WIU Academic Commons and University Libraries

10/10/2026

🎃 Don’t forget — Monster Mash & FAFSA Bash is Monday!

Stop by Malpass Library LCC 2 on October 12 at 3:30 p.m. for FAFSA information, application assistance, Q&A, and help understanding the latest FAFSA features.

Attend in person or online, wear a costume if you’d like, and enter for a chance to win a $200 book award!

Details: https://wiu.presence.io/event/monster-mash-and-fafsa-bash

10/07/2026

🎃 Monster Mash & FAFSA Bash is coming to Malpass Library!

Join us Monday, October 12 at 3:30 p.m. in LCC 2 for FAFSA information and application assistance.

Learn the FAFSA basics, hear about new features, ask questions, and get help filing early. Attend in person or online — and costumes are welcome!

📚 You’ll also have a chance to win a $200 book award.

More information: https://wiu.presence.io/event/monster-mash-and-fafsa-bash

09/21/2026

On this day in 1978, Western Illinois University's new main library, the building we now know as the Leslie F. Malpass Library was formally dedicated.

The six-level facility represented a major investment in teaching, learning and scholarship at Western, with seating for approximately 1,550 people and space for nearly one million books when it was completed.

Nearly five decades later, Malpass Library continues to serve the WIU community as a place for research, learning, collaboration and discovery.

09/07/2026

📚 Labor Day Closure Notice

Western Illinois University Libraries will be closed tomorrow, Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

Regular library services and activities will resume on Tuesday, September 8

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Libraries

08/24/2026

Make Malpass Library Your Home Away From Home 💜

College life happens in more places than the classroom—and Malpass Library is here to be one of the places where you feel at home.

Whether you’re settling in for a study session, working on an assignment, meeting up with classmates, finding the resources you need, or simply looking for a comfortable place to spend some time between classes, there’s a place for you here.

Come in, find your favorite spot, and make Malpass Library part of your WIU experience.

Welcome home, Leathernecks. 💜💛

07/27/2026

📢 Closure Notice

The WIU Academic Commons and University Libraries are closed today, Monday, July 27, due to a power outage.

We expect to reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28, at 8:00 a.m.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

06/03/2026

🌎⚽ WIU Academic Commons and University Libraries Topic of the Month: FIFA & the World Cup

From the first FIFA World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 to the historic 2026 tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the World Cup has become more than a sporting event — it is a global cultural moment.

This month, WIU Academic Commons and University Libraries explores the history, evolution, unforgettable moments, women's soccer, tournament expansion, and FIFA's influence on sports and society.

As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first to feature 48 teams and matches across 16 host cities — discover how the world's most watched sporting event has shaped culture, media, competition, and international identity.

📖 Read the full Topic of the Month from WIU Libraries:
https://www.wiu.edu/libraries/area_studies/ttm/ttm_june.php

04/21/2026

The Western Challenge is getting closer — and your support can help power what comes next.

A gift to the Academic Commons and University Libraries is an investment in WIU students. It helps provide the spaces, tools, and resources they need to learn, discover, collaborate, and thrive.

Now is a great time to give and be part of something meaningful.

Support the campaign here: https://www.givecampus.com/s/33pox5/

What a difference a day makes! Join me in supporting Western students today.

04/20/2026

Presented by the Area Studies Research Center and Collections

New on our website: Peruvian Elections

Peru’s 2026 general election has entered a decisive phase, drawing attention to the leading candidates, the runoff race, and the broader political dynamics shaping the country’s future.

Explore our latest Area Studies feature for a concise overview of the election and its wider significance.

Read more: https://www.wiu.edu/libraries/area_studies/nfls/index.php

04/15/2026

The Social Media Lab is now open at WIU Academic Commons and University Libraries.

Ready to create, practice, and explore? Stop by to record your podcast in a professional setup, sharpen your elevator pitch for interviews and networking, and experience VR in an interactive new way.

Find us in Room 184, Level 1, Malpass Library, Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Come see what you can create at the Social Media Lab.