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Category Archives: Announcements and Press Releases

Bennett Martin Public Library Adds Weekday Evening Hours

Monday, 29 October 2018 16:05
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Bennett Martin Public LibraryBeginning Thursday, November 1, the closing time at the Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 S. 14th Street will be extended from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Funding for the additional eight hours per week was provided as part of the City’s 2018-2020 biennial budget.

Library hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

“We felt it very important to provide access to the library similar to that of other neighborhoods in Lincoln, especially with the increasing number of people who live downtown,“ said Pat Leach, Library Director. She said events are being planned during the new hours, such as Family Storytime on Tuesday nights, which include stories, pizza and crafts.

In addition to serving as the Lincoln City Libraries headquarters, Bennett Martin Public Library serves more than 55,000 residents who live within its two-mile service radius. The library has more than 216,000 books, CDs and DVDs available for borrowing. Other services include 35 Internet computers available for reservation, Wi-Fi, a teen area with large screen TV and games, and public meeting rooms for up to 100 people. Special collections include the Polley Music Library and the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors.

Lincoln City Libraries Announces 2017 One Book–One Lincoln Title

Tuesday, 05 September 2017 11:55
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One Book - One LincolnLincoln City Libraries (LCL) today announced A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles has been selected for the 2017 One Book–One Lincoln Community Reading. The novel is available from LCL in print, large type, compact disc, downloadable audio and eBook formats.

The novel tells the story of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, a Russian aristocrat sentenced to house arrest in Moscow’s luxurious Metropol hotel for his association with a poem with revolutionary overtones.

Born and raised in the Boston area, Towles graduated from Yale College and received a master’s in English from Stanford University. A Gentleman in Moscow is his second novel. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for over 20 weeks and was named one of the best books of 2016 by the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the San Francisco Chronicle and National Public Radio.

The runners up were Moonglow by Michael Chabon and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. The book selection process began in February when an 18-member team of community readers narrowed a list of 96 nominated titles down to three finalists. To enhance readers’ enjoyment of the One Book–One Lincoln finalists, as well as the winning title, LCL will host several events this fall:

  • Sunday, September 10, 2 p.m., Gere Branch Library, 2400 S 56th St.
    “The Holocaust’s Legacy” – Dr. Steve Wees discusses his experience growing up as the son of a Holocaust survivor.
  • Sunday, September 17, 3 p.m., Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 S 14th St.
    “Harlem Renaissance” – Lincoln vocalist Annette Murrell (Dr. Diva) interprets jazz legends Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.
  • Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m., Walt Branch Library, 6701 S 14th St.
    “Fine Dining Á La Metropol” – Dr. Ajai Ammachathram discusses fine dining, the art of pairing wine and food and the role of a maître d’ in ensuring superb service.
  • Sunday, November 5, 2 p.m., Gere Branch Library
    “Life Outside the Metropol: The Soviet Union in the Early 20th Century” – Russian scholar Dr. Marcelline Hutton explains the political, economic and cultural forces impacting Russian life in the Lenin and Stalin eras.

LCL has sponsored the annual program since 2002 to encourage reading and dialogue by creating a community-wide reading and discussion experience. More information about One Book–One Lincoln, including previous winners, is available here.

Summer Reading Prize Winners Announced

Wednesday, 16 August 2017 14:10
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Build a Better WorldHere are the winners of the final prize drawings in the 2017 Summer Reading Programs!

Youth – Lincoln Community Playhouse Winners

Anderson Branch – Malcolm S.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Danny D.
Bethany Branch – Tyler F.
Lied Bookmobile – Matthew K.
Eiseley Branch – Noah H.
Gere Branch – Savannah R.
South Branch – Teagon D.
Walt Branch – Gabe D.
Williams Branch – Eliot C.

Teen – Lincoln Community Playhouse Winners

Anderson Branch – Scarlett U.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Brianna C.
Bethany Branch – Gabriel G.
Lied Bookmobile – Logan S.
Eiseley Branch – Cecilia D.
Gere Branch – Serena V.
South Branch – Abigail H.
Walt Branch – Kaleb
Williams Branch – Brielle A.

Lincoln Grand Cinema 4 pack of movie tickets

Zahra A.
Henry F.

Teen – Davinici’s/Champions Gift Certificate

Grace V.
Christiona K.

Youth – iPad Mini

Brett S.
Cleo

Teen – iPad Mini

Nicole S.
(Name withheld by request)

Adult – iPad Air

Sheri Z.
Bradley L.

The drawings for the NEST College Savings Account are done by the Nebraska Educational Savings Plan Trust, not by the library. Winners are usually announced in September. Winners will be contacted directly.

Library Director Clarifies Information in LIBA Release

Wednesday, 18 May 2016 08:47
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Library Director Pat Leach said the May 17, 2016 news release from the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) regarding the future of Bennett Martin Public Library confuses the issue.

“We appreciate LIBA weighing in on the future of our main downtown library,” Leach said. “It is important to have a thorough debate on what we as a community want for Lincoln’s libraries. But it is essential that everyone has the same understanding of the issue.”

The central library project has been in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) since 2006-2007, when it was listed as a $47.4 million bond project. In the ten years since then, the total estimate cost has been listed between $40 million and $50 million. “Because it costs money to hire a professional consultant to give an estimate, we went with rough numbers in earlier CIPs to plan for the future,” Leach said. “Over time, the estimated cost has changed as we have received updated information.”

Leach said the overall estimated cost of a new main library has NOT doubled as LIBA suggests in its release. LIBA cites a $21 million figure in the 2014-15 CIP and a $42 million figure in the proposed 2017-18 CIP. “What has changed is the analysis of a realistic fundraising goal,” said Leach. “When we discussed the 2014-16 CIP, City leaders hoped to raise more private donations to fund the project. The CIP showed $21 million in private donations and $21 million in general obligation bonds. After more analysis, we determined that $8 million in fundraising was a more appropriate number.”

Leach said the central library project costs are not new information. “Library Board members briefed LIBA Executive Director Coby Mach and over 100 LIBA members on the current cost estimate and the proposed funding at the July 2015 LIBA luncheon,” she said. “Our figures have been part of the public conversation for quite some time.”

The future of the Pershing site has not yet been decided. Although the latest cost estimates are “site-specific” to the Pershing block, no final decisions have been made. The City continues to have an open Invitation for Redevelopment Proposals for the Pershing site, but no financially viable proposals have yet been submitted.

“Ultimately, voters will have the final say on what they are willing to pay for a new library and where it will be located,” Leach said. “We can’t forget why this is a topic of discussion. Bennett Martin was built over 50 years ago, is in need of extensive repair, is no longer efficient to operate and no longer meets the needs of the community. That’s why the Library Board requested a public vote be held on a new downtown library in the next two years. This shows our commitment to continued excellence in library services.”

The six-year CIP is the part of the City budget that funds infrastructure like streets, water lines and buildings. The first two years are approved by the City Council as part of the City biennial budget process. Years three through six are used for planning long-range improvements.

Both the City-County Planning Commission and the City Council will have public hearings on the proposed 2016-2022 CIP as part of the budget process. More information about the CIP is available at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: cip).

Libraries’ Baby Storytime on “Mom’s Everyday”

Saturday, 06 February 2016 07:36
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This segment of “Moms Everyday” aired on KOLN/KGIN on February 6: