The Book Drop

This week on The Book Drop, OPL is breaking in the brand-new Media Production Room at Central Library with an absolutely incredible guest interview: The Rock Bottom Remainers. Join us for the studio’s debut session (video available on YouTube) as Maggie and Angela sit down with seven of the world’s most famous authors, featuring Dave Barry, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson, Mitch Albom, Matt Groening, Scott Turow, Alan Zweibel.

All the books...

This week on The Book Drop, Amy and Maggie welcome library friend B.J. Novak (The Office) to help OPL break in the brand-new podcast studio as one of the first remote guests in the new digs. Building on the joy of his visit for the Omaha Public Library Foundation’s Between the Lines fundraiser, B.J. joins us for a special encore conversation to share his latest book recommendations.

All the books and resources we talk abou...

​This week on The Book Drop, we're joined by Zedeka Poindexter, with Nebraska Writers Collective. for a conversation in honor of National Poetry Month and a preview of the upcoming National Youth Poet Laureate Commencement.

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

Happening at the Library: 

• Stories After Dark: Human vs. Nature | F...

On the latest episode of the new title drop, Angela and Melanie are joined by another member of OPL’s Collection Development team, Mark.

Check out this month's titles and place holds here or visit omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

• Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear With Stephen King by Carline Bicks
• A Room in Bombay: A Memoir by Manil Suri
• Japanese Gothic: A Gothic Dual-Timeline Novel of Ghosts, Hauntings ...

This week on The Book Drop, we're joined by Megan Simonich, library specialist, to discuss our latest reading challenge theme to read a book about writers or writing.

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

Happening at the Library: 

• Our Musical Stories | Saturday, April 4, 1 to 2 p.m. at Downtown Branch 
• Book Bedazzling | Tuesday...

This week on The Book Drop, get a "fly-on-the-wall" listen as OPL staff gather to train on the technology at the new Central Library. From geeking out over 3D printers and Glowforges to answering your big questions about parking, these candid conversations capture the genuine excitement and new-mic jitters of getting ready for day one.

We’re all learning these new spaces together, and we can’t wait to welcome th...

This week on The Book Drop, we're joined by Angela Fernandez, Collection Development Librarian and co-host of Libroteca and New Title Drop, to discuss our latest Reading Challenge: Read a book about an immigrant’s experience.

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

Happening at the Library: 

• Stories & Scrapbooks | Friday, Mar...

This week on The Book Drop, we visit with public historian Nicole Blackstock, whose new podcast Rooted in the Plains explores Great Plains history through narrative storytelling. In this episode, Nicole dives into Nebraska’s Carnegie libraries and how these remarkable buildings came to towns like Broken Bow and Chadron, what they meant to their communities, and the lasting legacy they created across the state.

All the book...

This week on The Book Drop, we’re happy to have back a true fan favorite, David Dick, assistant branch manager at Downtown Branch. We’re using the upcoming 311 Day as a springboard to reminisce about Omaha’s music scene and celebrate the thriving musicians and bands playing today. Plus, we share how you can discover local gems yourself in OPL’s music collection.

But wait, there's more! Keep listening until the end for a bonus s...

This month on New Title Drop, Angela and Melanie swap moving stories, both memorable and challenging, while OPL staff gear up for the exciting transition to the new Central Library.

Check out this month's titles and place holds here or visit omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

• The Glorians: Visitations From the Holy Ordinary by Terry Tempest Williams
• The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann
• The Star From Calcutta by Sujata Masse...

This week on The Book Drop, OPL’s podcast, we are delighted to welcome Collection Processing Manager, Ben Brick, back to the show. Ben joins Amy and Maggie to highlight the most historic of hobbies: stamp collecting. In honor of the centennial anniversary of the Omaha Philatelic Society, you’ll hear about the fascinating world of philately.

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by v...

We’re talking about the brand-new Omaha Public Library Central Library that is weeks away from opening, April 19, 2026. We’ve gathered some incredible behind-the-scenes insights from the librarians, architects, and community leaders who are bringing the vision of Central Library to life.

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast.

What’s Hap...

Happy Valentine’s Day. In this episode of The Book Drop, Amy and Maggie are joined by Grace Trembath, recently selected as Assistant Branch Manager for the Central Library team, for a conversation on love stories!

This episode is your companion for the Reading Challenge theme to read a love story. OPL’s Reading Challenge is an annual program designed to push outside of your reading comfort zone.

All the books and...

This week on The Book Drop, we’re turning the show over to 1st Sky Omaha in the Morning for a full-on takeover with Paul B. Allen and Buddi3 Da Gawd. They dive into Black literacy during Black History Month, the excitement around Omaha Public Library’s future, and the books, films, and archives that help preserve untold community stories. Think civic conversation, North Omaha history, and lots of love for libraries as places of tru...

On the latest episode of the new title drop, Angela and Melanie discuss what they love about the Winter Olympics before getting into their book recs for February 2026.

Check out this month's titles and place holds here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

1. Skate It Till You Make It: A Novel by Rufaro Faith Mazarura
2. Bloodfire, Baby by Eirinie Carson
3. Crown City by Naomi Hirahara
4. Autobiography of Cotton: A Novel by C...

This week on The Book Drop, we dive into News Literacy Week with special guest Daniel Vanourney, Lance staff member and circulation manager for The Lance, Westside High School’s student-run print publication. Together, we explore the importance of news literacy—the ability to evaluate whether information is trustworthy—and the vital role student journalism plays in an informed community.

All the books and resources we talk about in ...

This week on The Book Drop, your hosts Amy and Maggie are joined by Learning Librarian Emily Beasley to kick off the Reading Challenge with a discussion on the theme to read a book to boost your happiness! Emily submitted the theme idea, which was picked by OPL’s collection development team.

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast.

About the Reading...

This week on The Book Drop, we’re looking back at some of our favorite moments here on The Book Drop. We had some great guests, delightful book recommendations and meaningful conversations!

All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. 

Happening at the Library: 

• Writers Workshop: Tastes Like Home: The Unwritten History of Our Culinary Tradi...

Happy New Year! On the latest episode of the new title drop, Angela and Melanie discuss new year reading goals and what’s actually working, or not working, when it comes to building better reading habits.

Check out this month's titles and place holds here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast.

Check in with us on the first Tuesday of every month to hear about books we think you should be excited about.

The ...