About Us

Mission

The mission of the Bennington Public Library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen community.  To deliver on this promise we rely on three great resources–our staff, our collection, and our physical space.

Physical Address: 
11401 North 156th Street
Bennington, NE  68007

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 32
Bennington, Nebraska 68007

Email: info@benningtonlibrary.org

Phone: 402-238-2201

Fax: 402-238-2218

Library Staff

Lisa Flaxbeard, Director
Kate Humphreys
Shay Snow
Natalie Hartley
Lynn Barna

Library Board of Trustees

Sharleen Rapp, President
Kim Brunk, Vice President
Mary-Ellen Bartels, Secretary
Kip Squire
Terry Rohren

Community Needs Response Plan 11.26.2018 AKA Strategic Plan

Please click on this link BENNINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY POLICIES to view all library policies compiled, reviewed and maintained by the Bennington Public Board of Trustees.

Library Card Policy

download library card application here
  • Bennington Public Library cards are issued at no cost to:
    • Anyone who lives, owns property, or has a business within the boundaries of Douglas County. 
    • Students attending public or private schools in the Bennington School District, and employees of Bennington Schools and City of Bennington.
  • Disclaimer:
    • A mailing address of Bennington, Nebraska is not sufficient to determine eligibility for free privileges.  Funding for the Bennington Public Library is supported by the taxpayers of Douglas County only.
    • All applicants who wish for full services must provide photo identification and current street address verification. 
    • A parent can show identification and address verification for his/her child.
    • Each household member should be present to receive his/her library card.
    • Non-Douglas County residents:
      • Anyone who does not live in Douglas County may purchase an annual (12-month) non-resident membership for $30.  
  • Forms of acceptable identification (Picture ID required for check-out privileges):
    • Current Nebraska state ID
    • Current driver’s license or automobile registration
    • Printed checks (personal, payroll)
    • Utility bills dated within the past 30 days
    • Business correspondence on official letterhead dated within the past 30 days
    • Current lease, mortgage papers, or rent receipts that officially state the property address
    • Current BPL library card of another family member
  • Library Card Renewal:
    • Library cards for residents are renewable every two years. 
    • At the time of account renewal, the customer must appear in person and re-verify all account information with proper documentation, as well as pay any fines/fees due.
    • A parent can show identification and address verification for his/her child.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Bennington Public Library September 27, 2010

By-laws of the Bennington Public Library Board of Trustees
Article I: Name
This organization shall be called “The Bennington Public Library Board of Trustees”. The Board exists by virtue of Section 51-201 et. seq. of the Revised Statues of the State of Nebraska and Article VI, Section 1-601, Ordinance No. 316, section 2 of the Municipal Code of the City of Bennington.

Article II: Members of the Board
Section 1: The Library Board shall consist of at least five members, a majority of which shall be residents of the City.

Section II: The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Bennington City Council for individual terms of four (4) years. Members of the board may be reappointed at the end of such term. The members’ terms of office shall be staggered to provide for continuity in policy and orderly transition of membership.

Section III: In cases of vacancies by resignation, removal or otherwise, the City Council shall fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.

Article III: Officers and Their Duties
Section I: The officers of the Board shall be a President, Vice-President, a Secretary, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary.

Section II: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Board, to appoint Board members to standing committee’s and to carry out such other duties as the Board or these By-Laws may impose.

Section III: The Vice-President shall preside at all meetings of the Board in the absence of the President, and carry out such other duties as the Board or these By-Laws may impose.

Section IV: The Secretary shall maintain a true and accurate written record of all meetings of the Board, shall carry out such other duties as the Board or these By-Laws may impose.

Section V: Should the President or Vice-President be absent from any meeting of the Board, a member shall be selected to preside by a motion.

Section VI: In the absence of the Secretary another Board member shall be appointed to act as Secretary pro tempore by the presiding officer.

Article IV: Terms of Office and Elections
The officers shall be elected annually at the first board meeting of the calendar year. The newly elected officers shall assume the responsibilities of their offices upon election and until their successors are duly elected.

Article V: Meetings
Section I: Regular meetings of the Library Board shall be held monthly, or at such times as the Board deems appropriate. Written notice of the time and place of the meeting shall be posted at least three (3) locations in the community, in conformity with the provision of the law of the State of Nebraska.

Section II: Special meetings may be called by the President or by any three (3) Board members.

Section III: Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section IV: Proceedings of all meetings shall be governed by “Robert’s Rules of Order”.

Article VI: Order of Business
The order of business at the regular meeting shall be established by the presiding officer.

Article VII: Amendment of the By-Laws
These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Board by affirmative vote of at least three (3) members of the Board, provided notice of the proposed amendment is presented for consideration. These by-laws shall be reviewed annually. All other written policies for operations, collection management and personnel shall be reviewed annually.

Adopted 11/27/2006

Revised 11/22/2022