UNO Criss Library

UNO Criss Library Criss Library strives to create physical and virtual environments that foster the university's goals for teaching, learning, and research. and Mabel L.

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Libraries include the Dr. C.C. Criss Library on UNO's Dodge campus. Stop by Criss Library to see interesting exhibits in the H. Don and Connie J. Osborne Family Gallery, enjoy a break in the Marion E. and Barbara B. Tritsch Garden, or meet a friend for lunch in the Library Cafe. Visitors can enjoy free wi-fi at all UNO Libraries.

Diaries share evidence about daily life and provide a personal angle to events. Like all primary sources, diaries reflec...
05/29/2026

Diaries share evidence about daily life and provide a personal angle to events. Like all primary sources, diaries reflect the opinions, customs, and bias of the author. These are influenced by the time period, culture, economics, and politics of the time in which they are writing. You may see language about individuals, communities, and events that is historically accurate but no longer appropriate by today’s understanding. The entries of this project were chosen by ASC intern Megan, who also transcribed the pages.

June 22, 1942
The big day. Mrs. Simmons and Vivian met me at the station. I was pretty excited, mostly nervous. Vivian took me to work, to be sure I’d make it.

We heard lectures practically all day. In the P.M. they took us on a tour of the F.B.I. We were supposed to get to shake hands with Mr. Hoover, or the “Director” as they call him, but he had to pick that moment to be out of the building. Worst luck!

We are hiring for a University Librarian and Chief Knowledge Officer! This leadership role will help shape the future of...
05/27/2026

We are hiring for a University Librarian and Chief Knowledge Officer! This leadership role will help shape the future of Criss Library by advancing digital scholarship, strengthening the library’s role as a catalyst for collaboration and community engagement, and fuel student success across the university. Learn more about the qualifications, view the leadership profile, and apply by July 31st: https://hubs.ly/Q04hVY4J0

05/26/2026

Hey folks! This is ASC intern Molly (they/them). I had the great pleasure of processing the Cami Rawlings Papers this semester. Not only did I learn about an aspect of Omaha's history that I hadn't known before, but I got to see it firsthand with the items in this collection. Getting to dip my toe into the world of archives has been nothing but stellar, and preserving a slice of q***r music history made it all the more rewarding. Check out the video for a glimpse into the life of Cami Cavanaugh Rawlings ✨🌈

**music: Situation by Lavender Couch**

Final update from ASC Student worker Ava: Throughout my time working as an archival student worker, I have learned a myr...
05/21/2026

Final update from ASC Student worker Ava: Throughout my time working as an archival student worker, I have learned a myriad of valuable skills. While I had done research for much of my previous schoolwork, working in the archives has taught me how to interpret history through everyday materials such as newspapers, journals, and posters—all of which can provide vivid pictures of the past; along with interpretation, archival work has taught me how to efficiently parse through large swaths of material to find relevant information- a vital skill to have as an anthropology major!

Lastly, the archives have shown me how vital preserving history is. No matter how mundane a piece of archival material might seem, it can provide an illustrative glimpse into the past and inform our decisions for the future.

We'll be closed Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 in observation of Memorial Day. Plan your library trip according...
05/20/2026

We'll be closed Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 in observation of Memorial Day. Plan your library trip accordingly and we'll see you before or after! 👋📚 Find the full schedule: https://hubs.ly/Q04hlJHG0

Another update from our ASC Project Archivist Jessica! This is what a championship baseball team looked like in segregat...
05/19/2026

Another update from our ASC Project Archivist Jessica!

This is what a championship baseball team looked like in segregated Omaha, 1944. Photographed here are members of the Omaha Storz Championship Colored Baseball Team, who would go on to become State-City Champions. The team was sponsored by the Storz Brewery Company.

A 1943 roster documents the team in detail, listing not just names, but where players lived, where they worked, and how they were connected to the city through packing plants, local businesses, and neighborhoods across North Omaha.

A newspaper clipping records the Storz team opening a title defense with a 4 to 0 win. This is Omaha baseball, documented in names, places, and a championship season.

This project is a collaboration between UNO Criss Library Archives and Special Collections and the Great Plains Black History Museum and is funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Diaries share evidence about daily life and provide a personal angle to events. Like all primary sources, diaries reflec...
05/15/2026

Diaries share evidence about daily life and provide a personal angle to events. Like all primary sources, diaries reflect the opinions, customs, and bias of the author. These are influenced by the time period, culture, economics, and politics of the time in which they are writing. You may see language about individuals, communities, and events that is historically accurate but no longer appropriate by today’s understanding. The entries of this project were chosen by ASC intern Megan, who also transcribed the pages.

June 20, 1942
The day I leave – Can it really be possible after all these years of dreaming of this moment. I used to wish so hard and much on the first star of the evening it got so I could see the Capitol alone shining through.

Mother has been taking it swell. I hate leaving the folks – they mean so much to me. I hope I’m a success, so they can be proud even though lonely.

Today was the Hahne picnic.

Lois came up for supper. I did eat a little while I was busy talking to her!

Helen Hany and the 3 boys were up in the early evening. I’ll miss those kids so. But then as I always say – I may be back in a couple of weeks!

Mother got a little tired as the evening went on, so dad and I went down home alone. Grandpa seems to be taking my going the hardest, mother and I seem to be taking it the best.

Irene E. and her mother were over and Irene cried terribly when they mentioned my going. I’ll miss her too – there’s so much I’ll miss.

At last the clock rolled around to the time to leave. I was so happy – practically all the gang came down to the train. They gave me 3 packages of gum and Jean T. gave me two letters to read on the way. She’d lost the third one.

I didn’t cry a bit – I was in a terrible daze. Mom and Dad I think were too. Everyone else cried. You have to leave town to find out you’re appreciated. Lois and Jean both stood there crying. It gave me courage just looking at them. I tried to cheer ‘em up.

“Pete” was up for a couple hours. He’s been through alot you could tell even if he didn’t say anything. He told me to take a deep breath and keep plugging on even if I did get homesick. That’s what he’s had to do.

Rev. Suter was also up. We had company all day long.

Lois, W***y and I didn’t sleep so terrible much ‘til Sun. morning. It’s a little uncomfortable sleeping sitting up.

Margins: The folks (all the relation) got me two of the swellest suitcases. One (the small one) has the comb brush – etc set in it

This post was written by ASC Intern Emma: While interning at ASC, I learned how zines are an important tool in Outreach ...
05/14/2026

This post was written by ASC Intern Emma: While interning at ASC, I learned how zines are an important tool in Outreach work. During my internship, I created three zines using the UNO Athletic Collection. These zines were about Women's Athletics at UNO, the History of Hockey at UNO, and the Evolution of Durango.

In addition to creating zines, I also shadowed an in-person class at the Archives. This class came in to view the zine collection at ASC to get their own ideas on how to make one. Photographed are some of the materials included in my hockey zine!

Stop by and check out our May displays! We're looking at a number of topics, including reading recommendations from the ...
05/13/2026

Stop by and check out our May displays! We're looking at a number of topics, including reading recommendations from the Philosophy Department, our 50th anniversary, Mental Health Awareness Month, travel, and more!

Final project update from ASC Intern Luca: I learned a lot interning in the Archives and Special Collections this spring...
05/11/2026

Final project update from ASC Intern Luca: I learned a lot interning in the Archives and Special Collections this spring, from the digital side of the collection to the physical care of artifacts. Learning about ArchiveSpace was very interesting for both the public side and the staff interface. I learned how to navigate different topics and find specific items, but also how items are normally described. It was fascinating seeing the diversity of the items and documents that are kept here as well as the different ways we store them for preservation. It makes you pay more attention to each item and notice the little characteristics about them, appreciating the history behind every piece of the collection. You can always learn something new about an item no matter how simple it seems to be, whether it is a painting or an antique football. Everything has its own history and can be easily accessed and understood in a collection like this. My favorite items were the more mundane ones, such as the bag of dirt that was excavated from the first floor of the library during the 2009 construction.

Make sure you stop by the main level of Criss Library to see the bag of dirt on display in the exhibit curated by Luca!

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6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE
68182

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Tuesday 7am - 10pm
Wednesday 7am - 10pm
Thursday 7am - 10pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
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