New central library in downtown Lincoln expected to bring in more visitors and programming opportunities

A six-minute walk from the Bennett Martin Public Library in downtown Lincoln leads to the Southeast Community College Education Square building — the future home to the new central library.

The City of Lincoln announced the $46 million project in 2025 in response to concerns about the current location’s ability to meet the needs of space, accessibility and function, according to the project’s website.

“We just want to make sure we're providing the best resources for our community,” Library Director Ryan Wieber said, “And in this facility, it's hard to do that and to adapt to what's expected in today's modern library. So the new building will give us that opportunity and more.”

Renovating the existing building would cost an estimated $57 million — $11 million more than moving completely and renovating the SCC building.

The relocation and repurposing of the SCC building will be funded through $23 million in municipal infrastructure bonds, $5.2 million from interfund loans and $18 million in private contributions, according to the City of Lincoln.

The new library will feature a new teaching kitchen, makerspace, rooftop auditorium, teen area and more engaging children’s section. The library will also have an on-site cafe through Mill Coffee & Tea.

Wieber said Bennett Martin sees around 130,000 yearly visitors — a number that he expects to go up once the central library is completed. Renovations are expected to begin in the fall.

“We see more people come from different parts of the city, and that will only increase when we move into the new space and have bigger and better opportunities with some of the amenities that will be in the new library," he said.

Currently, Bennett Martin is home to the city’s largest library collection. That includes the Polley Music Library, the Local History Center and the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors.

“The new central library will be truly a modern public library, in the sense that we're designing spaces that will be flexible in nature,” Wieber said. “So not only will we be able to showcase the special collections, which have been, you know, part of the life system for a long time, but we're adding spaces that can be used for multiple purposes.”

Lincoln’s Urban Design Committee recently approved the library’s facade treatment, interaction with the existing parking garage to the south, the plaza addition, overall design approach and landscape design and interaction with Project O Street.

“This is going to be an incredibly active and exciting place that's centered on books and literacy, but also it'll be a true community center where residents can connect with each other and where learning opportunities abound,” Wieber said.

Besides branch staff working at Bennett Martin, the library’s systemwide staff works out of the downtown library. Alongside Bennett Martin and library staff, CenterPointe, a non-profit health organization, will move its resource worker to the new library.

“When we plan together with our partners, what we have offered in this building becomes stronger and reaches more people,” Weiber said.