Blog Entries

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. 

Welcome to our brand-new newsletter!

We created the Staff Picks Newsletter to showcase books and media hand-picked by our staff. During the month of February, I asked our staff members to tell me all about their favorites. This first installment has just that. I received a wide range of responses, including fiction, nonfiction, movies, TV series, and music. 

Great news! We are excited to announce that patrons now have access to all hoopla BingePasses! If you love digital entertainment, learning, and exploring new topics, this is your golden ticket to unlimited access—completely free with your library card.

Each year the Handley Regional Library System participates in the IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP). Recent changes from TFOP mean we're receiving fewer tax forms in print. Although the Internal Revenue Service is not able to supply libraries with the full range of printed tax forms, instruction booklets, and tax publications provided in the past, we will still be happy to assist you during this tax prep season. Library staff can assist with locating and printing online tax forms but are not able to give advice regarding the forms that you might need.

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

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, especially when traveling to a new country. Luckily, AtoZ World Travel, available in our eLibrary, makes it easier than ever to prepare for your journey! This incredible database offers comprehensive travel guides for 202 cities worldwide, covering everything from cultural etiquette to must-see attractions.

Here are five reasons why AtoZ World Travel should be your go-to travel resource:

We are excited to announce a NEW program series for caregivers with kids ages 1-3: Grow a Reader Playgroup. This 5-week interactive playgroup will feature educational components with outside professionals each week that will developmentally support your reader through learning and play. Community professionals based on each week's theme will provide passive education to support caregivers of littles ages 1-3.  

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.

The new year is here, and there’s no better time to explore the endless possibilities available at Handley Regional Library System! Our January to April 2025 Programming & Resource Guide is here to help you make the most of your library card and start the year off well.

Whether you’re looking to try something new, expand your knowledge, or stay active, the library has you covered:

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. 

Join us at Handley for our new Writers Group for adults, lead by Project Write!

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 

Are you ready for some thrilling updates? Handley Regional Library System has expanded our streaming video resource offerings, Kanopy, and there’s never been a better time to dive in!

What’s New?

Kanopy now offers access to over 30,000 new titles, including:

At Handley Regional Library System, we proudly serve as a cornerstone of knowledge, community, and innovation. Our mission is to empower individuals and enrich our region through access to resources, programs, and opportunities for all. But to continue this mission, we rely on the generous support of people like you.

Here are six compelling reasons to consider financially supporting Handley Regional Library System today:

Libby, the popular library reading app from OverDrive, is changing how people connect with books. If you haven’t tried reading with Libby through the Handley Regional Library System, now is the time! Here are 10 reasons why downloading Libby will be your best literary decision yet.

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.

Looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite magazines? With Magzter, you can access over 4,000 digital magazine titles for free through the Handley Regional Library System. Whether you're into lifestyle, tech, entertainment, or niche hobbies, there’s something for everyone—and in multiple languages!

Here are five reasons to start reading digital magazines today:

Here are two catalog search features that you might find useful- Subjects and Tags.

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!

A major thing that helps us in life is our executive functioning skills. Our executive functioning skills are essentially our ability to do planning, organization, and then follow through with that planning and organization by acting on it.

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

Check out @hoopladigital's quick-listen mystery, suspense, and thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat. https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/5552

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 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. 

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.

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

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.

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. 

The 2024/25 season will take us to all three branches! All performances begin at 12pm.

September 13, 2024 @ Bowman Library- Melodic Journeys with Cheryl Costello

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.

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:

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. 

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?

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!

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.

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!