I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. ~Jorge Luis Borges

Programs and Events - Main Library


Here you can find more information on the groups and events happening at the main library!


Events



Programs



Youth Programs and Events



Events


Book Sale

The Beckley Friends of the Library holds a book sale twice a year in order to raise funds for library projects and programs. They accept donations of books throughout the year, which can be dropped off at the main library. Each book sale spans a week, and is held downstairs at the main library, in both conference rooms. Members of the Friends of the Library group can browse books a day before the sale begins for the public. The dates for the next book sales can be found on the main library's calendar.


Classic Movie Afternoon

Theater too expensive? New movies too dull? How about a classic that never gets old? FREE! Join us for our Classic Movie Afternoon and enjoy a free movie, complete with popcorn and a drink! See our calendar for monthly titles.


Author Visit - Michael Abraham

Author Michael Abraham will join us for two book reading/signing events on May 21st. The first will be at Main at 3pm, and the second will be at Shady at 6pm.

Mr. Abraham is from Blacksburg, Virginia, and explores our region in his fascinating and varied stories. He has written 4 books thus far, the latest of which is "Providence, VA", published in April of last year. His third novel, "Harmonic Highways", was nominated for the 15th Annual Library of Virginia Literary Award. You can check out his website here.


Potluck - A Delicious Performance of Songs and Stories

What is POTLUCK? It's a feast of stories, songs, and poems that will satisfy your soul, life your heart, and tickle your funny bone. Karen Vuranch, Julie Adams, and Colleen Anderson have gathered their very best and very favorite pieces about cookery and community - and the connections between them - into a performance that's full to the brim with laughter and love.

Join us at the Raleigh County Public Library on Thursday, May 16th from 6pm - 8pm to welcome these three renowned performers. Karen Vuranch, who has been called West Virginia's First Lady of Storytelling, tours throughout the U.S. and internationally. Julie Adams is a singer/songwriter and, since 1983, featured vocalist for the internationally syndicated public radio show Mountain Stage, which is heard across the US and on Voice of America. Colleen Anderson is a writer, designer, and songwriter whose work has been published by Redbook and Arts & Letters, among others; her songs have been also been featured on Mountain Stage and The Folk Sampler.


Tea @ 2

Join us for tea and cookies at 2pm on Thursday May 23rd. Wear fancy hats, chat with your friends, discuss books (or movies and TV - Downton Abbey, anyone?), and enjoy a delicious cup of tea! We'll be trading off with the Shady Spring Branch for this event - their first one is on April 19th!


Groundbreaking Reads: Adult/Teen Summer Reading

New this summer! Why should kids get to have all the fun? Celebrate summer reading with us at the library for the chance to win great prizes, enjoy some good books, and encourage the children (and adults!) in your life to read.

Adults and Teens are invited to sign up for Groundbreaking Reads, which runs from June 11th to August 1st. We'll have crafty stuff for you to do, fun classes to attend, and a party at the end! Registration begins May 1st. Pamphlets with more information are coming soon, but while you wait, have a look at the special Summer Reading Classes we have scheduled:


Programs


Friends of the Library

The Raleigh County Friends of the Library-Beckley Branch meets the first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Adult Learning Room at the main library. Each one-hour session focuses on the contribution of Friends to current library projects and programs. Our purpose is to promote public use of the library and appreciation of its value as a cultural and educational asset to the community. Members support the extension and improvement of all library services. All are welcome to join us in this endeavor. Membership brochures are available at the library.


Basic Computing

Conquer your computer! Get hands-on experience using a mouse/touchpad and keyboard while learning to personalize your settings and save your files. Learn how to properly shut down, reboot, and start up your computer, as well as how to troubleshoot minor issues like a frozen program.


Ask at the Reference Desk for more information or for the sign-up sheet to reserve your spot in the next class. Please note that space in each class is limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis. There will be a class every second Monday from 5 - 6p. Dates are available on the main library's calendar.


Next Step Computing

Refresh your memory of Basic Computing techniques, and then get ready for the Internet! Ask at the Reference Desk for more information or for the sign-up sheet to reserve your spot in the next class. Please note that space in each class is limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis. It's a good idea to attend Basic Computing first as the classes build on each other. However, if you're comfortable with the topics covered in that class, you can skip to this one.


Just the FAQs

Bring your Kindles, bring your Nooks, let's download some books!
Get answers to your eReader questions in our Just the FAQs sessions as we cover using WV Reads and eBooks. We'll begin with a short presentation on using WV Reads, and then spend the rest of the hour answering questions. Attendees without questions are welcome to come as well, to listen in on the conversation. Nook users must bring their own computers and USB chords if they need help downloading books. Dates are available on the main library's calendar.


The Budding Genealogist

Join us on the third Wednesday of each month for a new topic in genealogy, and get ready to grow your family tree! Check out our in-library bookmark for topics! Dates are available on the main library's calendar.


Talk It Up! Booktalk Group

Love to read? Want to share what you read with others? Join us for Talk It Up! and get others interested in your favorite books. Simply, pick out the book you want to share and sign up for your five minute session. Giving us the book title ahead of time lets us bring the library's copy downstairs for others to check out, and five minutes gives you just enough time to get someone else hooked.


Don't have a book to talk about? No problem - you can join us anyway and get some suggestions for your To-Be-Read pile! Meetings will be on the first Monday of each month from 6 - 7pm; directly after the Friends of the Library meeting. Dates are available on the main library's calendar.


Book Discussion Group

A Book Discussion Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Main Library throughout the year. Membership is free. Books are selected each November for the following year. Discussion leaders are volunteers from the membership. Books are available at the reference desk about one month prior to the discussions. If the book is an interlibrary loan, then there is a charge of $1.00 per book to defray postage costs. We attempt to obtain an adequate amount of each title selected, usually 12-15 copies. Click here for a listing of titles for the upcoming year. New members are welcome! Just pick up a copy of the book at the circulation desk and show up at the next meeting.


Read, Read, Read in 2013!

One of our New Year's Resolutions for 2013 is to read 100 books in a single year... think you can keep up with us? Sign up at the Reference Desk and let us know how many books you've read each month by filling out and returning our special "bookmarks". You can pick your own books to read, and any book counts, including graphic novels, anime, manga, picture books, and books read to siblings/children. We'll keep track on our poster, and if you meet your goal, you'll be eligible to win a prize at the end of the year!


But this isn't just for grown-ups! If you're 18 or younger, you can set your own goal for the year and be eligible to win a prize if you meet your goal. Teens, if you want to read 100, you can sign up for the grown-up version instead. Parents, if your child is too young to read on his/her own, you can set your own goal and read with them. Sign up and set your goals at the Children's Desk. Good luck, everybody!


Local Artist Showcase

Local artists are invited to showcase their art at the library! Each month an artist or art group can have their 2-Dimensional art or photography on display in the Assembly Room for public viewing. Interested artists will contact the Administrative Offices at (304) 255-0511 ext. 100 to determine room availability and suitability of the exhibit for the venue. Each artist will have the opportunity to schedule a special showing or opening for their exhibit, providing that it does not interfere with previously scheduled events. Each artist is responsible for providing compatible equipment to hang their art with our current display infrastructure (ie: having photographs already framed so that they can be attached to display wire).


We are always seeking artists for the upcoming months. Those interested are invited to call or visit the library at any point to discuss their proposed exhibit. We look forward to seeing the beautiful art that our local artists have created!


Chess Club

If you are interested in learning how to play chess, or have just been looking for others to play against, feel free to join the Chess Club every other Thursday at the main library. Registration is not necessary, just come join in if there is a meeting going on. Specific dates can be found on the main library's calendar.


Writer's Group

A Writer's Group meets every other Wednesday in the Adult Learning Conference Room at 3:00 p.m. A schedule for the meetings can be found on the main library's calendar. Writers are welcome to come share their essays and take part in writing exercises. There are no dues. Everyone is welcome. Click here for a sample writing.



Youth Programs and Events


Magic Tree House: Viking Party

Children ages 6 and up can sign up to attend our latest Magic Tree House Party on Saturday, April 27th from 1pm - 2:30pm. All Viking attendees will be able to: learn runes; grow a viking beard; make helmets, shields, and swords; build their ship; learn runes; learn Norse myths; and more! Registration begins March 25th, and only 45 spots are available, so make sure to sign up quickly!


Meet Saige: American Girl

Join us at the library on Saturday May 18th from 1pm - 2:30p to meet Saige, an American Girl. Children ages 6 and up are welcome to bring their doll and their creativity as they discover New Mexico. Children will: Create their Western look; design their own hot air balloon; and discover the hidden beauty of the desert. Space is limited to 58 attendees. Registration will begin in April.


After School Adventures

Kids ages 6 and up can stop in after school on Mondays and Tuesdays (between 2pm - 5pm) for "After School Adventures" at the library. From mysteries that take us around the world to wacky science experiments that are fun for everyone, each week will lead us on another adventure. On April 8th & 9th we will build a compass, follow the clues, and discover the treasure. April 15th & 16th will be the science of fireflies, building a firefly, and learning about luminosity. On February 25th & 26th we will explore the science of flight: build a plane, have an aerial obstacle course, and question helicopters vs. airplanes. No registration is required, just stop in Monday or Tuesday afternoons in February and join the adventure!


Toddler Time

We will be offering a toddler story time on Tuesdays at 10:30am. This story time is geared for babies from birth to 2 years. It will last 15 - 20 minutes followed by time for play. The program will offer finger games, songs, nursery rhymes, and together time for parents and their children. You can check the calendar for specific dates. Come make a memory with your baby at the library!


Cozy Corner

Cozy Corner is a weekly reading program for 3-5 year olds that takes place Tuesdays at 1pm, Wednesdays at 10 am and 1pm, and Thursdays at 10am. It runs in blocks throughout the year: February - April and September - December. Specific dates can be found on the main library's calendar. Pre-registration is required, so make sure to stop at the Children's desk to sign up.


Story time works to develop listening skills, fine motor skills, and encourages group participation through the use of interactive story telling, games and crafts. To make sure that your child's time with Cozy Corner is a happy one, please read the following requests.



We want everyone to have a good time with Cozy Corner and look forward to seeing you there!


Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program is a weekly reading program throughout the summer for two age groups: ages 3 - 7 and ages 7 - 12. There are multiple sessions that parents can sign up their children for: Tuesdays at 10am or 1pm, or Wednesdays at 10am or 1pm. Specific dates can be found on the main library's calendar, along with the details for each week. Pre-registration is requested but not required, and you can sign up at the children's desk beginning May 1st.
The theme for Summer 2013 is "Dig Into Reading"!



Phone: (304) 255-0511

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