Each month, explore a new genre - or enjoy a favorite - with NoveList's 2026 Reading Challenge: Find What You Like. 

This month's spotlight genre is Mystery! Solve puzzling situations and see justice served, whether cozy or suspenseful.  

If you’ve ever watched your toddler stack blocks during storytime…
or seen your baby light up when they hear a new song…
or connected with another caregiver while your child plays nearby…

Then you already understand what this news is about.

The Handley Library branch in downtown Winchester has officially been named a Family Place Library™, becoming the first library in the Shenandoah Valley to receive this national accreditation.

While that title sounds formal, what it really means is simple:

If you spend time on the Youth Services floor at the Handley branch, you have likely heard us talk about our Grow a Reader brand, and our new Read and Seed Activity Program. Handley’s Grow a Reader Initiative provides space to all families so that they can play, connect, and thrive as lifelong learners. The Activity Program aims to package our library’s collections, programs, and services with incentives for kids and caregivers as you complete the age/stage seed packets.