Blog Entries

Winchester, VA — The Handley Regional Library System is proud to announce the impressive statistics from the 2023-2024 fiscal year, underscoring its vital role in the community and its ongoing commitment to providing accessible resources and services to patrons of all ages.

Over the past year, the Handley Regional Library System's three locations—Handley Library, Bowman Library, and Clarke County Library—welcomed 365,992 visitors, reflecting the vibrant engagement with our libraries. Key highlights from the year include:

Historical Fiction

Discover quick listen historical fiction favorites that explore the complexity of the human condition, like The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, on @hoopladigital. https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/5558

Mystery

The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives is happy to announce a new database to help family researchers: American Ancestors.  From the New England Genealogical Society, this search engine provides access to 1.4 billion+ searchable records from the US and around the world.  Our membership also allows patrons to have access to the American Ancestors magazine and the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, two of genealogy’s leading print publications. 

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.

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

Confidence starts with the caretaker. We are our young's first teacher and mentor. We model behavior and many other things to our children daily. Confidence can be hard even for adults, because of all the different situations we are exposed to--breastfeeding, conflict, new situations, work, etc. And although everyone can't always be confident all the time, we can try to assert ourselves consistently to lay boundaries and advocate for ourselves.

Regulating our emotions can be a very daunting thing. Now imagine being a child and doing it. Our brains are not fully developed until about 25 years old, because our prefrontal cortex is still figuring our the decision making piece, and emotions are heavily tied into that. But much of that is started in the early years. You can help your kiddo figure things out by setting them up for success with emotional intelligence.

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.

Problem solving is something parents/caregivers are faced with numerous times everyday. Even things as simple as questioning 'what am I cooking for dinner?' 'Do I have all the ingredients?' 'Now what?' Each of these questions from one simple task of cooking a meal to actually feeding our kids (and ourselves) count towards solving problems. All of these questions are part of our organizing and planning, then initiating system--executive functioning.

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:

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.