Transforming the Library Into a Welcoming Community Hub

Located in an Old Market building on 14th and Jones, Omaha Public Library’s downtown branch brings discovery and connection to the heart of the city. For nearly three decades, the adaptive reuse building originally functioned as the Dale Cole Creamery Co. In 2013, HDR was brought onto the task of adapting this space as a library that would honour its past while embracing a vibrant future as a centre for learning reflective of Omaha’s values of knowledge, art and connection. 

A New Chapter for a Historic Site

Interactive community meetings revealed what potential patrons need the library to include: ample room for children and families, flexible spaces that can grow and change with the community and a design that connects to the feel of downtown and the historic structure of the branch. The design celebrates the site’s historic charm with exposed brick and restored creamery tiles integrated with modern finishes of wood and steel illuminated by expansive windows.

The first floor of the two-story building is designed to evoke a cozy living room where patrons can leisurely enjoy the space with both comfortable and practical amenities to suit any and all needs. Key features include:

• Relaxed seating areas
• An informal seating stair overlooking the downtown streetscape
• Computer access for patrons

The second floor houses the teen section and a reading room. This space is stocked with best-sellers and classics, featuring wall-to-wall wood shelving that provides a comfortable backdrop for patrons to immerse themselves in their chosen media. Five glass-enclosed meeting rooms are equipped with the latest technology, enabling groups to collaborate on projects or individuals to accomplish tasks undisturbed.

A vibrant mural leads the way to the children’s area, which spans more than half of the first floor and is designed to be flexible and multifunctional with minimal prescriptive spaces. Central to the children’s area is the Story House, which features numerous entries, playful colours, magnetic components and cubbies, helping foster imagination and wonder in young readers.

The Heart of Downtown

Today, the downtown branch creates an opportunity to cultivate community and literacy development while bringing life and pride back to its historic neighbourhood, embodying the spirit of adaptive reuse with a design that reinforces Omaha’s Midwest charm.

In collaboration with TACKarchitects alongside Historic Resources Group and Margaret Sullivan Studio.