10th Annual OPL Fundraiser Featured Molly Shannon, Susan Orlean
Nearly 400 guests filled the Holland Performing Arts Center in downtown Omaha on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, to celebrate Omaha Public Library and the Omaha Public Library Foundation. Between the Lines, the annual fundraiser for Omaha Public Library, marked ten years with not one author, but two: comedian, actress, and author Molly Shannon; and author Susan Orlean.
The night also celebrated the longtime service of an Omaha Public Library Foundation volunteer with the presentation of the 2023 Barbara Bock-Mavis Leadership Award to Dan Kinsella.
Susan Orlean, left, and Molly Shannon at the Holland Performing Arts Center (Photo by Chris Machian)
A former Omaha Public Library Foundation board president, Kinsella is a managing partner in Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory. He also is managing partner of Deloitte’s Omaha office. Kinsella and his wife have four children. He credits his professional and personal life balance to variety and versatility. It includes travel, the great outdoors, and community involvement of all shapes and sizes.
Even after his lengthy tenure on the Omaha Public Library Foundation Board of Directors concluded, Kinsella remained active within the organization, as a member of the library foundation’s advisory council.
Past authors and venues for Between the Lines (2014-2023)
Margaret Atwood at Abrahams Branch (2014)
Wally Lamb at Millard Branch (2015)
Tobias Wolff at Benson Branch (2016)
Hope Jahren at MCC's Institute for the Culinary Arts (2017)
Amy Thielen at MCC's Institute for the Culinary Arts (2018)
Angie Thomas at MCC's Institute for the Culinary Arts (2019)
Elaine Weiss via Zoom (2020)
Yaa Gyasi at Temple Israel (2021)
Bryan Stevenson at Creighton University's Harper Center (2022)
Molly Shannon and Susan Orlean at the Holland Performing Arts Center (2023)
The fundraiser also served as the official kick-off the public campaign for the new Central Library, opening in 2026 at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Event attendees and the greater Omaha community now have the opportunity to support Central Library with donations through the Omaha Public Library Foundation.
These gifts, beginning at $72, include name recognition opportunities at Central Library.
Katie Bruno of the Omaha Public Library Foundation Board of Directors and Karen Linder, Heritage Omaha board member, are chairs of the Central Library campaign. The two also introduced a new Central Library video, viewable at the Omaha Public Library Foundation’s website and omahacentrallibrary.org.
In conversation with Keith Station from the City of Omaha, Shannon and Orlean engaged in a lively and humorous conversation about public libraries and the vital roles they play in our community. Following the 45-minute on-stage chat, both authors signed books and posed for photos with guests.
Event proceeds from Between the Lines will support Omaha Public Library programs and services this year.
Susan Orlean, far left, with Molly Shannon and Keith Station at the Holland Performing Arts Center (Photo by Chris Machian)