by Madison Wheeler, reporter
After closing in March, the Omaha Public Library system has begun reopening its branches, and so far eight of 12 buildings are now open to the public.
Curbside book pickup and online programming will continue, while some buildings including the Millard and Abrahams branches, will offer extended Sunday hours.
“We aren’t going to be doing any in-person programming for the rest of the year, just to maintain that safety,” said Emily Getzschman, marketing manager for Omaha Public Library.
Story times and author visits are among the programs that will still be online. Curbside pickup has been a popular service, with some branches seeing dozens of appointments in a single day.
Inside, the library has made some changes to ensure safety, such as putting up plexiglass barriers and removing or spacing apart furniture. Computer stations are now set farther apart, with limits on how long patrons can use them.
After books have been returned or picked up by patrons, they sit in quarantine rooms for six days, which increases the time an item is unavailable.
Branch manager Marvel Maring said that there haven’t been any complaints about these precautions so far.
“I think they’re, in general, pleased that we’re taking the safety measures that we are,” she said.
The branches that remain closed include the W. Dale Clark Main Library, and Omaha Public Library hopes to open them by the end of October.
