The library will be closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Regular hours resume on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 10 a.m.
The Friends of the Library will host their annual Book Sale on Saturday, June 28 beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until 2 p.m. Purchases are by donation and everything must go – plan to stock up! The annual Ice Cream Social begins at 11 a.m. on the northside of the building, enjoy a variety of homemade desserts and ice cream! Proceeds from these events help fund live performers and programs, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Dial-A-Story and much more!
Musician Sean Gaskell will share songs and history on the kora — a 21 stringed West African harp on Wednesday, July 9 at 1 p.m. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800-year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. This musical program is suitable for all ages and you may have the opportunity to try the instrument out!
“My Friends” is a novel by Fredrik Backman. Most people don’t notice the three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in one of the most famous paintings in the world. Lousia, soon to be eighteen and an aspiring artist herself, is determined to find the story behind three enigmatic figures. Her search results in a chance encounter that puts a transcendent work of art in her hands and she embarks on a cross-country journey to discover how the painting came to be and decide what to do with it. “My Friends” is also available digitally in Libby.
Other new fiction books include “A Touch of Steele” by Cathy Maxwell, “Leaving Independence” by William W. Johnstone, “Never Flinch” by Stephen King, “Snowy Mountain Christmas” by Sharon Sala, “The Bandit and Other Western Stories” by Loren D. Estleman and “Going Home in the Dark” by Dean Koontz. Two new young adult novels are “Gallant” by V.E. Schwab and “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart.
“We’ve Got Issues: How You Can Stand Strong For America’s Soul and Sanity” by Phillip C. McGraw is among new non-fiction books along with “A Soldier’s Life: a Black Woman’s Rise from Army Brat to Six Triple Eight Champion” by Edna W. Cummings plus 4 volumes of “Dungeon Crawl Classics, Tome of Adventure” by various authors, including Harley Stroh, the son of Harold and Carla Stroh.
The Lenna Lewis Slagle Children’s Library has these new junior books “Creaky Acres” by Calista Brill, “Buns Gone Bad” by Anna Humphrey, and “Dark Sunshine” by Terri Farley. Among the newer easy titles are “Me and Other Bunnies” by Mo Willems, “Wish in a Tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, “My Mother’s Invisible Shield” by R. A. Stephens, “The St. Patrick’s Day Alphabet” by Liz Saunders.
“Happy 4th of July!” is the theme for Storyhour on July 1, 2025. Storyhour is held from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday throughout the year for preschool-aged children. Children enjoy stories, crafts and activities plus the opportunity to interact with their peers. The Friends of the Library sponsor Dial-A-Story, call 307-334-3274 anytime to hear a recorded story!
The library hosts extensive area history and genealogy; visit the library’s website: https://niobraracountylibrary.org and check it all out. Read about the Silver Cliff Radium Baths from the 1922 issue of the Lusk Herald or the Golden Nugget Potato Chip business in Lusk in 1946. If you have local history pictures that can be included, please let us know!
Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.