Blog Entries

We are sooo excited to announce that Parent’s Choice Award Winner and Grammy Nominated Kid Pan Alley will be offering a free songwriting workshop along with several performances for kids as part of the library system’s Valley Reads Summer Reading Program. Led by founder Paul Reisler, Kid Pan Alley will offer a song-writing workshop on June 24^th at 6PM with a performance from workshop participants on June 25^th at 11AM - both at Bowman Library in Stephens City.

Ready...

Set...

READ!

It's Showtime at Your Library!

We're setting the stage and getting creative this week as we head into our summer reading events, starting with "It's Showtime with Art!"

It's Showtime at Your Library this summer and the Bowman Library is excited to welcome some very special guests: Songwriters with a deep love for music and a tremendous amount of creative energy. 

That's right, we're welcoming children! 

Apple Valley Ringers will be performing a special Sunday concert on June 2^nd at 3PM at Bowman Library, part of the Handley Regional Library System. The performance titled Handbell Potpourri - Classic to Contemporary, will featured their well-known beautiful and sacred music, plus unique titles The Addams Family, Bohemian Rhapsody The Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, and other surprises. The concert is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Friends of the Handley Regional Library.

The Handley Regional Library System is planning a fantastic summer reading program entitled, “It’s Showtime At Your Library” and the teens are getting into the action!

Because of the performance-oriented theme, members of our Teen Advisory Board will be hosting a Teen Music Jam for any interested young musicians in the area.

The family-friendly Celebration in the Garden will be on March 25^th at 2PM in the outdoor Mike Foreman Reading Garden at Handley Library. The anticipated event features LIVE music from Parents’ Choice Award Winner, Mr. Jon and Friends, face painting, balloon twisting, interactive yard games, popsicles, and more! Kids and their families can also sign up for the Summer Reading Program where they can win prizes based on hours and books read or sign up for a library card for the first time.

The next program in Genealogy for Beginners Series, Wills and Deeds is at Handley Library on May 28^th at 6:30PM.  The program is presented by Joan Wood, Archives Assistant, is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, the program is a

Stewart Bell Jr. Archives m announces the Genealogy Lunch Bunch at Handley Library on May 24^th at 12PM. The Genealogy Lunch Bunch is an easy and friendly way to discuss with like-minded people genealogy success, frustrations, and tips for researchers of all levels.  Researchers need to bring their own lunch. 

We are helping patrons learn a new language with a special workshop on May 23^rd at 6PM at Bowman Library. The program, Mango Languages Workshop, will show attendees how to use the free Mango Languages app available in the 24/7 digital library on the library system’s website. The app has over 70 different language courses – from Arabic to Yiddish  - where you can learn online through interactive tutorials focused on culture, introductions,  lifestyle, and more.

Storytimes are back! 

The puppets have had their vacation, the librarians have made their plans, and we're super excited to share with you all of the wonderful things we've planned for our summer!

Our summer reading event this year is "It's Showtime" and we're ready for some lights, camera, ACTION! Save the date for our Rally for Reading at 11:00 AM on June 1st at the Bowman Library. 

The Handley Regional Library System has a large collection of downloadable audiobooks and eBooks available through the Blue Ridge Download Consortium. Browse thousands of titles from anywhere. Take advantage of curated lists or search for your favorite author. Then check it out just like you would at the library

The Adult Services staff offers two ways to help you get started!

Be part of the next science cafe conversation at Brewbaker's Restaurant 

A Science Café is a lively, informal public event in a casual setting that focuses on a topic of wide interest. We’ll begin with an illustrated talk, followed by Q&A, door prizes, and more! Participants are free to purchase food and drink and to engage with the presenter and other participants.

Date / Time:

Wednesday, May 29th | 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Add the event to your calendar here.

We have a new gardening program for adults on May18th at 2PM at Bowman Library in Stephens City. The program, Native Plants: Attract Friendly Pollinators to Your Garden, is taught by Master Gardner Stacy Morgan Smith. Smith will show attendees how to grow a pollinator garden that will bring in bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators throughout the season. The adult program is free and open to the public. 

New Website Makes it Easier for Library Patrons to Access Books, Materials, Digital Media, and Programs

We are excited about our new website!

Handley Regional Library System and the Friends of the Handley Regional Library announce their annual meeting with special speaker Christine A.