[billiefan2000]

If Omaha Public Library officials have their way, some major changes are coming to the city's library system.



Among the ideas proposed in a library planning report:

Omaha's flagship library would leave its downtown location and move closer to the middle of the city, into a new building at or near Crossroads Mall at 72nd and Dodge Streets.

The Swanson Library at 90th Street and West Dodge Road would be closed, replaced by the new Crossroads-area main library.

The current downtown site could be sold to a developer for a high-rise building.

A smaller branch would be built elsewhere in downtown Omaha, probably near Joslyn Art Museum.

Ÿ Two new suburban libraries would be added: one near the Village Pointe shopping center near 168th Street and West Dodge Road, the other near 180th and Q Streets.

more... Omaha libraries at a crossroads - Omaha.com




side note: if the main library moves to 72nd and dodge, likely it would be put in the old Dillards building.

[jessep28]

There's some anchor space down on Saddle Creek that needs a tenant. I'm surprised they aren't considering that location .

[billiefan2000]

Originally Posted by jessep28

There's some anchor space down on Saddle Creek that needs a tenant. I'm surprised they aren't considering that location .

they might move the one at 48th and cass at the community center in dundee to the old target building

if they had one there in that area.


btw, have been to the 90th and dodge library and the one at 48th and cass.

they are the 2 libraries I try to avoid.

snooty staff at 90th and dodge (well, it is a little north of the westside high area)

and 48th and cass is the smallest library in omaha


the one at 90th and fort and the one in benson and the one near 132nd and center are great.

[Jason4225]

I think this would be a good idea, but the cost would have to be enormous. I know this wouldn't happen for years, but this city is likely going to have fiscal problems for a while and I doubt voters would approve of this. Then again private donations saved the libraries from cuts last year. If they could raise much of the money from donors it would be a lot more probable that this could happen. It also just seems right to have the anchor library downtown, however I don't go there often so I am not sure if it is utilized as much the main library should be.

I actually like the 90th and Dodge location. I used to live close to there and they offered a lot of activities that my kids often enjoyed.

I will have to agree with you on the 132nd and Center location. That is the library I regularly visit and I do think the staff is great there.

[harshbarj]

First I have heard of this, and I work at the downtown branch!

[pheaton]

That's a goofy idea. The mall is wayyy more space then they need, the layout isn't library like at all. I'm not sure how well that would work.

[billiefan2000]

Originally Posted by pheaton

That's a goofy idea. The mall is wayyy more space then they need, the layout isn't library like at all. I'm not sure how well that would work.

what about the dillards building?

it could work there

[jessep28]

The only problem I see with closing the downtown location is that the area hobos will lose a warm place to go in the winter and clean restrooms.

[McBain II]

No go. The flagship library absolutely needs to stay in downtown.

[Calvinist]

Originally Posted by Bosco55David

No go. The flagship library absolutely needs to stay in downtown.

Why? A lot of people don't want to go downtown to go there. It's a hassle. It would be nice to have a more centralized location.