Handley Regional Library System announces the Scholastic Chess Tournament with the Shenandoah Valley Chess Club (local chess club that meets at Bowman Library and Handley Library) on February 29th at 10AM-5PM at Handley Library in Winchester. This event is for grades k-12 and all skill levels, with tournament rounds taking place and open chess play throughout the day.
The Heimat-Handley Quartet will be performing chamber music at Barns of Rose Hill in Clarke County on February 22nd at 2PM. The performance is part of Clarke County Library’s programming and is sponsored by the Friends of the Handley Regional Library System. All avid chamber musicians, each player brings a wide array of experience and renewed energy to both the music and the group playing violin and cello. The performance is free and open to the public.
For the month of February, adults can participate in a new program called Push Your “Shelf” at Handley Regional Library System.
The next book drop-off date at Bowman Library (Stephens City) has been announced as February 15th at 9AM-12PM. You can bring gently used books, CDs, DVDs and electronic games. Donations will become part of the Spring Used Book Sale in March 2020.
We are celebrating Black History Month with a unique program called Black Artist Spotlight, where kids can learn about and create their own artwork in the style of famous Black artists.
The programs will focus on Faith Ringgold, famous for using quilting techniques to create her artwork, on February 11th and Kara Walker, famous for creating massive silhouettes, on February 25th.
There will be a preschool open house on February 8th at 2PM at Handley Library. Families can meet with teachers and staff from local preschools and daycares as they consider their options before enrolling. Children are welcome to attend to try out different school activities and get to know potential new teachers. The program is free and open to the public.
We are excited to announce a fun program just for teens – Potato Chip Taste Contest! On February 3rd from 6PM-7PM, teens can gather at Bowman Library to put their taste buds to the test in several games involving potato chips to identify them by taste, flavor and texture. Each brand has a story and prepares their chips in unique ways.
Great news - we are contiuing the successful Girls Who Code club at Handley Library. This is a free program where girls can learn and apply coding techniques and programs as part of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) based learning. The program happens every Thursday afternoon at 4:30PM starting February 6th and is designed for girls ages 8-12. Registration is required at www.handleyregional.org/kids.
Don't Miss The 2nd Annual Come Out of Hibernation Day, A Day Packed Full of Ways to Experience Everything the Library Has to Offer
We are excited to announce the annual Harry Potter Yule Ball on January 24th at 7PM at Handley Library. This is a free event for middle and high school students with wizarding centers, butterbeer, make your own floating candle, dancing, games, snacks and other fun events. Plus, attendees can watch “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" on the big screen! Come dressed in semi-formal best (if you’d like, but not required) or favorite Harry Potter character as we celebrate the love of Harry Potter!
The next Genealogy Lunch Bunch is at Handley Library on January 24th at 12PM. Sponsored by the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, 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.
Introduction to Yoga, a free program series for adults, will begin at Handley Library starting January 21st at 6PM. This will be a monthly program on the third Tuesday of every month. The class is designed for anyone who has ever been curious about yoga, but has never known where to start. In a workshop style, participants will go over terms, breathing, and some gentle flow yoga. There will be props and modifications offered so that everyone can participate!
Teacher Biography:
Winter reading has begun at all branches of Handley Regional Library System for kids, teens, and families now through January 31, 2020. Pre-readers up to five years of age can earn online badges, stickers, and other prizes based on the number of books read. Readers 6 and up can also earn stickers and prizes based on how many minutes and hours read. Participants can track their reading logs online at www.handleyregional.org/wrc or through the app available on the webpage.
A new writer’s group for adults will meet every week at Handley Library Starting January 15th at 10:30AM. The group is open to all genres and levels of experience. Participants can be beginners or published authors. The format includes a period to write followed by a period to read manuscripts (optional) with feedback and discussion. For more information on this group, contact Todd Strader (library staff) tstrader@handleyregional.org or Gail Huntley (facilitator) gailhuntley01@yahoo.com.
1455 A Place for Writers Author Series at Handley Regional Library System continues with author Nathan Leslie on January 18th at 3PM. Leslie will read from his award-winning series, Hurry Up and Relax. Leslie is the recipient of the 2019 Washington Writers Publishing House Fiction Award. Leslie’s nine previous books of fiction include Three Men, Root and Shoot, Sibs, and The Tall Tale of Tommy Twice. He is also the author of a collection of poems, Night Sweat.