The Billings Public Library Board has established the High Plains Book Awards to recognize regional literary works which examine and reflect life on the High Plains, including the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
The High Plains Book Awards originated as an idea from the Chair of the Billings Public Library’s Board of Trustees in 2006. Lloyd Mickelson loved the literature of the High Plains that evoked its special connection to that singular landscape. He encouraged the rest of the Board to consider having the Library sponsor an award to recognize and reward the excellent writing of our region. The first Awards were presented in 2007. Though the library is still a sustaining sponsor, the High Plains Book Awards is now a separate nonprofit organization.