Programs and Events - Main Library

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

Events

Extreme Couponing

Join couponing professional Stacy Raffo as she teaches attendees how to maximize their coupons and pay little to no money for their weekly grocery bill. You'll learn how to set up a coupon binder, combine store sales with coupons, and take advantage of online couponing. The class will be held in both meeting rooms on February 28th from 5pm - 7pm.

eBook Training

Excited about eBooks from the library, but having a little trouble getting set up? Stop by on January 28th between 9:30am - 3:30pm. Appointments are one-on-one and will be on a first-come first-served basis. Bring your e-reader or laptop and someone will walk you through the steps for accessing and downloading our library of eBooks.

Mango Day

Mango is a language learning program teaching practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world's most popular languages. To celebrate our parternership with Mango Languages and to involve patrons with this service, we are holding a "Mango Day" on Tuesday February 28th from 10am - 3pm. Visitors will have the option to sign up for Mango Languages to win prizes and have snacks. Everyone is welcome to come and ask questions about this wonderful free service.

Rummage Sale

The Raleigh County Library is raising money to help increase and enhance our Young Adult programming! Join us Friday, February 24th from 9am - 2pm for our annual rummage sale. Help raise funds to make young adults be more welcomed at the library and find yourself a treasure that needs a new home.

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.

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.

Get Hooked at the Library

Starting Thursday, January 26th, our patrons are invited to "Get Hooked at the Library" and attend our beginning crochet group on the 2nd AND 4th Thursdays of every month. Initial supplies will be provided by the library, and individuals of all skill levels are welcome. Whether you're a crocheting pro or have never held a crochet hook, come learn and enjoy each others' company. Meetings will be held between 4:30 - 5:30. Hope to see you here!

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.

'Appy Hour

If you use a cell phone or are interested in learning about cell phones and smartphone technology, come to the new 'Appy Hour program. Each month a new application will be featured. Share your favorite "apps" with other participants. This program is suitable for all ages and is not limited to any one type or brand of phone. The program is free and open to the public.

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.

The Writer's Group is not currently active- meetings will resume in May 2012.

Youth Programs and Events

Hearts & Crafts

To celebrate Valentine's Day, parents are invited to bring their children ages 3 and up to the library to have Valentine's snacks and make a present for their parents. Children will be making a photo frame, and will be able to have a photo taken to put inside. Valentine's Day books will be available to read aloud or to check out. Everyone is welcome to stop in at any time between 1-3pm on Saturday, February 11th.

Meet Marie-Grace and Cecile: American Girls

Meet Marie-Grace and Cecile, the 2 newest American Girls who live in New Orleans in 1853. Join us Saturday, February 18th from 1-3pm. Taste French food, attend a costume ball, make a Mardi Gras mask, experience the Opera and Jazz. Bring your doll for show and tell and present her to be Queen of the Mardi Gras by election. Eat Kings Cake and learn games that Marie-Grace and Cecile play. This program is open for children 7-18 and registration is required by February 10th. You can register in person, over the phone, or by emailing mitchem1@raleigh.lib.wv.us.

Wii Play @ the Library

Come hang out at the library and play with us! We are having another day to stop in and play the Wii in March. Anyone 5 and up will be able to come and enjoy a game of Mario Party 9! Keep watching for updated information about the date and time.

Young Adult Book Club

RCPL is starting a Young Adult Book Club! We will be discussing a popular and/or award-winning YA book each month, and anyone ages 13 and up are welcome. Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month. Each discussion will last approximately an hour, and light snacks will be provided. Challenges are issued each month for prizes to be given out the following month. Each month's books are available at the circulation desk a month in advance. Upcoming meetings can be found on the main library's calendar.

Cozy Corner

Cozy Corner is a weekly reading program for 3-5 year olds that takes place Wednesdays at 10 a.m. It runs in blocks throughout the year: January - March; April - June; 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.

Talk to your child about coming to story time at the library
Remind them that they can talk and play but to please not yell or run, we don't want them hurt
Please sign yourself and your child up for a library card and check out books each week
If you or your child are just having a bad day, it's okay to leave story time early
Snacks will sometimes make an appearance, talk to us about any allergies

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 3-6 and 6-12. 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. The Summer Reading Program is currently not in session, but check back this spring for updates!