Bennington Public Library

Beginning August 10th, the Bennington Public Library will be open to the public during its regular hours again, but with restrictions.

We welcome back all of our patrons and thank you for your support and understanding during this time.

We are taking precautions and following a phased approach to reopening to the public to keep everyone as healthy and safe as we possibly can.

Please follow the rules and guidelines when visiting the library. We are striving to keep everyone as safe as possible when they visit the library, and we need your help and cooperation to do so. The rules and guidelines will be in place until further notice and subject to change. 

• The first hour of operation each day we are open will be reserved for patrons with health concerns and the elderly.

• Please limit your library visits to 30 minutes or less. A limited number of patrons will be allowed inside the library at one time. You may be asked to wait until someone else leaves.

• Please wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth while in the building.

• Please sanitize your hands at the hand sanitizing station upon entering the library.  Additional hand sanitizer and wipes will be available throughout the library.

• Please follow social distancing guidelines by staying six feet apart from other individuals.  We ask that family groups stay together and maintain social distancing (6 feet) from other patrons not in their group.

• Please return materials to the outdoor book return only. Items, upon being returned, are quarantined up to 5 days before being checked in and returned to the shelf. 

• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or other adult guardian.

• The library will be open for checkout and essential computer services only.  Functions of the “Library as a Community Gathering Space” will NOT be available–study rooms, study tables/chairs, group gatherings, etc. Lingering and socializing inside the library will be discouraged.

• In person programs will not be offered during this phase of reopening.

• Computers will be limited to adult use only with time limited to 30 minutes.

• Please stay home if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting signs of illness.

• We will continue to offer Curbside Pickup for those who may not feel comfortable entering our building. Our digital services through Nebraska OverDrive and RbDigital are also available.

• Conference Center Rental applications are now being accepted. Applicants must agree to adhere to the most current Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Directed Health Measure for their gathering.

• Please call the library at 402-238-2201 if you have any questions.

The Library remains closed to the public until further notice. However….

We are still here for you!

CURBSIDE PICKUP SERVICE

Here’s how it works:
We are committed to providing safe access to physical library materials through a limited curbside pickup service.

Curbside pickup step-by-step:

1. Place items on hold.

Use our online catalog to search for items.

Place items on hold.

2. Wait for notification, then call us to schedule your pick up.

You will receive an email or phone call when your hold is available for pickup.

After you receive notification, call the library to arrange an estimated time of arrival so staff can have your items ready.

Staff will check out your items, put them in a bag, and place the bag outside the front entrance.

3. After calling, pick up your items at your scheduled time.

Bags will be outside near the front entrance.

Find the bag labeled with your first name and last initial.

Grab your bag and enjoy!

We are accepting returns in our outdoor book return.

We are so excited to present our new Story Walk for the Bennington Community just in time for National Library Week. A huge thanks to author Bruce Arant for giving us permission to use his book and to Design 4 for creating the signs for us. Please stop by the soccer fields to read Simpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep!

In light of recent developments regarding the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19 in the City of Omaha/greater Douglas County and concern for the health of our patrons and staff, it has been decided that the best course of action is to close the Bennington Public Library and Community Conference Center effective Monday, March 16th. The length of the closure is undetermined. We will post updates on this page as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as the situation develops. Please stay home if you are sick, practice social distancing and WASH YOUR HANDS.

Click here for information from the CDC about how to protect yourself.

While the library is closed to the public, staff will continue to work on site. The library has a great collection of electronic resources from e-books to audiobooks, as well as online magazines and databases. Please feel free to call the library if you have any questions.  We will be happy to help navigate you through these online options.

The library will still accept book returns via our outdoor book drop. Library materials that have been checked out and are coming due will be renewed if needed.

We know how important the library’s services are for everyone and we are dedicated to providing whatever level of service we can despite the closure.

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE

Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Bennington Library and a special partnership with Lauritzen Gardens, the Bennington Public Library is pleased to offer Lauritzen Gardens day passes for checkout to its patrons.

The passes admit two adults and children under 18 years of age living in the same household. Only one pass may be checked out per family per week. Passes must be returned to the library within seven days of checkout. Unreturned or late passes will be subject to a $5 replacement fee.

To check on availability, search the library catalog or call 402-238-2201.

Thanks to a special partnership with Fontenelle Forest and the generosity of the Friends of the Bennington Library, Bennington Public Library is pleased to offer free Fontenelle Forest admission to library members.

Fontenelle Forest day passes are good for one-time admission on the day of the week designated on the pass, and each pass admits two adults and children from their household. Individuals should check out the pass for the day of the week they are interested in visiting Fontenelle Forest. Only one pass may be issued per library card, and passes cannot be placed on hold. Passes are loaned to customers for up to seven days and must be returned to BPL at the expiration of the loan period. Unreturned or late passes will be subject to a $5 replacement fee.

To see which passes are available for the day of the week you’re interested in visiting, check the online catalog or call the Bennington Public Library at 402-238-2201.

For more information click here: Fontenelle Forest Pass FAQs.