Category Archives: Announcements and Press Releases

Lincoln City Libraries Announces Library Card Design Contest Winner

Tuesday, 01 August 2023 15:52

0 Comments

Lincoln City Libraries (LCL) today announced Hazel Pinegar as the winner of its Library Card Design Contest. Pinegar is 6 years old and will be a first grade student at Elliott Elementary School, where her mom, Amy, also teaches. Cards featuring the new design are expected to be available in September, during Library Card Sign-up Month.

Pinegar’s design, entitled “Reading is for Everyone!” features a self-portrait with her signature braids, and a full-color rainbow on a blue sky background. Pinegar said that her “reading is for everyone” message extends to her friends who speak different languages. Pinegar added she hopes to learn Spanish like some of her friends, and she is glad the library has books in Spanish.

Lincoln and Lancaster County artists up to age 11 were invited in May to submit artwork to appear on the LCL library card. More than 200 artists submitted designs. A panel of judges selected the top three finalists, and the winning design was selected by community members via an online vote. This was the first time LCL invited readers to submit art to appear on official library cards.

“The enthusiasm shown by kids in the card design contest is a beautiful example of how children and families recognize the joy found in a library card. We’re happy for Hazel, and thrilled that thousands of others will be able to enjoy her creativity every time they check out a book,” said Ryan Wieber, Lincoln City Libraries Director.

Lincoln City Libraries thanks all the artists who participated in the contest, as well as the community members who voted on the designs. Card design contests for older readers are also being considered, and the current card design will remain available.

“Besides providing a platform for local artists to shine, the contest also fostered a sense of unity and enthusiasm within the community,” said Traci Glass, LCL Assistant Director. “The submissions, featuring a diverse range of styles and concepts, demonstrated the power of art in connecting people and inspiring imaginations.”

Lincoln City Libraries Page to Stage Program Begins August 4

Tuesday, 25 July 2023 08:27

0 Comments

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird encourages residents to participate in a free program that combines reading and performing arts into a unique cultural experience. The Page to Stage program begins August 4 and is a collaboration between Lincoln City Libraries (LCL) and the Lied Center for the Performing Arts.

The program will take place at the Bennett Martin Library, 136 S. 14th St., and will feature special events coordinated with six performances appearing at the Lied Center. Activities will include visits from Lied Center artists and special story time guests, curated reading lists, special ticket giveaways and more.

“This innovative partnership – unique to our city – recognizes the power of literature and performance to enrich our community’s high quality of life,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “Do not ‘throw away your shot’ to experience this one-of-a-kind program at our very own Bennett Martin Public Library.”

Specific dates and activities for the 2024 performance season will be determined closer to the performance dates. The event schedule is as follows:

• August 4, noon – Hamilton: Question and answer session with artists
• January 2024 – Les Misérables
• February 2024 – Rainbow Fish
• March 2024 – Show Way The Musical
• March 2024 – Momix: Alice
• June 2024 – To Kill a Mockingbird

“The Page to Stage partnership between the Lied Center for Performing Arts and Lincoln City Libraries will provide new opportunities for the Lincoln community to experience exceptional literature, world-class performances, and access to the arts,” said Matthew Boring, Lied Center for Performing Arts Deputy Director.

Traci Glass, Lincoln City Libraries Assistant Director, said that collaborations with LCL’s neighbors, like the Lied Center, allow the libraries to weave together the threads of literature, knowledge, and creativity.

“This partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing diverse experiences, promoting lifelong learning, and bringing together people from all walks of life. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community, where the arts and literature flourish hand in hand,” Glass said.

For more information about the Lied Center for Performing Arts, visit liedcenter.org.

Lincoln City Libraries Announces Most Popular Titles of 2022

Monday, 23 January 2023 15:27

0 Comments

Lincoln City Libraries today announced its most popular titles of 2022. Last year, residents borrowed more than 2.8 million items from the eight LCL locations and Lied Bookmobile.

“Our city libraries continue to be hubs of activity where patrons have access to a great collection with the latest in popular titles and new discoveries,” said Ryan Wieber, Director of Lincoln City Libraries.

Lincoln City Libraries saw a 4.3% increase in the circulation of print materials in 2022. Residents visited library web pages over 1 million times and borrowed nearly 700,000 items electronically. Visitations increased by 16% as the libraries resumed in-person programming in March 2022.

The most popular titles in all formats are as follows:

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles — 1,243 checkouts
Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi — 805 checkouts
Sparring Partners by John Grisham — 610 checkouts
The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci — 522 checkouts
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens — 504 checkouts
Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton — 484 checkouts
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand — 473 checkouts
Dream Town by David Baldacci — 471 checkouts
Shattered by James Patterson — 463 checkouts
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney — 456 checkouts

“We find that people love end-of-year lists, and the libraries’ top 10 most read lists is a great way to share what the Lincoln community has been reading this last year,” said Rebecca Aracena, Support Services Coordinator.

In addition to books, e-books and audiobooks, LCL also loans ukuleles, guitars, video games and movies, and provides free access to dozens of databases.

To view top 10 checkout lists in other categories, visit lincolnlibraries.org/most-popular-titles-of-2022 . For more information about Lincoln City Libraries and its services, visit lincolnlibraries.org.

Mayor Names Ryan Wieber the Next Director of Lincoln City Libraries

Friday, 21 October 2022 15:15

0 Comments

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today announced that she has chosen Ryan Wieber, the current Director of Kalamazoo Public Libraries, as the new Director of Lincoln City Libraries. He will replace Pat Leach, who retired at the end of August after 40 years of service to the City of Lincoln, including 14 as the last permanent Director of the Library Department. Wieber will begin his new job on December 8.

“Ryan emerged as the unanimous top candidate during our search for the next Director. His enthusiasm for learning, experience as a library leader for over two decades and strong desire to lead Lincoln City Libraries into the future were notable strengths,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “As we look to strengthen and expand the library system in Lincoln, I know Ryan has the skills and capabilities to create the consensus needed to achieve our dreams for public libraries in the Capital City.”   

Wieber has served as the Director of the Kalamazoo Public Libraries in Kalamazoo, Michigan, since 2017, leading a public library system with an annual operating budget of $13.5 million, 180 staff and five locations. Prior to that he served as the Director of the Van Buren District Library in Decatur, Michigan from 2013 to 2017 and the Otsego District Library in Otsego, Michigan from 1999 until 2012. He is the current President of the Michigan Library Association. Wieber holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public History from Western Michigan University and a Master of Library Information Science from Wayne State University.

“I am excited to arrive in Lincoln and begin leading a superb library system with strong ties to its communities,” Wieber said. “It is especially evident the City recognizes the value of its libraries, and I am thrilled to begin meeting our staff, stakeholders, and residents, and continuing excellence in public library service.”

Dan Sloan, President of the Lincoln City Library Board of Trustees said, “Ryan has the skills, experience and drive needed to grow, strengthen and innovate our already very strong library system. He is a dynamic leader with a proven record of strong management, collaboration, and innovation. We are thrilled to have someone of his caliber lead the library into what promises to be a very exciting future.”

Mayor Gaylor Baird expressed her sincere appreciation to Jocelyn Golden for serving as the interim director of Lincoln City Libraries during the search process. Golden will return to her duties as an Assistant City Attorney when Wieber assumes his role.

The Search Committee for the position included four appointments by the Mayor and four appointments by the Lincoln City Library Board of Trustees, as provided in the Lincoln Municipal Code.

Lincoln City Libraries (LCL) supports lifelong education for the Lincoln community through its support for learning, literature, and literacy. Within LCL’s eight locations, residents can check out books, DVDs, and CDs, attend special events such as preschool learning times or book groups, use library gathering spaces for study or meetings, and connect to the Internet via the library’s personal computers or the library’s wireless internet.

2022 One Book–One Lincoln Title Announced

Monday, 05 September 2022 07:59

0 Comments

Lincoln City Libraries (LCL) today announced The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles as the book selected for the 2022 One Book–One Lincoln Community Reading Program. The book is available from LCL in print and large type as well as downloadable audio and eBook formats.

The Lincoln Highway is a coming of age story that details the 10 days following Emmett’s release from a work farm in 1954. He returns to Nebraska to find his mother gone and father dead. His new plan is take his younger brother Billy to California. However, a few stowaways change their plans and the new path leads them on a road trip to New York.

The runners-up for the 2022 program were Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi and Hell of A Book by Jason Mott. The book selection process began in February when a 17-member selection team of community readers narrowed the list of nominees to 72 titles. These titles were closely reviewed by committee members to select the three finalists that were presented to the community.

Programs are being planned for September and October. LCL has sponsored the annual program since 2002 to encourage reading and dialogue by creating a community-wide reading and discussion experience.