Closed on Friday, December 12

All branches will be closed on Friday, December 12, for our Staff Development Day. We are learning and growing to serve you better! We love our community so much! To make a donation to the library, please click here.

Get Curated Reading Suggestions on Selected Topics Sent Right to Your Inbox.

Learning Sprouts Here!

Free Programs, collections, and services

The Grow A Reader initiative at the Handley Library branch provides space to all families so that they can play, connect, and thrive as lifelong learners. 

 

Explore this collection of free resources, events, and book recommendations!

Being ready for school begins at birth with parents as a child's first teacher. Your library is here to support your child's early learning and development. With free programs, services, and collections to utilize, your library has everything you need to prepare your child for the start of school.

In Virginia, school readiness is defined as the capabilities of children, families, schools, and communities that work together to promote student success in kindergarten and beyond. Learn more about early learning state standards before entering kindergarten here.

Ask a staff member about our read and seed program and Grow A Reader Activity Cards

Join Our Grow a Reader Playgroup

Raising a kid can be hard work. Join this 5-week interactive playgroup for caregivers with kids ages 1-3. 

It's Never Too Early For A Library Card

Your library doesn't just have books. You and your little can check out toys, games, National Park passes, and digital resources!

We'll Be A Family Place Library

Family Place Libraries support parents and caregivers to help build a foundation for learning during the first years of life.

Check Out A Grab & Grow Kit Today

Each kit will include several books and a toy, game, or puzzle, as well as an activity sheet on how to play with your child- all on a theme!

Resources For 0-5

Just for Kids

Just for Kids logo

Just for Kids by Infobase is a fun and educational video streaming service that kids of all ages can enjoy! It’s packed with engaging content that’s both entertaining and suitable for young viewers.

If you're asked for a username and password, use:

  • Username: handleyPL
  • Password: digital
View Resource

Day by Day VA

Day by Day

Continue your at-home early literacy learning through this  family activity calendar with new suggestions every day for stories, songs, activities, and games! Esto también está disponible en Español.

View Resource

Find It Virginia Kids

Find It Virginia K-5 Logo

Find It Virginia Kids provides a carefully selected collection of trusted databases, engaging online learning tools, and digital reading materials—including e-books and audiobooks—specially designed for Virginia's youngest readers. Discover resources like MasterFile and Read It! for fun and educational content.

View Resource

Support Your Age 0-5 Reader

Upcoming Events For Children & Families

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group
This event is in the "Families" group

Dance Party

10:30am–11:00am
Children, Ages 0-5, Families
Handley Library
Library Branch: Handley Library
Room: HL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5, Families
Program Type: Music & Movement
Event Details:
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group

Baby Playtime at Bowman

11:00am–12:00pm
Ages 0-5
Bowman Library
Library Branch: Bowman Library
Room: BL Children's Room
Age Group: Ages 0-5
Program Type: Hangout, Music & Movement
Event Details:

Enjoy unstructured playtime with your baby as we bring out soft blocks, colorful balls and offer a sensory craft activity.

This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group

Baby Blocks

11:00am–12:00pm
Ages 0-5
Clarke County
Library Branch: Clarke County
Room: CCL Children's Area
Age Group: Ages 0-5
Program Type: Hangout, STEAM
Event Details:

Join us at Clarke County Library every Saturday at 11 am for an interactive and creative playtime just for toddlers! 

Introduce baby to new friends and the tactile experience of building with Duplo blocks sized just for small hands!

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group
This event is in the "Ages 6-11" group
This event is in the "Families" group

Lego Club

11:00am–12:00pm
Children, Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Handley Library
Library Branch: Handley Library
Room: HL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Program Type: STEAM
Event Details:
lego
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group
This event is in the "Families" group

Movie Saturdays at Bowman

1:00pm–3:00pm
Children, Ages 0-5, Families
Bowman Library
Library Branch: Bowman Library
Room: BL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5, Families
Program Type: Film, Hangout
Event Details:

IT'S SHOWTIME!

Join us for a family movie event complete with snacks and drinks to enjoy together.

Today's show is...The Nightmare Before Christmas

Disclaimer(s)

Library Consent Statement for Photography and Video

Programs, events, and daily happenings sponsored by Handley Regional Library System may be photographed or recorded.  Attendance at any sponsored program, event or general library use constitutes the consent of all attendees and the consent of the parents or legal guardians of any minor children in attendance, to the future broadcast, publication, and other use of photography or videos at the sole direction of Handley Regional Library System.

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group
This event is in the "Ages 6-11" group
This event is in the "Families" group

Paws for Reading

2:00pm–3:00pm
Children, Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Handley Library
Library Branch: Handley Library
Room: HL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5, Ages 6-11, Families
Event Details:
paws
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group

Preschool Playtime

10:30am–11:00am
Children, Ages 0-5
Handley Library
Library Branch: Handley Library
Room: HL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5
Event Details:

Lets Play!

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group

Baby Playtime

10:30am–11:00am
Children, Ages 0-5
Handley Library
Library Branch: Handley Library
Room: HL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5
Event Details:

Join us for Postpartum Doula led baby yoga, with Hunter from Soulshine Medecine Yoga!

This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group
This event is in the "Families" group

Storytime at Clarke!

11:00am–11:30am
Ages 0-5, Families
Clarke County
Library Branch: Clarke County
Room: CCL Children's Area
Age Group: Ages 0-5, Families
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Come to the Clarke County Library Children's Room for stories and fun! Miss Bonnie will share a new adventure with early readers and their families each week. All are welcome!

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Ages 0-5" group
This event is in the "Families" group

Trit Trot to Bowman--Baby Time

11:00am–11:30am
Children, Ages 0-5, Families
Bowman Library
Library Branch: Bowman Library
Room: BL Children's Room
Age Group: Children, Ages 0-5, Families
Program Type: Story Sharing, Music & Movement, Storytimes
Event Details:

Trit Trot to Bowman is an early literacy program for infants, 0-18 months, and their families and caregivers. Introduce your baby to the joys of books, language, movement, and music!

Disclaimer(s)

Library Consent Statement for Photography and Video

Programs, events, and daily happenings sponsored by Handley Regional Library System may be photographed or recorded.  Attendance at any sponsored program, event or general library use constitutes the consent of all attendees and the consent of the parents or legal guardians of any minor children in attendance, to the future broadcast, publication, and other use of photography or videos at the sole direction of Handley Regional Library System.

Photography Notification

While we do allow professional photography inside the property of Handley Regional Library System, we do ask that we are notified ahead of time of photoshoots at 540.662.9041 x 25.  Photography activities may be limited to specific areas due to reserved use and cannot impede any patron activity using the library. 

Kid's Blog

Handley Library Christmas Ornament from the Library Shop.

Storytime Break at the Handley Branch

Posted on:
Kaitlyn Roush

A few times a year the children’s department goes on a storytime break. But what does that mean for you? It means every April, August, and December we pause our daily storytimes to prepare for the upcoming season. Fear not, there are still plenty of things to do at the library during a storytime break! 

Each week, we will have a different themed playtime experience set up for you and your littles to explore during the usual storytime timeframe! Everything from gross motor play to music and art exploration. See the list of themes by week below:

 

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Poster. Title says Kids Digital Media. Subtitle says New Checkout Limit! Below are pictures of various kids dvds, read-alongs, and audiobooks.

Kids Digital Media

Posted on:
Sophie Garner
Looking for something to keep your family entertained during the holidays? Check out our digital media collections like our DVDs and Audiobooks! We recently removed the check-out limit on all of our DVDs (kids and adults), so browse to your heart’s desire. The new limit is the same as books– 100 per card. Keep reading for more information on our digital media collections and some recommendations!
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