About the Library
About the Library
Valley Public Library was founded by the Valley Woman’s Club in 1902 with a collection of 40 books. It now holds over 10,000 items, including books, magazines, audio books, DVDs, board games, and microscope kits. The library has been housed in several of Valley’s historic buildings, including the Masonic building at 108 N. Spruce Street, the former home of Valley Floral at 223 N. Spruce Street, the 1924 high school building, and now stands at 232 N. Spruce Street.
The building’s history as a bank can be seen in authentic touches such as the safe deposit vault and brick interior walls. Patrons can browse books related to Valley’s and Nebraska’s past and present in the vault, which holds our Nebraska collection.
Much has changed at the library over the years. It has gone from a quiet retreat for reading and studying to a busy community hub providing computers, internet access, and printing services. The underlying commitment to providing the community with information and resources for life-long learning remains constant, as does the support from members of the community.
Special Collections
Nebraska Room
Our vault houses the “Nebraska Room”, a collection of materials about Nebraska and Valley. These special collections include books written about Nebraska or by Nebraska authors, items about the history of Valley, Valley High School (DC West High School) yearbooks, and records pertaining to the Valley Cemetery. Items in these collections assist researchers, those interested in family genealogy, and those interested in Nebraskan history.
Special Items for Checkout
Microscope Kits
We have two microscope kits available for checkout. These must be checked out by an adult, but we recommend showing young folks the wonders of the micro-world!
Telescope Kit
Thanks to our friends from Omaha Astronomical Society and The Astronomical League, we have a telescope kit available for checkout. Containing everything you need to view the night sky, our telescope is great for getting a closer look at the moon or catching glimpses of planets as they pass through our sky. This kit must be checked out by an adult, but is a great resource for the whole family!
Watt Detectors
As part of Omaha Public Power District’s Watt Detector Program, we offer two watt detectors for checkout. Plug the detector into the wall, then plug an appliance into it. You can find out how much it’s costing you to keep things running or even just plugged in.
Puzzles and Board Games
Our puzzles available for checkout range from 12 pieces to 1500 pieces! Our games are also for all ages. From well-known games like Sorry and Yahtzee, to lesser-known games like Tak and Potion Explosion, we have something for everyone!