Blog Entries

When I think about my own reading interests, I tend toward books containing elements of fantasy, supernatural, humor, and a touch of science fiction and mystery. It’s always nice reading genres I enjoy since it is both comforting and entertaining. But I also work at a place where I’m surrounded by all sorts of reading materials, and one of the services we provide here at the library is assisting patrons in finding new things to read. If I’m only reading certain types of books, how can I best help other people explore new titles?

Dear Residents of Frederick and Clarke Counties and Winchester City,

I’m writing today to provide an update on the operations and service availability of Handley Regional Library System.  The information in this letter has been carefully considered as we protect the health and safety of our staff and patrons due to COVID-19 – and reflect unified decisions made by Library staff and the Library System Board. 

Home all day self-isolating can be a challenge, and missing your regular activities with library storytimes doesn't help. The Handley Library System's Youth Department is committed to helping our young patrons make this as enjoyable as possible and this week's storytime is perfect for some at-home enjoyment!

Frederick County, Virginia, Courts-Martial of Militia Troops conducted between September 1755 and October 1761, transcribed by John Walter Wayland from originals in back pages of  Frederick County Deed Book 18, are now available online through the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives Digital Collections.

The youth library staff here at Handley Regional Library really misses all of our young patrons during this temporary closing. For this reason, we've been working to bring you content to enjoy at home. 

TumbleBooks, a world leader in online children’s book databases, announced today it will make its family of online libraries available for free to all public libraries until at least August 31.

Take a break with your library by participating in these free, interactive virtual programs. There is something for everyone in the family! Registration may be required, so check the library calendar for more information. Our Youth Services team has been hard at work planning to bring the library world to you virtually during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Check back monthly for more interactive programs.

If you haven’t discovered Hoopla yet, you’re in for a real treat. We've added Hoopla streaming to our already abundant digital library options for patrons to access. With more than 300,000 movies, television shows, ebooks, audio books, music, comics, and more, your digital world just got enhanced by leaps and bounds!

The theme for early childhood programs this week is Being Green!  Although we won’t be gathering to share the stories and songs, we do have some great online resources to share, as well as songs you can use to build your own special story sharing time together. 

For families of all ages, a global pandemic can be alarming and confusing. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading throughout the United States now, specifically, and has led to school and public closures. The uncertainty of this national and global situation can induce more anxiety in our kids. However, learning how to talk about what is going on and what to do next can be the first step that grown-ups can take to lead to better understanding for families with kids.

The census is a count of every person who lives in the United States and its territories. It happens every 10 years. It's not too late to respond but you need to act quickly! Data collection for self-reporting and nonresponse followup will end September 30th. In early 2020, you were asked to count everyone who lived in your home as of April 1. Responding to the 2020 Census is a chance to shape your future. It even helps secure funding for your local public library! For the first time, you can complete the census online, by phone, or by mail.

The following programs and events have been canceled at Handley Regional Library System.  This page will be updated as programs need to be canceled.  We are sorry for any inconvenience, however the safety and health of our staff, program performers, and patrons are our top priorities.  

This is a list of programs through March 17th.  Updates will be communicated regarding the status of programs and events beyond that date as soon as possible. 

We are excited to announce today the official release of a new streaming service called Hoopla Digital – expanding their online digital portfolio of materials to patrons. Library card holders of all ages can now access a massive digital library of over 300,000 movies, TV shows, eBooks, Audio Books, comics, and music online at www.hoopladigital.com at no cost.

It's shaping up to be a great week at Storytimes at HRLS, and we're counting on a number of fun activities! Head over to any of our three branches and explore some shapes and numbers through stories, rhymes, music, and more. 

Water is life, yet we very much take water for granted in the developed parts of the world. March 22nd is World Water Day, a yearly reminder that this precious resource is vital to survival. Water as a subject is broad and deep. It appears in the title of books on spirituality and religion; flows through science; policy and current events; swirls around fish, oceans, marine mammals, birds and all the wildlife that also depend on water for their existence.