Programs and Events - Main Library

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

Events

Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings

On May 10, 1933, university students across Nazi Germany burned thousands of books in an ominous "cleansing" of the "un-German spirit" from German culture. Writings by scores of German and foreign authors, including Helen Keller, Ernest Hemingway, and Sigmund Freud, were consumed in spectacularly staged bonfires. Americans quickly condemned the events as hostile to the spirit of democracy and the freedom of expression.

Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings explores how the book burnings became a potent symbol in America's battle against Nazism and why they continue to resonate with the public-in film, literature, and political discourse-to this day.

The Raleigh County Public Library has the honor to host this traveling exhibition produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum beginning on April 12th. The exhibition will be open to the public during normal library hours until June 10th, at which time the exhibition will travel to its next location. Come share this glimpse into our history during the exhibition's West Virginia debut.

eBook Training

The Beckley Library will be holding another series of eBook Training Sessions on Saturday, June 23rd. Starting at 9:30 am, there will be six 45 minute sessions in the meeting room downstairs. Appointments are not necessary; anyone interested in attending can just be downstairs at the beginning of the session they wish to attend. Session start times are: 9:30am, 10:15am, 11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm, 2pm, 2:45pm, and 3:30pm.

Meet the Author: Barbara Cozad

On Tuesday, May 22nd from 9am - 11am, come to the Raleigh County Public Library to meet author Barbara Cozad for a presentation, reading, and book signing. There will also be a drawing for a copy of one of her books! Don't miss your chance to meet another published WV author!

Barbara Cozad is only twenty-two years old...three times over, and is enjoying Ralph, her husband of forty-five years, and their golden years. They were born seven miles apart and raised in the beautiful hills of "almost heaven, West Virginia and now live on a country road in Mineral Wells. They enjoy life with a son, daughter, grandson, and granddaughter. Barbara is the author of two books. Pearls From Heaven was published in 2006, shortly after Ralph lost his job when the factory shut down. Laughter From Heaven - Celestial Chuckles From Children was released February 21st, 2012. Barbara says she's glad JESUS planned their retirement and not them themselves. As good as the first forty-five years have been, she says the last forty-five will be even better. Heaven is their final destination, ! and they purpose to go there laughing because JESUS has a sense of humor and saves the best for the last.

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

Our crochet class has been suspended for the summer, but starting in June we will begin a beginner's knitting class to take its place. Stay tuned for details!!

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

Mother's Day Tea

Come celebrate your mother at the library on Saturday, May 12 from 1p - 3p. Kids will have the chance to serve their mom tea & cookies, make her a Mother's Day gift, and fix her a special Mother's Day card. We'll also have a selection of books about moms ready, so that children can read Mother's Day stories to their mom or let her read to them!

Baby Lap-sit

Every other Friday at 11am, RCPL will be offering a baby lap-sit story time for babies 3 months of age to 2 years. It will last no longer than 30 minutes, and will offer finger games, songs, nursery rhymes, and together time for parents and their children. You can check the calendar if you lose track of which Friday the program will run. Come make a memory with your baby at the library!

Wii Play @ the Library

Anyone 5 and up will be able to come and enjoy a game on the Wii at the library! Parents will have to sign a permission slip first, but there is now a Wii in the YA section in the library that can be checked out and be played. As of right now we have these games available: Super Mario Bros., Mario Party 9, and MarioCart. Come play a game with us!

Meet Samantha: An American Girl

Meet Samantha Parkington, a 9-year old orphan living with her grandmother in 1904. Her days were filled with lace and play in the Victorian Era. She chose to be an active part of her world and make a difference for her friend Nellie.

We will walk in her shoes with a Victorian Tea -complete with cucumber sandwiches and Petit-Fours- and Victorian crafts such as tussie-mussies and samplers. We will play games she played, listen to Victorian music, play dress-up, and have a visit from the Hurdy Gurdy man with fresh ice cream on his cart.

This event will take place on Saturday May 19th from 1pm - 3pm. Attendance will be limited so you must RSVP by May 12th to reserve a spot. Call the Children's Dept. at (304) 255-0511 ext. 114 to reserve a spot.

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!