Blog Entries

     What do poetry, free, teens, finalists, the Winchester Book Gallery, deadlines, and the numbers, 1, 2, 5, and 500 all have in common? They all have to do with 1455's 1st Summer Literary Festival!

The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives Room will celebrate its fortieth birthday this year. The Archives first opened to researchers on June 30^th, 1979 with a small collection of published books and manuscripts related to the history of Winchester - Frederick County and the surrounding area.

One Book One Community announces the 2019 One Book as My Beloved World by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. 

The author was born on June 25, 1954, in the Bronx borough of New York City. She became the first Latina Supreme Court Justice on May 26, 2009.  Her memoir met the criteria for selection by the committee – has widespread appeal, is available in paperback and Spanish, and is currently in print.

The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives announces a unique book talk focused on connecting with your biological family through genealogy. Shannon Bennett & Brianne Kirkpatrick, authors and genetic genealogists, will present their new book, The DNA Guide for Adoptees:  How to use Genealogy and Genetics to Uncover Your Roots, on July 10^th at 6:30PM at Handley Library.

In preparation for the 40^th anniversary of the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives this Saturday, the City of Winchester has released an official proclamation!

Download and read the official proclamation here.

View the event on our calendar:  https://www.handleyregional.org/node/1521

Our video game collections has expanded to Handley Library!

Previously games were only physically available at Bowman Library, but the collection has expanded due to community interest. Popular Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Wii video games are included. You can also select games online to pick up from the library location of you choice in Berryville, Winchester, and Stephens City.

You're learning how important you are,
How important each person you see can be.
Discovering each one's specialty,
Is the most important learning.

~Mister Rogers from the song, "I'm Proud of You"

Our special presenters continue with Wildlife Ambassadors!  The show is on July 3^rd at 10:30AM and is free and open to the public. The ambassadors help audiences get up close and personal with amazing animals from around the world and learn about their habitats. The animals in the program are non-releasable wildlife, unwanted pets, and captive bred educational animals.

School may be out for summer, but learning doesn't have to stop!

In fact, it shouldn't.

Children who don't read during the summer can lose up to two months of learning by the time they return to school in the fall, according to the iREAD Reading Program. This loss is referred to as the "summer slide."

Welcome Middle and High School writers. Let's Camp-Out at the Library!

We celebrate July as Writing Month at Bowman Library by setting up camp, getting out the composition supplies and writing. It is a time to relax and write our best stuff yet. Short stories, novels, poems, comic strips are all welcome as we sit around camp and inspire one another.

Music and storytimes may just be the perfect early literacy match!

Handley Regional Library System, in partnership with the Friends of the Handley Regional Library, announce the Summer Used Book Sale at Bowman Library.  The sale runs June 27-29 and features thousands of gently books, DVDs, sheet music, and more. Prices are between $2.00 and 50 cents. Payment is accepted in cash, check or credit card.  Inventory is restocked daily so you can shop all 3 days.   Donations cannot be accepted the sale.  The hours are the same as Bowman Library; June 27 10AM-8PM and June 28 and 29 10AM-5PM.

Handley Regional Library System, in partnership with Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference, announces Rockin’ the Library on June 24^th at Handley Library from 5PM-7PM. The event is being held on Braddock Street outside Handley Library.

1455 A Place for Writers (new name for VCLA) Author Series at Handley Regional Library continues with Cliff Garstang, who will read from his latest book The Shaman of Turtle Valley.  The program will take place on June 22 at 3PM and is free and open to the public. Founding 1455 Director Sean Murphy will discuss the process of writing this book, the contemporary literary scene, followed by an open Q&A.

It's time to de-clutter and support your library!

The next book-drop off date as June 22 at 9AM-12PM.  The community can donate gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and sheet music.  All items donated will be part of the Summer Used Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Handley Regional Library.  Volunteers will be onsite to assist unloading.