Western Library System

09/30/2026

The September issue of the Western Sun is here! 🍂

This month’s issue is packed with updates from libraries across the region, highlights from the WLS Annual Meeting and our Annual Report, and some exciting upcoming opportunities, including the Larksong Writing Series and the Digital Citizenship Symposium.

There’s plenty more inside, so be sure to take a look!

The Western Sun September 2026

09/23/2026

Thank you to the Reta E King Library @ Chadron State College for co-sponsoring the Craig Johnson author tour stop in Chadron. Memorial Hall Auditorium was filled with laughter and great conversation Tuesday evening.

The refreshments were wonderful!

09/23/2026

Monday evening the Midwest Theater hosted the third author event with Craig Johnson. Learning and laughing with the author was a great time!

09/23/2026

Amazing author event with Craig Johnson at the Sidney High School Auditorium on Sunday! Great stories were told!

09/20/2026

Thank you to Chase County Schools in Imperial, NE for hosting the Western Library System and the 1st stop of the Craig Johnson author tour across Western Nebraska. We had a great time!
Next stop Sidney!

08/14/2026

Greetings! ☀️
The August issue of the Western Sun is here! As summer winds down and we start looking ahead to fall, this edition is packed with great updates, opportunities, and stories from libraries across the system.

In this edition:
🍂 Upcoming fall conferences and retreats, including NLA/MPLA, School Librarians Day, and the Joint Youth Services Retreat

💻 Special pricing on AWE Learning Workstations

🚗 Fall Crawl

📚 Craig Johnson Author Tour

✨ And much more!

Happy reading!

The Western Sun August 2026

08/06/2026

Craig Johnson, bestselling author of the Walt Longmire mystery series, will visit four western Nebraska communities this September for the Western Library System’s 2026 Author Tour.

During his presentation, “The Man from Ucross: Population 26,” Johnson will discuss his writing and the Longmire series. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase books and connect with fellow Longmire fans.

Tour Schedule
• September 20, 1:00 p.m. MDT — Imperial (Chase County Schools Auditorium)
• September 20, 6:00 p.m. MDT — Sidney (Sidney High School Auditorium)
• September 21, 6:00 p.m. MDT — Scottsbluff (Midwest Theater)
• September 22, 6:00 p.m. MDT — Chadron (Chadron State College, Memorial Hall Auditorium)

All events are free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

07/31/2026

The July edition of The Western Sun is here! We hope you’re staying cool indoors—or perhaps enjoying a Summer Reading Pool Party!
This issue features my reflections on some recent book-related news, information about the United for Libraries Virtual Conference, along with information about the exciting upcoming joint conference of the Mountain Plains Library Association and the Nebraska Library Association.

Enjoy!

The Western Sun July 2026

06/29/2026

We had a blast hosting a Mario Kart Tournament at Broadwater Public Library during Broadwater Days! 🏁🎮
Interested in holding a Mario Kart Tournament at your library? Reach out to the Western Library System Office. We would be happy to help! 😊

06/12/2026

The June edition of the Western Sun is here! We hope you’re staying cool and hydrated now that summer has officially kicked off. Take a break, grab an ice-cold lemonade or iced tea, and see what other libraries across the system are up to.

In this issue:
• Upcoming conferences, including NLA/MPLA, Joint Youth Services, United for Libraries, and the WLS Annual Meeting
• Summer Reading kickoffs
• Adventures in hydro dipping
• And much more!