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Think of a library, and you'd probably think of books.
John Bernardi thought of libraries as so much more. The branch manager of the Charles B. Washington Branch Library welcomed ideas that turned the library into a hub of activity in northeast Omaha.
Omaha library officials announced that Bernardi, 58, died this weekend from H1N1 flu complications.
During his tenure, patrons there were entertained by performers, enlightened by speakers, served breakfast with family members and ribs with friends.
The library, at 28th Street and Ames Avenue, became a place for young people to learn and grow and for adults to find resources and support.
Without trying to attract attention to his work, the 21-year veteran of the library system helped transform the Washington branch into a de facto community center, typically busy and filled with visitors.
But there's been an eerie absence since Bernardi's death Saturday, a co-worker said. The library will close Wednesday, the day of his funeral.
“Every time I walk by his office I feel a void,” said Alonzo Adams, a community youth specialist at the Washington branch.
Bernardi will be irreplaceable because of his impact on the area and his genuine concern for people, Adams said.
News of Bernardi's death stunned those who knew him. Adams said his boss was “all smiles” when he left two weeks ago for vacation.
David Rose, Bernardi's companion of 27 years, said Bernardi appeared healthy when the two went to Branson, Mo. They even took a strenuous, half-mile cave hike.
Within a day or two, both felt like they were developing head colds, Rose said. On Thursday, Oct. 22, Bernardi felt nauseated and couldn't eat his meal, his partner said. The two gave up front-row seats at a Roy Clark concert and watched TV at their vacation time-share.
The next day, as planned, they returned to Omaha. Bernardi was listless and still lacked an appetite, Rose said. On Sunday morning, Rose noticed Bernardi's shallow breathing.
They went to Bergan Mercy Medical Center, where Bernardi was admitted and immediately given oxygen, Rose said.
The H1N1 diagnosis came Wednesday, as Bernardi's condition worsened. Thursday, he seemed to rally, but by nighttime, he seemed to go downhill, Rose said. Bernardi had developed a secondary infection, doctors told Rose.
Bernardi died Saturday morning at the hospital. He became Nebraska's eighth death related to the H1N1 flu.
The Douglas County Health Department, which does not identify H1N1-related deaths by name, said the man who died this weekend had an underlying health condition. Rose said he knew of no underlying conditions, except for Bernardi's high blood pressure, which was being treated with medication.
Services for Bernardi will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz Funeral Home at 5108 F St. Preston Love Jr. will sing at the funeral, Rose said.
Bernardi's loss is being felt throughout north Omaha and across the library system.
Under Bernardi's leadership, the Washington branch offered several unique programs, including a June fair for families — complete with rides, a petting zoo and a concert — a job fair to combat unemployment, a Kwanzaa celebration and a summer program for teens that attracted 60 to 75 youths for a lock-in on summer Friday nights.
Parents and children could get together for stories and breakfast on Saturdays.
He joined the Omaha Public Library staff in January 1988 as an adult reference librarian. He was promoted to manager of the Washington Branch in November 2000. He received his master's degree from Indiana State University and had worked at the Council Bluffs Public Library as a bookmobile librarian.
When counting visitors, the Washington branch is one of the busiest libraries in Omaha.
“It's stunning and it's so sad, and it's such a loss to the library and to the whole community because of how much he loved what he did,” said Rivkah Sass, former director of the Omaha Public Library and now directing the Sacramento (Calif.) public library system.
“He was one of those people ... if he thought it would have a positive impact on the community, he would say: ‘We can figure out how to do that.' I loved the passion he had for the work he did.”
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444-1304, news@owh.com
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