Blog Entries

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 the 2nd Saturday of every month, as we unlock the secrets of this historic library, delving into its fascinating architecture and rich history.

Unveiling Hidden Treasures

We hope everyone had a great time at our How-To Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Handley Library branch. 

Save the date for next year – Sept 26, 2026. If you would like more details, contact Handley Library Branch Manager Adrienne Davis at 540-662-9041 ext. 13.

If you missed it, our annual How-To Fest is an out-of-this-world learning experience for humans of all ages to connect, create, and acquire new skills. Knowing how to human is hard.

The Friends of Handley Regional Library System sponsor live music at our libraries with concerts called A Little Noon Music. From September to May, a variety of musicians delight audience members with their talents. This program has been running for over 40 years at our library and is still going strong!

Nancy Pullum was a resourceful woman of the 19^th century.  Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains around present-day Thorton Gap, Nancy made a living catching rattlesnakes and rendering their oil into a medicinal ointment. She was connected with her natural world in many ways: milking cows and raising hogs, picking wild berries, and facing the harsh mountain winters.  Her friends and neighbors include John (a formerly enslaved man) and the historic Virginia sculptor William Randolph Barbee.  

Are you curious about your family's past? Whether you're just starting your genealogy journey or you're a seasoned researcher, the Handley Regional Library System offers a treasure trove of free genealogy and local history resources to help you dig deep into your roots.

Here’s a look at the powerful tools available through our library system—some of which you can access from home, and others you’ll want to explore during a visit to one of our branches.

Are you looking for ways to better yourself? Do you feel isolated in your journey to self-discovery and personal growth? Join the Handley Library branch and MoveMentation in welcoming the brand-new Better Human Book Club! Our focus is on books that help us know ourselves and allow us to explore personal and communal growth together.

Did you know that Stewart Bell Jr. Archives has over 25,000 photographs housed in its collection?  It’s true!  These photographs represent a diverse look at our community and its people throughout the years.  The oldest photographs date to the early years of mass photographic technology in the 1850s, and the latest photographs date to the 2020s.  Within those one hundred and seventy years, a lot of local events, places, and people have been documented through photography.   

A key source of information while researching your family history is the U.S. Census.  It can provide you with information about where your ancestors lived, when they were born, what they did for employment, and where their families came from.  However, the records are not perfect and require some basic understanding of how to read the documents. 

Could your ancestor be a witness in a criminal case?  Could your ancestor be involved in a civil lawsuit?  Could your ancestor’s testimony be found in a division of assets complaint? County court records are extensive and cover a wide range of topics.  Using them in your genealogical research may help break through brick walls in your search and offer insight into the lives of your ancestors and the community in which they lived.  So how do you find and use these documents?  Well, come to the Handley Library Robinson Auditorium on Saturday, March 15 @ 10:30 am

The Friends of Handley Regional Library System has partnered with a new non-profit organization called MoveMentation to offer tai chi classes at our libraries. MoveMentation was started by Adrian VanKeuren of Tai Chi Healing Energies. Tai Chi, at its core, is a movement medicine.  Originally a martial art originating in China, tai chi combines slow, continuous, mindful movements with deep breathing.

Come to our first Archives After Hours event of the year on Thursday, January 30 at 5:30 pm.  This event’s focus will be on our local World War I veterans and the Handley Plaques. 

New Years is a great time to pick up hobbies and join clubs.  Got an interest in the past?  Wondering about who your ancestors were?  Why not join Family History Hunters?  Family History Hunters is an informal monthly meeting for genealogists of all levels of experience.  The group meets on the second Thursday of each month to discuss a topic related to studying your family history to make genealogical research more successful.  The upcoming topics include… 

January - Beginners Genealogy

February - Googling your Ancestors 

Many locals will be familiar with the connection to prisoners of war camps the Winchester area has had throughout history: the Hessian prisoners brought here during the Revolutionary War and the German prisoners during World War II.  Many may be unfamiliar with the story of a small group of 20 men from Philadelphia, PA exiled out of the commonwealth and sent to Winchester for months during the Revolutionary War.  Norman Donoghue’s new book Prisoners of Congress: Philadelphia’s Quakers in Exile, 1777-1778 examines that topic. 

There's one more chance to attend our popular Archives After Hours event this year.  The final one will be held on Thursday, October 24 @ 5:30 pm.  If you haven't heard, each Archives After Hours event begins with a presentation concerning special items found within the collection and an explanation of how those items can help the researchers that visit the space. 

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.

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

Are you researching your family’s history?  Have you hit a brick wall in your research?  Do you have tips/strategies that you can share with others?  If so, Family History Hunters is the group for you!

Did you miss out on Hungry for History last year?  If so, you don't want to miss it this year.  Across Winchester and Frederick/Clarke County 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.  To kick off the Hungry for History week, Stewart Bell Jr.

The Book Club is BACK!

After a long hiatus, we are ready to bring the book club back! The Book Club will be open to all adults (ages 18 and up) and will meet monthly to connect readers, discuss books, and introduce new authors and stories.

Bowman Library is your go-to destination for fun and engaging games that cater to all interests and ages. Whether you're a word wizard, a strategic mastermind, or just looking for a good time with friends, we've got something for everyone. Check out our exciting lineup of game-themed programs!

Scrabble Club

Wednesdays, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Are you a knitting enthusiast, a crochet aficionado, or perhaps someone who loves embroidery or latch hooking? Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, we have the perfect gathering for you! Join us for our Sit and Stitch program at Handley Regional Library System, where you can bring your work in progress, share tips and tricks, and enjoy the company of fellow crafters.

Summer is the perfect time to dive into new books, and our Adult Summer Reading Program (ASRP) is here to make your reading even more rewarding! Here are five compelling reasons to join the fun this summer:

Looking for an epic summer adventure? Look no further than your local library! Here are 10 reasons why you should dive into the excitement at our library system this summer:

1. Youth Summer Reading Program: Join us for a summer of literary exploration with our Youth Summer Reading Program! Dive into captivating stories, embark on thrilling adventures, and earn exciting rewards along the way.

Welcome to National Library Week, a time when communities across the nation join hands to celebrate the cornerstone of knowledge, inspiration, and community: libraries. At Handley Regional Library System, we're thrilled to be part of this annual celebration, and we invite you to join us in commemorating the incredible contributions libraries make to our lives. This year's theme, "Ready, Set, Library!" embodies the excitement and readiness to explore the myriad offerings libraries provide. Here are ten ways you can celebrate National Library Week with us:

As the cold of winter melts away and the warmth of spring begins to blossom, the Handley Regional Library System is abuzz with excitement for our upcoming theme: "Spring into the Library." With an array of enriching programs and events lined up, there's no better time to embrace the spirit of the season and dive into the world of literature, music, culture, and community. Here are 10 compelling reasons why you should make the library your go-to destination this spring:

Handley Library will be hosting two different events on March 16th in collaboration with Old Town's Celtic Fest!

First, at 3:00 PM in the Robinson Auditorium, we have Irish dancers of all ages from Armstrong Irish Dance Academy coming to perform, in celebration of St. Patrick's day! Click here to see the event in our calendar. 

Searching for a job is like a job in and of itself. It is time-consuming, challenging, and – in this age of digital technology – can be quite complicated. But the Handley library is here to help. We have partnered with NW Works to bring one-on-one job seeker assistance to anyone who needs it – no registration, no library card required. Anyone can use this fantastic, free resource!

We are constantly striving to enhance your library experience and are thrilled to introduce you to our latest gem – Kanopy, a premier video streaming service that is sure to elevate your entertainment journey. With just your library card, you can now unlock a world of quality, thoughtful content that spans movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, and educational videos.

What is Kanopy?