A child reading a book on a lovely grassy knoll surrounded by animal friends is depicted on Omaha Public Library’s new children’s library card. The library will celebrate the launch of the new card Mar. 2, 2 p.m. at the Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St. Designed especially for young library customers through age 6, the card features original artwork by Aurora, Nebraska-based children’s book illustrator Preston McDaniels.

McDaniels has illustrated books by several different authors including the Phineas L. MacGuire series by Frances O’Roark Dowell and the Lighthouse series by Cynthia Rylant. He is the author of “A Perfect Snowman” which is in its fourth printing. McDaniels will speak at the celebration and will discuss illustrating and writing children’s books and how a book is created. “Omaha has such a wonderful library organization, to play even a small part in it is a real honor for me,” said McDaniels. The Bookworm bookstore will have his book for sale and he will do book signings. The celebration is free and open to the public.

“We are excited to offer this special card to children,” said Library Executive Director Rivkah Sass. “It is a beautiful way to encourage children to be excited about reading and using the library.”
Some of the things children can do with an Omaha Public Library card include:

• Check out books, music and movies at 11 branch libraries
• Reserve materials online and pick them up at local branches
• Play Wii, PlayStation and other video games at select branches
• Listen to master storytellers relate enchanting tales
• Catch a puppet show, magic act or movie at their local branch
• Use computer stations to play games, email friends or surf the web
• Earn great prizes by participating in activities such as the library’s Summer Reading Program

The library card is sponsored by Friends of the Omaha Public Library. With a library card, the library is always open – just visit omahapubliclibrary.org.

Contact:
Linda Trout, 402-444-4838, ltrout@omahapubliclibrary.org
or
Rivkah Sass, 402-444-4834, rsass@omahapubliclibrary.org