Blog Entries

10 Reasons Yoga is Good for Children and How the Library Can Help

Have a date night on us! Whether you want to celebrate Valentine's, Galentine's, or just treat yourself, we've got a great night in store for you every Friday night in February.

Each time you attend a movie night in February, you'll get up to two tickets to put in the drawing for a Movie Lovers Bundle Prize! Not only are drinks and snacks free, you can also take some commemorative photos at our themed photo booths!

Here's what's in store:

Jumpstart your healthy lifestyle in 2024 and join us for a Snack and Chat workshop series for adults! During each workshop, Hannah Copp from the Virginia Cooperative Extension will share tips, tricks, and healthy snacks! 

Workshops are scheduled for Fridays at noon in the Handley Library Benham Gallery on the Lower Level. Space is limited. Registration encouraged. Click the links below to learn more, and register for one (or more) today!

Have you seen the name “Orrick” around town and the county?  Who was this man for which multiple local sites were named?   

Welcome to the Handley Regional Library System, home to the magnificent 110-year-old Handley Library – a true architectural gem nestled in the heart of Winchester, Virginia. Join us on our next exclusive tour, taking place on January 13th at 11 AM, as we unlock the secrets of this historic library, delving into its fascinating architecture and rich history.

Unveiling Hidden Treasures

Guten Tag!  Stewart Bell Jr.

What's going on in the catalog? 

We've started showing books and more in our catalog immediately after they've been ordered!  You can tell what's on its way to our shelves by the "on order" status. 

Now you can put a hold on whatever exciting new release you're waiting for!  Just remember it might take a little longer before your "on order" hold is ready for pickup than if it was already on the shelf - but we are behind the scenes hard at work getting it ready to put it into your hands! 

We are thrilled to announce that September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! This annual initiative encourages individuals of all ages to explore the world of knowledge, imagination, and discovery by obtaining a library card from any of our three branches: Bowman Library, Handley Library, and Clarke County Library.  

Family History Hunters is an informal group for genealogists of all levels of experience that meets every month at Handley Library.  The organization is a discussion group examining research strategies and current genealogy topics.  It is a place to come and share your successes and find help with your challenges.  Each month features a different focus.  Here's what's coming up...
 

October is American Archives Month, and it seems like the perfect opportunity to bring together archives from across the Shenandoah Valley to celebrate and educate the public about what we do.  What does it mean to be an archivist?  How do we preserve a variety of different types of artifacts for future generations?  What do the archives in the Valley have in their collections?  And how can we help you with your research and questions? 

The Handley Regional Library’s Stewart Bell Jr. Archives are proud to invite Jonathan Noyalas, director of Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute, back to the stage!  He has spoken numerous times about the Civil War and its impact on the Valley and its people. 

Do you know the story of Rebecca Wright and Thomas Laws?  They aided Union General Philip Sheridan with information regarding Confederate General Jubal Early’s troop movements in and around the Winchester area.  Rebecca Wright, a Winchester school teacher with loyalty to the union, would collect intelligence about troop movements and pass that information along to Thomas Laws.  He was an enslaved man who would carry that intelligence to Union scouts.  The information provided by Rebecca Wright and transported by Thomas Laws was crucial to Sheridan’s decision to attack Wi

Handley Regional Library Stewart Bell Jr. Archives is proud to be a participant in the first Winchester - Frederick County - Clarke County Hungry for History event.  Hungry for History is a community event that brings together our history with a love of food.  Museums and historic sites in our community will offer a variety of programs and special events such as presentations, cooking demonstrations, hands-on activities, children’s activities, food tastings, special handouts and giveaways, displays of historic recipes, agriculture related programs and more.

Have you ever thought about all the photos on your phone: photos of loved ones, silly moments that bring you joy, and milestones in your life?  Can you find the photo you want to show someone quickly?  Do you worry what could happen to those photos should the phone break?  Do you have a plan to preserve those photos for the future? 

Digital photography has made it so much easier to make memories, but also brings new challenges when it comes to organizing and preserving these digital images for future use.

Join us Saturday, September 23rd for some fun activities that teach you "how-to" do new things such as how to save seeds, how to go on a real life treasure hunt by geocaching, or even how to make a button! 

Here's how the day will work: 

Stations and workshops will be set up all around the library, providing you with opportunities to pick and choose the activities that interest you. If you aren't at a scheduled workshop, you can stop by one of our many stations for a laid back how-to demonstration. 

10:30 AM