Central Library

Make your mark! At the end of each month, bring a project you're working on, or one you've completed, and share it with fellow community members and staff! Celebrate the creativity of our community, spark new ideas, and check out what others are making. This month we are focusing on items made on 3D printers.

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 6-11 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-5 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Experience the vibrant rhythms and joyful spirit of West Africa with the Adanu Heartland Ensemble in an engaging performance of music, dance, and cultural tradition. The group will perform “Funga Alaafia” song and dance and the “Banuwa” song with a clapping game. All audience members will be invited to participate in “Wya Wya” with the performers as your teachers!

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-5 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Come listen to the classic Nebraska-Czech sound of European-inspired music known as dechovka (Czech), blasmusik (German) or simply, polka music! You’ll hear vocals sung in Czech and English with a little German as well.

Kokyo Taiko, based in Lincoln Nebraska, will perform Wadaiko, choreographed Japanese-style drumming. Wadaiko has been described as dynamic, thunderous, and powerful; the sound can be felt in your soul. Bring ear plugs if you prefer!

The principal drummer of Kokyo Taiko, the only performance taiko group in Nebraska, will share a basic introduction to Japanese culture and Wadaiko, a style of Japanese drumming that is dynamic, thunderous, powerful and "can be felt in your soul." The group will learn a piece which they will perform at the end of the workshop. Stay for a taiko performance after the workshop ends. This workshop is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Registration is required and open now.

The Dragon Boat Festival will be on June 19, this year. We are celebrating early at the library with live guzheng music provided by the Nebraska Chinese Association Guzheng Players! Come listen to the wonderful music and learn about this traditional Chinese festival.

Calling all gamers! Have a blast learning how to code while building robotic games to test your code. You will learn about sequencing commands, value and sensor inputs, and loops. This month, kids will create a Catapult. This is a free event for kids 10-12. Children under the age of 10 will not be admitted into this program. Registration is required.

This presentation is a short journey through the origins and development of Freemasonry in Nebraska, tracing its roots from the 1850s to its establishment and growth in Omaha, highlighting the leadership of prominent Masons and the role the fraternity has played in shaping civic, charitable, and cultural life in Omaha. 

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 6-11 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Get to know the new OPL Do Space in our Skills Class! Each session will focus on learning a new skill, machine, or software. This session will focus on sewing machine basics, including the parts of the machine, getting set up, and basic stitches. After learning the basics, participants will work on creating a pillowcase! Register now for this 2-hour, hands-on program!

STEM has never been so sweet! In this hands-on program, kids will explore science and engineering using tasty treats as their tools. From building with snacks to experimenting with edible creations, learning is fun when you can eat your experiments at the end! This is a free event for kids 6-10. Registration is required

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 6-11 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Sushi with a twist! Come hang out and make your own sushi using Rice Krispie treats and candy. Learn about different types of sushi, test your skills with some chopstick games, and enjoy a fun (and tasty) challenge. Registration is required.

Experience the soul of West Africa through an hour of traditional dance, drumming, and storytelling by the African Culture Connection. This authentic performance invites audience participation, weaving together education and vibrant artistry for a truly memorable cultural celebration.

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-5 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Bring your imagination to life with stories and scrapbooks! In this creative workshop, participants will use a instant camera to take pictures (and/or bring their own pictures!) and turn them into colorful scrapbook pages using paper, stickers, letters, and more. It’s the perfect mix of storytelling and hands-on art—no writing or crafting experience needed!

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-5 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Join for “Sayaw sa Cuyo” and “Pandanggo sa llaw,” traditional folk dances performed by the Filipino-American Organization of Metro Omaha. An exploratory table featuring Filipino crafts and information will be available before and after these special dances!

Explore Filipino culture! Join us for a drop-in exhibit led by the Filipino-American Organization of Metro Omaha to learn about Filipino culture and crafts. In addition, this group will perform traditional Filipino dances from 3:30–4 p.m.

Experience an interactive, sensory-filled drop-in program led by Renee Sans Souci, Umoⁿhoⁿ educator. She will have a variety of materials to touch and talk about, including buffalo hide, items made from buffalo, and samples of bison bites from Riverview Bison (while supplies last).

Get to know the new OPL Do Space in our Skills Class! Each session will focus on learning a new skill, machine, or software. This session will focus on the introductory 3D modeling skills. Participants will be able to get to know the software Tinkercad and start their 3D printing journey!  Register now for this 2-hour, hands-on program.

Join for culture, storytelling, and community with The Japanese American Citizens League-Omaha Chapter (JACL). The JACL Dance Troupe will perform multiple dances that honor Japanese dance culture. At the end of the presentation, the dancers will teach audience members “Bon-Odori,” a traditional dance used in community gatherings to honor and memorialize ancestors.

Join for a special presentation of A Japanese Fable: Monkey and Crab told by Dr. Sharon Ishii-Jordan! Dr. Ishii-Jordan will not only read the beautifully illustrated book but will also teach children a few simple Japanese words along the way. Through lively storytelling, participants will learn new vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and discover how language brings stories to life. This event is best suited for kids ages 6-10.

Calling all gamers! Have a blast learning how to code while building robotic games to test your code. You will learn about sequencing commands, value and sensor inputs, and loops. This month, kids will create a Catapult. This is a free event for kids 6-9. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted into this program. Registration is required.

Learn about designing and printing items on a 3-D printer! Watch as they are used and take some time to design and print a small item to take home. This free event is open to adults, teens and kids over the age of 11. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Learn about designing and printing items on a 3-D printer! Watch as they are used and take some time to design and print a small item to take home. This free event is open to adults, teens and kids over the age of 11. Registration is encouraged but not required.