Construction on Omaha’s state-of-the-art Central Library is a year away from completion.
Replacing the W. Dale Clark Main Library built in 1977, the new downtown branch on 72nd and Dodge streets will bring a modernized library experience to Omaha.
Inspired by innovative libraries from Oslo to Seattle, the $158 million facility has a modular design, open-concept floors, high ceilings and outdoor greenspaces. The Central Library will include an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which employs robotic arms to deliver materials to library patrons.
The previous occupant of the building, DoSpace, will be integrated into the Omaha Public Library system. Using these resources, OPL will open a new technology library, makerspaces and creative labs on the second floor of the building. There, patrons will be able to check out equipment like cameras and utilize on-site spaces such as podcasting studios.
Wendy Townley, Executive Director of the Omaha Public Library Foundation, said Omaha residents helped spark ideas for the Central Library.
“These were not decisions about this library that were made in a vacuum,” Townley said. “We did extensive outreach and conversations with a wide swath of library patrons and just people in the community to get a better sense of what they wanted and needed.”
Townley said the construction process has gone smoothly, and she expects the library to open publicly in the first couple months of 2026.
“Although it's been cold, the fact that we haven't had super severe weather the past couple winters, outside of those tough those couple cold snaps has really allowed the construction to stay on schedule.” Townley said. “And as of now, library staff will be making plans to move in the latter part of this year, and then we will officially open to the public early in 2026.”
The Omaha Public Library Foundation partnered with the City of Omaha, Heritage Omaha, DoSpace and Omaha Public Libraries to bring the Central Library to fruition. After nearly 10 years of planning, which Townley witnessed firsthand, she is grateful for the community support.
“We received gifts as small as $5, $10 and $20, and we will happily take those, because those are individuals that believe in what the library offers, and they want to show their support, and we're thrilled at that,” Townley said. “I think that just speaks to the love and the loyalty that our community has for Omaha Public Libraries.”
Townley said she believes in the power of physical public libraries for communities of all sizes.
“The bigger, the better, I always say, but you want to have free literacy and free technology available to everybody in your community,” Townley said.