Omaha Central Public Library

Omaha Central Public Library
Omaha Central Public Library under construction, March 2025
41°15′33″N96°01′29″W / 41.259193°N 96.024637°W / 41.259193; -96.024637
Location	Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Type	Public library
Estimated completion	2026
Branch of	Omaha Public Library
Other information
Website	omahacentrallibrary.com

Omaha Central Public Library is the under-construction main branch of Omaha Public Library system. The library was announced in 2022 and began construction in 2023. It was built on the former site of the original Do Space library, Do Space will also be a major occupant of the building. Omaha Central Public Library is expected to be completed in 2026. The library will serve as a replacement for the former W. Dale Clark Library and will be the largest in the system.

History

Background

Established in 1977, the W. Dale Clark Library was the central branch of the Omaha Public Library system. ^[1] The library underwent one major renovation in 2000, and by the 2010s was considered to be largely outdated. ^[2] In 2016, the city began negotiations on closing the library and rebuilding somewhere else. ^[3] It wasn't until 2022 that the library closed, and was replaced with a downtown branch in the Old Market, which opened in 2023. ^[4] In 2022, a full replacement was announced, known as the Omaha Central Public Library. ^[5]

Construction

Omaha Central Public Library was built on the former site of the Do Space library. To make way for construction, Do Space's original building was demolished, and Do Space itself relocated to the Abrahams Library. ^[6] The library began construction in 2023. The crane was removed in February 2025. ^[7] The library is expected to be completed by 2026. ^[8]

Design

Upon Omaha Central Public Library's opening, it will become the largest library in the Omaha Public Library system and will serve as a replacement for the W. Dale Clark Library. ^[9] The library was designed by HDR, Inc. and Alley Poyner Marchietto, and is being built by Kiewit Corporation. ^[10] The library will be three stories tall and will have a glass facade. ^[11] Do Space will be located on the second floor of the library. ^[12]

References

1. "Ceremony Honors W. Dale Clark". Omaha World-Herald. March 21, 1977. p. 2. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
2. "New Time, Location". Omaha World-Herald. September 29, 2000. p. 45. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
3. "Chapter may end for downtown library". Omaha World-Herald. May 28, 2016. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
4. Perez, Jessica (March 8, 2023). "Officials give an inside look at Omaha Public Library's new downtown branch". KETV. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
5. Hamer, Roger (May 20, 2022). "Plans for new Omaha library locations continue moving forward". WOWT. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
6. "Do Space to move into Milton R Abrahams Branch of OPL while construction gets underway on new Central Library". KMTV 3 News Now Omaha. May 25, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
7. Anderson, Jake (February 11, 2025). "Crews working to remove tower crane at Omaha's new central library site". KETV. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
8. McIlree, Hannah (January 15, 2025). "Central Library construction progress: A sneak peek inside". KMTV 3 News Now Omaha. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
9. Byars, Macy; intern, Nebraska Public Media News. "Construction on new library is underway in Omaha". Nebraska Public Media (in Spanish). Retrieved August 30, 2025.
10. by, Written (September 11, 2024). "Omaha Public Library's Central Branch". Omaha Exploration. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
11. "Omaha Central Public Library | HDR". www.hdrinc.com. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
12. "New Omaha Central Public Library to open at current Do Space site". WOWT. May 24, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2025.