In this episode of The Vault by FNBO, host Christina Kahler welcomes Adrienne Perry, CEO of the Omaha Public Library Foundation, to discuss the opening of Omaha’s new Central Library and the evolving role of public libraries in today’s communities. Adrienne shares her professional journey from Borsheim’s to the Foundation and explains how the organization supports Omaha Public Library’s 13 branches by funding programs, collections, technology, and community experiences beyond what public funding can provide. The conversation highlights how libraries have become much more than places to borrow books, serving as hubs for learning, connection, and opportunity.Adrienne also offers an inside look at Central Library’s development and early success, including more than 70,000 visitors and 38,000 books checked out during its first month. She describes the community-driven vision behind the project, which features innovative spaces for gathering, creating, and learning, including a makerspace, podcast studio, public art collection, and the library’s signature automated “Book Bot” retrieval system. Throughout the episode, Perry emphasizes the library’s role in promoting literacy, expanding digital access, and strengthening civic life, while sharing her hopes for continued community support and growth across the entire Omaha Public Library system.To learn more about the Omaha Public Library Foundation, visit https://www.omahalibraryfoundation.org/. Member FDIC #TheVaultByFNBO #FNBO #OmahaPublicLibrary #OmahaPublicLibraryFoundation #OPL #OmahaCentralLibrary #PublicLibraries #ModernLibraries #Omaha #communityimpact Chapters 00:00 - Welcome to The Vault 00:09 - Why Public Libraries Still Matter 00:44 - Meet Adrienne Perry of Omaha Public Library Foundation 02:05 - Omaha’s Library System and Local Branches 03:40 - How the Foundation Supports OPL 04:36 - The Opening of Omaha’s Central Library 05:09 - Central Library’s First-Month Impact 06:10 - What Could a Modern Library Be? 07:32 - The Book Bot and Central Library Innovation 09:30 - Public Art, Coffee, and a New Library Experience 09:55 - Story Time, Symphony, and Family Programming 10:30 - Creative Technology, Podcast Studios, and Do Space 10:57 - Genealogy, Local History, and No Shushing 11:50 - Seed Library, Discovery Pass, and Surprising Benefits 13:06 - Makerspace Tools and Free Learning Opportunities 14:05 - Lifting Up Every Omaha Library Branch 14:32 - Community Support for Central Library 15:50 - Why Libraries Are Essential Civic Institutions 17:13 - Literacy, Equity, and the Digital Divide 18:09 - Libby, eBooks, and Digital Reading 20:25 - Book Club Bags and Shared Reading 20:53 - Adrienne’s Favorite Books and Current Reads 23:18 - A Memorable Opening Day Moment 24:15 - What Success Looks Like in 5–10 Years 26:04 - Closing Thoughts