie & Jack Kubat

Jane Kugler & Doug Vonderfecht Patricia & Richard Kutilek Joseph & Molly Lang Leidos Eva Lester Tom Liefer Patricia Lontor Cathy Ludwig Marty Magee Kristine Mahler Dr. Ed & Sally Malashock James & Patricia Manion Marilyn Marsh Kathleen Massara Edward & Carrie May Maureen McCarville Fred & Nancy McCormick Sally Mae McFarland Jessica McKay Guadalupe & Karen Mier Mini Quilters Carrie Mohr Eddie Morin Geraldine Morrissey Natalie Murray John & Anne Nelson Diana Nevins William & Mary Ochsner Gwendolyn Olney Omaha Women’s Chamber of Commerce Megan Parrott Paula Partsch Carl & Mary Peters Susan Petersen Chuck & Char Peterson Wendell & Roxanna Peterson Picotte Elementary School Staff Glenda Pierce Rebecca Pixley Norma & Cliff Pountney Denise & Hobson Powell Laura & Bill Powers Gary Randall & William Miller Liz Rea Gail & Curt Reiter Don Rigler Stephen Robinson Todd Robinson Romance Authors of the Heartland Debra Romberger James & Nancy Rosenthal Elizabeth Rotterdam Max & Karen Rudolph Robert & Sheila Runyon

Michael Rush & Sherry Woodward-Rush Melanie Schultz Seymour Family Margaret Shearer Margaret Sibbernsen Martin & Bonnie Simon The Singer Family Drs. Sitarik, Turner, Hoover & Barboza Sarah Sjolie Mark Sorensen Peggy Sorensen Becky & Dan Spencer Grace Spomer Susan Stalnaker Rebecca Stavick Jim & Marsha Stewart Martha Stofko Steve & Debra Styers Drs. Jon & Ann Taylor Vance Taylor Steven Taylor Telugu Samiti of Nebraska Mark Thalken & Katie Wadas-Thalken Austin & Dorothy Thompson Wallace Thoreson Kenneth M. Tierney Ben Tompkins Anne & Charles Trimble Barbara Tripp Carl & Katherine Troia Tuesday Noon Library AFG Nichole & Kevin Turgeon Union Pacific Fund for Effective Government UNO Library Science Program Whitney Van Arsdall Jan & Sue Van Doren Lily Wang Robert & Louise Way Jonathan Wegner John West Theodore Wheeler Jack White & Mary Hamilton Molly Wickert Lynn Williams Philip Willson Paige Winkler Michael Barwig & Jim Wolf Joey Wolfe Woodward Family

Omaha Public Library is governed by a nine-member board of trustees appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council to serve a three-year term. Monthly meetings are open to the public.

2015 Board of Trustees Caitlin Davis Anna Hernandez-Valencia Kyle Hutchings Lenora Isom Mike Kennedy Mike Meyer Adrian Suarez-Delgado Beverly Thompson Carol Wang

Administration Laura Marlane – Executive Director Maggie Tarelli-Falcon – Assistant Director Mary Griffin – Senior Facilities Manager Norma Pountney – Senior Branch Services Manager Deb Barelos – Borrower Services Manager Jody duRand – Community Engagement Manager Emily Getzschman – Marketing Manager Jason Goossen – Technology Manager Julie Humphrey – Youth Services Manager Theresa Jehlik – Strategy & Business Intelligence Manager Amy Mather – Adult Services Manager Judy Shannon – Collection Development Manager Linda Trout – Community Outreach Manager

Branch Managers Rachel Steiner – W. Dale Clark Main Library Marvel Maring – Milton R. Abrahams Branch Julie Humphrey – Benson Branch Sarah VanRaden – Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Deirdre Routt – Florence Branch Lois Imig – Millard Branch Lori Brezina – Saddlebrook Branch Matt Couch – A.V. Sorensen Branch Jennifer Jazynka – South Omaha Library Casey Kralik – W. Clarke Swanson Branch Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh – Charles B. Washington Branch Evonne Edgington – Willa Cather Branch