Blog Entries

Fun, Educational Wildlife Program to be Held at Handley Library

Handley Regional Library System will be presenting a fun, educational wildlife program in the Handley Robinson Auditorium at the Handley Library branch on July 23, 2021 in-person at 2 PM for kids, teens, and families as part of their youth summer reading program “Tails and Tales”.

Meet your backyard neighbors and learn about their natural history as well as ways humans can help and not hurt native wildlife. Focus is on the survival skills of area wildlife, the impact of humans on our wild neighbors and the importance each of these animals has to our ecosystem. Animals may include ...

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20 Years At Bowman Library

July 16th marks the twentieth anniversary of the opening of the Bowman Library! The library was the culmination of years of planning and work on the part of library staff, county administrators, and dedicated volunteers.

 

 

In August 1998, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted to fund the new library for the sum of $4 million dollars. By October of that year, the Lakeside site on Tasker Road in Stephens City was selected for the location of the new library and design plans were underway by the architects. In April of 1999, the library boa...

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Welcome to Hoopla flex!

Our digital collection just got better! Starting June 23, 2021, library patrons have even more to love about the digital collection on hoopla. Hoopla is a web and mobile library media streaming platform that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone, even your TV. 

New hoopla Flex Borrows!

In addition to the 3 hoopla Instant borrows you receive each month with your library card, you will now have 6 hoopla Flex borrows you can use on thousands of specially marked hoopla Flex eboo...

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We are Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Bowman Library!

Handley Regional Library System is thrilled to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mary Jane and James L. Bowman Library, which opened to the public on July 16, 2001. An anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, July 17, at Bowman Library from 11 AM to 1 PM. The festivities will include a live, old-time music jam session, so community members are encouraged to bring an instrument and join the fun, or just come to enjoy the music. There will also be an indoor family photo booth, a “History of Bowman” outdoor story walk, Mattie’s Mobile Soft Serve for purchase, displays of the ...

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Page Turner ANIMAL Adventures!

Use this login information to gain access:
Username: PTA2021HRL
Password: summer2021

Welcome to Page Turner ANIMAL Adventures! 

Join Storyologists, Page Turner and Kenny as they jump into the Once Upon a Time Machine in search of stories and adventure. Along the way, you’ll participate in awesome shows, create fun crafts, make delicious recipes, and meet some amazing guests. It’s going to be a WILD SUMMER filled with lots of laughs, wonder, imagination, creativity, and, of course, BOOKS. Because... WHEN YOU READ, EVERY DAY IS AN ADVENT...

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New Virtual Exploring the Library Adult Summer Reading Series

In conjunction with the 2021 Adult Summer Reading Program, library staff will be holding a virtual series about Exploring the Library to help patrons best utilize the library and its resources. 

The first program is "Finding eBooks, Magazines, and Audiobooks through Libby" on Wednesday, June 16, at 7 PM. Libby is an application that allows library patrons to read or listen to books and magazines on devices such as phones, tablets, or computers.

Did you know that the library makes available thousands of books in digital format, many of which cannot be found...

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Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Mysteries!!!

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is taking a look at Mysteries!!!  There are so many different types of mystery books available that there is literally something for everyone’s tastes!  Some are straight mystery/detective stories while others are more suspenseful and thrilling; mysteries are usually cross genre as well meaning that not only is there a mystery element, but there may also be some fantasy, science fiction, or historical elements as well.  We have a great selection this week from realistic to fantasy, murder mysteries and crime solving so you will either...

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Express Picks Service Launched for Popular Titles in High-Demand

Handley Regional Library System announces today the launch of Express Picks at all 3 library locations – Bowman Library, Clarke County Library, and Handley Library.  Express Picks is a specific collection of books and DVDs that are in high demand, have a shorter borrowing timeline of 7 days, and are extra copies of popular materials to help ensure availability.  An individual can borrow up to 2 books and 2 DVDs at a time, and renewals/holds are not allowed due.  Patrons will see displays at each library.  Late fees are .50 per item to encourage quick return.  Blog Type: Homepage News

New Library Out Loud! Podcast: Adult Summer Reading 2021

We sat down with an amazing group of librarians and lovers of literacy to talk about our community-wide Adult Summer Reading Program, new books at the library, programs for adults, and reading recommendations.

Listen to this episode on our website now.

Other Ways to Listen:

Sound Cloud Apple Podcasts Spotify IHeartMedia

Special thanks to our podcast media sponsor:

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New Library Out Loud! Podcast: Youth Summer Reading 2021

We sat down with Donna and Katie to learn about Youth Summer Reading 2021, prizes, how to register, and Info Please, a free online research tool for young learners!

Listen to this episode on our website now.

Other Ways to Listen:

Sound Cloud Apple Podcasts Spotify IHeartMedia

Special thanks to our podcast media sponsor:

 

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Genre Spotlight: Science Fiction

Science fiction is often a misunderstood genre. It's assumed to be universally chock-full of inscrutable scientific or technical jargon (no offense to those who enjoy such things, you are far more powerful than I will ever be), and lacking in things one usually likes to find in stories such as relatable characters, well-plotted stories, and readable prose. But it’s hardly true that such science fiction (often called “hard science fiction” or “hard SF”) offers nothing in the way of enjoyable stories and characters. 

There’s also a huge range of subgenres within science fi...

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What's New? Your Guide to the Libby App Update

If you’ve been using the Libby App recently within the past month, you may have noticed some changes in how the app looks. The app recently underwent a major update that not only looks a little different, but it also has some updated and newly added features. Below are some of the highlights with this update:

New Layout
Libby has redesigned the look of the homepage to make it easier to navigate. At the top of the homepage there are filters you can tap on which allow you to browse just added titles, popular titles, what’s available to borrow right now, a randomized view of t...

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Database Spotlight: Mango Languages

You can find our latest "Database Spotlight" on our YouTube channel. In April we highlighted "Mango Languages", an online language learning tool that offers courses in Spanish, Polish, English, Mandarin, and over 70 other languages. You can access "Mango Languages" free with your library card though our website. Learn key phrases, watch movies in the language you are learning and use the online translator. This website is best for families and upper elementary school age students and would be great for keeping up your language skills over the summer and brushing up right before go...

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Library Out Loud! Podcast: Hidden DVD Gems

We have a new podcast episode on Library Out Loud!, the official podcast for Handley Regional Library System. 

In this episode we talk with Karen at Handley Library about DVD recommendations with a few surprises. We talk about Barbarella, David Hyde Pierce, and more. These are true gems in our DVD collection you will want to see.

Many Ways to Listen

On Our Website Sound Cloud YouTube Apple Podcasts IHeart Media

This podcast is sponsored by iHeart Media.

 

Speaking of reading recommendatio...

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Browse What's New

Browse our virtual shelf from over 15 different genres to find your next great read!  These are some of the latest released, hottest authors, current events, and relevant stories all curated in one spot.  You can receive these reading recommendations through email too by signing up here.  Our virtual shelves are updated constantly, so check back often!

See something you like?  Visit any branch or click the book title to learn more, find a similar topic in our catalog, or reserve online.  Selections are available as physical books, eBooks, or audiobooks as ...

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