Blog Entries

The last day of school is right around the corner.  Summer break is almost here.  We have lots of resources to help keep you busy 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.

The Handley Regional Library System is excited to announce the "Rally for Reading" kickoff event for the 2024 Summer Reading Program, with the theme "Adventure Begins at Your Library." There are adventures to be had and unique celebrations at all three branches!

Handley Library will kick off the season with its event on Saturday, May 25, from 11 AM to 1 PM, with fun activities in the Reading Garden - Kona ice, a Drew Blue Shoes magic show, and a food drive for Bright Futures.

Persistence, grit, trying again, not giving up. There are many ways to put it and it is not an easy thing to teach to our younglings... but do we give up? No! Instead we keep going to model it and apply our problem solving skills. 

The Handley Library branch is introducing a new curbside pickup service through our MyLibro app!

Don't have the app? Click here to learn more about it!

Curbside appointments have five easy steps:

Kanopy Kids 

What is it? Thousands of streaming videos that are safe, educational, and parent trusted. Focused on children 2-8 years old. No view limits or monthly passes. Free with your library card.

What can you find? Old and new TV shows such as Little Bear, Sesame Street, Max & Ruby, Sarah & Duck, Blippi, T-Rex Ranch, Cocomelon, and Sid the Science Kid. Read along storybooks with new books by Mo Willems and old classics such as Where the Wild Things Are.

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:

Our teen book spotlight this week is all about books that have been nominated for the Virginia Reader’s Choice (VRC) High School award for the 2024-2025 school year!!  The VRC award was started back in the 1980s with the goal being that students across the state

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all about books that have been nominated for the Virginia Reader’s Choice (VRC) Middle School award for the 2024-2025 school year!!  The VRC award was started back in the 1980s with the goal being that students across

A HUGE part of reading is retention through memory. Are we remembering each letter sound? Can we recall the sound on the spot for both lowercase and uppercase letters?

Handley Library branch has achieved KultureCity® Certification as a Sensory Inclusive^TM space. This certification marks a significant step forward in the library's commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all patrons, including those with sensory processing needs.

There are so many historic homes in our community.  These homes can be a delight for their owners as well as their neighbors, offering interesting architectural elements and properties with long stories.  Would you like to learn how to find those stories?

Come to our presentation: How to Research your Historic House.  Our speaker, Maral Kalbian, will discuss the various methods and sources you may explore to learn more about the history of these properties. 

Have you checked out any of our Juvenile Read-Along books?

Find general information about our Juvenile Read-Along collection HERE on our website. 

The library’s collection of bilingual (English/Spanish) picturebook Read-Alongs continues to grow. A quick search of “bilingual read-alongs”  in the catalog reveals more than 50 titles. Some favorites are featured below.

Our teen book spotlight this week is on books that were published in 2014 and are celebrating their 10th birthday!  I do not know what was in the water, air, or universe that year but there were so many amazing titles and authors to come out of that year of publishing that books we read today are still inspire

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that were published in 2014 and are celebrating their 10th birthday!  I do not know what was in the water, air, or universe that year but there were so many amazing titles and authors to come out of that year of publishing that books we read today are still

The Archives is opening their doors after closing time!  Throughout the year, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives will be holding “Archives After Hours.”  At each event, archival staff will explain aspects of the archives that can be used to help you in your research.  This first Archives After Hours will focus on Sanborn maps. 

Did you know that we have 8 senses? We are all taught 5 of them repeatedly growing up, and that is because they help us with our perceptions of the world. Of those most commonly known five senses, though, our children are using them to grow and develop into bright learners ready to take on the challenges life throws at us as adults.

Winchester is a historic town, filled with old buildings and lots of stories.  It is important to preserve these sites for future generations, and historic preservation efforts play a vital role in continuing to tell the stories of the past.  

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:

Heraldry is the art of using hereditary symbols to distinguish individuals and groups.  We may know them more often as a family’s coat of arms.  Does your family have one?  Interested in the steps you take to find out?

What are “Tough Topics” for young adults? Challenging topics that occur during young adulthood and can be hard to discuss and hard to understand

Tough Topics include: abortion, pregnancy, abuse, dating, sex, self-harm, bullying, addiction, cancer, grief, mental health and illness, eating disorders, racism, sexual identity and orientation, rape, suicide, homelessness, incarceration, and more

Having a family member living with dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or another form of memory loss can be confusing for children to understand and cope with. Family dynamics may need to change to help care for the family member, and it’s normal for kids to experience a wide array of emotions. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can really help make sense of everything, and books are one of the best ways we can learn more about people and situations we relate to.

Our teen book spotlight this week is focused on books that have recently been added to our collection meaning they are new!!!!  New books are the best; they have a new book smell and there is just something about being one of the first people to read it.  We are featuring some amazing fiction this time in

Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is focused on  books that have recently been added to our collection meaning they are new!!!!  New books are the best; they have a new book smell and there is just something about being one of the first people to read it.  There is a great mix of fiction and

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. 

Have you checked out any of these popular library selections?

All materials are available through our catalog. Put it on hold if it's unavailable, and we'll call you when it's here!

This year Give Kids a Smile Day is February 2.  What better way to put a smile on a kid's face than a hilarious book.  Here is just a sample of the funny books you can find in our system that are sure to put a smile on their face and yours too.  You can find even more humorous books for all ages HERE.

How many times a day do you have to tell your child to “focus”? I know as an adult, that I have to remind myself to focus on a menial task daily.

Did you know that you can stream or download lots of great Young Adult audiobooks for free on Hoopla with your library card?

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, phone, or TV.  

Check out these titles and find many more on Hoopla!

(Summaries provided by Hoopla)

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!

The Handley Regional Library System is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new, permanent StoryWalk® around the picturesque lake adjacent to Bowman Library. This exciting initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge, Winchester, and Frederick County Parks and Recreation.

 Around the age of 3 ½ we start to see our child’s creativity and imagination bloom. Just like the snow we are (hopefully) seeing in our area right now, each child is unique and different from their siblings and peers. Your child has learned through curiosity and now they are utilizing some of their senses and that curiosity in a way that brings magic and imagination into the world –and with it comes the inevitable pushing of our boundaries.

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?

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

Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that are some of my favorite reads of 2023!!!

Our teen book spotlight this week is on books that are some of my favorite reads of 2023!!!