Omaha reads. And listens. A lot.
McKenna Hilton, a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, looks for a book at the Omaha Central Library Thursday. Laura Marlane, the library's executive director, said Omaha is an outlier nationally in that it continues to have high demand for printed books.Â
People are also reading…
Patrons walk through the bookshelves at the Omaha Central Library. Some users will put holds on every format of a new book and take whichever comes first, Marlane said.Â
A look at the bookshelves at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.
Photos: New Omaha Central Library opens to the public
Omaha Mayor John Ewing, center, cuts a ceremonial ribbon during a ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing and his wife Viv Ewing read "A Place for Scamper" at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Macy Cunard 15, looks for a book at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Nolan Vogel of Omaha looks through the bookshelves at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons walk into the Omaha Central Library as doors open to the new library on 72nd and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Jewel Rodgers, Nebraska's state poet, recites a poem during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons walk through the bookshelves at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons walk through the bookshelves at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons walk through the bookshelves at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Laura Marlane, executive director of the Omaha Public Library, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
King Maxwell recites a poem during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons react as Jewel Rodgers, Nebraska's state poet, recites a poem during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons watch on during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons crowd into the first floor of the new Omaha Central Library for a ribbon cutting ceremony in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons queue to check out books and talk with library workers at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons study on the third floor at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
A family checks out their books after visiting the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons walk around at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Viv Ewing and her husband Omaha Mayor John Ewing read "A Place for Scamper" at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Families sit and listen to Omaha Mayor John Ewing and his wife Viv Ewing read "A Place for Scamper" at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons walk up the staircase at the Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Patrons peruse the bookshelves at the new Omaha Central Library in Omaha on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
