Lincoln City Libraries

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Lincoln City Libraries
Lincoln City Libraries logo.svg
Location Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Established1875;150 years ago (1875)
Branches8
Collection
Size729,775 [1]
Access and use
Population served245,012
Other information
Budget$20,689,141
Website lincolnlibraries.org

Lincoln City Libraries is the official public library system in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It has eight branches. The main branch is Bennet Martin Public Library, located in Downtown Lincoln. The library was originally established in 1875 as a private library and became a public library two years later.

Contents

History

Lincoln City Library was originally established as the Lincoln City Library and Reading Room in 1875. The library closed in May of that same year due to financial struggles. [2] The library was re-established on January 28, 1876, and by 1877, included 1,300 books. [3] In 1877, the Nebraska State Legislature passed a bill allowing the municipal governments of any community in the state of Nebraska to form a public library system. That same year, Lincoln City Library was re-established as a public library. [4]

On September 16, 1899, over 16,000 books were lost from a fire that occurred in the Masonic Temple, where the library was located. Only 800 books, which were lent out to patrons, survived. [5] Mary Baird Bryan petitioned Andrew Carnegie to help build a replacement library. Carnegie accepted, and donated $75,000 for the construction of a new library. [6] The new library, a Carnegie library later referred to as Old Main, opened in 1902. [7] In 1901, the library began expanding to other parts of Lincoln, with its first branch location in Belmont. [8]

In 1960 it was announced that Old Main would be replaced by a new main library, known as Bennet Martin Public Library. The library was named after former mayor Martin Bennett, who donated $300,000 to the library's construction. [9] The main branch officially opened in October 1962. [10] In 1988, the library converted from a catalog system to a digital Public Access Computer terminal system. [11]

In January 2019, Lincoln City Libraries stopped charging overdue fees for materials designated for youth or children. [12] In May 2025, it was announced that the Bennet Martin Public Library would be replaced with a new location at the former Southeast Community College Education Square Building. Renovation for the building is planned for fall 2026 and the new central library is planned to open by 2028. [13]

Branches

Lincoln City Libraries includes eight branches. The main library, Martin Bennet Public Library, opened in 1962. Library branches include Anderson Branch Library, Bethany Branch Library, Eiseley Branch Library, Gere Branch Library, South Branch Library, Walt Branch Library, Williams Branch Library. Additionally, the Lied Bookmobile, a mobile library, provides individualized service to Lincoln and Lancaster County. [14]

References

  1. ↑ "Nebraska Public Library Database: Omaha Public Library". Nebraska Library Commision. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. ↑ "A Reading Room and Library". Nebraska State Journal. November 19, 1875. p. 4. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  3. ↑ "The Lincoln Library". The Beatrice Weekly Express. January 18, 1877. p. 3. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  4. ↑ "The Lincoln City Library". The Lincoln Evening News and Daily Call. December 31, 1899. p. 22. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  5. ↑ "BOOKS FOR LIBRARY". Lincoln Journal Star. September 18, 1899. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  6. ↑ "CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR LINCOLN LIBRARY". The Oakland Republican. December 28, 1899. p. 2. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  7. ↑ "CITY TAKES GIFT". Semi-Weekly State Journal. May 30, 1902. p. 5. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  8. ↑ "CITY TAKES GIFT". Lincoln Journal Star. May 30, 1902. p. 5. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  9. ↑ "1960-10-16 New Main Library Construction Will Begin Early in '61". Sunday Journal & Star. October 16, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  10. ↑ "1962-10-17 New Bennett Martin Library in Use". Lincoln Journal Star. October 17, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  11. ↑ "PAC-Man takes over library card catalog". The Lincoln Star. September 27, 1988. p. 19. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Lincoln City Libraries Eliminates Late Fees on Youth Materials". Lincoln City Libraries. January 30, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Lincoln officials propose new central library at SCC's Education Square". 1011Now. May 15, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Locations and Hours". Lincoln City Libraries. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
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