By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – The Omaha Public Library has extended the community challenge two weeks.
The community challenge was issued in late August in response to budget cuts. The library's 2009 budget was cut three times. Officials planned to close branches, eliminate programs and reduce hours in response.
Library Board President Kevin Thompson says anonymous donors offered $200,000 dollars, but with three conditions attached. They wanted the community to raise at least $100,000. The city couldn't make any more cuts to the library budget this year. They also requested that city officials restore library funding to 2008 levels. That means all branches would stay open and operational.
Thompson says the community challenge has raised $130,000 so far. Mayor Jim Suttle is expected to announce his actions regarding the 2010 budget at a news conference Thursday morning.