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OPS announces summer reading partnership with Omaha Public Library, expands book access for students
Summary
Omaha Public Schools told the board it will expand summer access to books through a partnership with the Omaha Public Library: K–5 students will check out school library books for the summer, Next Level Learning sites will host open library days in June, and Sora digital resources will remain available.
Omaha Public Schools on Monday outlined a summer reading plan that pairs district libraries with the Omaha Public Library to increase students' access to books and curb summer learning loss.
Mrs. Christofferson, an OPS staff member who presented the plan, said the effort is part of the district’s strategic ‘moonshot’ goal that “all students will read on grade level by 2030.” She told the board K–5 students will be able to check out one or two books from their school library to take home for the summer and that Next Level Learning elementary sites will host open library days on Wednesdays in June (June 3, 10, 17 and 24) with story time and checkout hours.
The district will also continue providing K–12 students with access to Sora ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines on home devices, and the Omaha Public Library will provide two books to participating K–5 students who sign up for the library’s summer reading challenge. Christofferson said families will receive guidance and discussion prompts on the OPS website, and that school libraries will encourage students to bring books back in August when they return to class.
Board members asked how the district will measure whether students actually engage with the material and how the initiative will target students who are furthest behind. In response, Christofferson said OPS will track site visits and checkout counts, confirm enrollments with the public library, and rely on next-level learning sessions during the summer to deliver targeted intervention for students who need additional reading support.
Board members also raised access concerns — including transportation and home internet — and Christofferson said the program aims to mitigate those barriers by providing books that travel home with students, opening neighborhood sites during June, and offering digital options through Sora for families with devices.
The presentation included practical guidance for families and an invitation for board members to participate in local story times. The initiative will be publicized on OPS's website and through school communications.
The board did not take formal action on the program at the meeting; it was presented as an information item.
