Why we are here
With workers restoring the front of our building and the community restoring its daily routines, the Charles Town Library also took a step toward normalcy simply by opening its front doors. Some […]
A new chapter for Marcia Lance
You can inherit many things from your parents – hair color, shoe size, height – but Marcia Lance, a long-time integral part of the staff of Charles Town Library, has made it […]
The Charles Town Library is now open with limited capacity with early access for high-risk patrons
The Charles Town Library is now open with limited capacity, with early access – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. – for high-risk patrons Because of the need to social distance, the library […]
Summer Slide 2020 could be the scariest in years
In a normal year, as soon as school lets out for the summer, there is a drop in reading by most children. It’s not hard to understand. School is out, no homework, […]
A mixed bag of emotions for authors about their own books
A few thoughts from Sue: It may be hard to believe, but there are authors of very famous books that have come to resent their own creations. It is very hard to […]
Tim Time #3 – Sunshine, stories and Summer Reading
While the technical start of the season we call “Summer” doesn’t officially begin in the astronomical sense until June 21, the meteorological beginning of the season is June 1. Of course many […]
Sue’s Super Cool Read-Alikes for June
Have you ever caught yourself wishing that your favorite authors could be knocking out more titles quicker? We know Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Lee Child seem to drop books every few […]
hoopla added for digital access to more than 700,000 ebooks, audiobooks and movies
Need a book to read or listen to? Right now? Want to watch a movie? Right now? Well, you can. The Charles Town Library is now offering hoopla, an online service that […]
Find some shade and chill with these new titles for June
Don’t we need a little distraction right about now? Wow, 2020 has been quite the roller coaster of emotions, challenges and face masks. So, Sue has been scouring the reviews and has […]
Contact-free limited service to start Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Charles Town Library
Starting Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., the Charles Town Library will begin accepting holds on catalog items, including books, DVDs, and audiobooks. Library hours during this period are 10 a.m. […]
A new day at 200 East Washington Street
The walkway between Washington Street and the parking lot located between the library and the Charles Town Presbyterian Church is lined with pre-flowers – tight, green, skinny fists with thin slivers of […]
A Mother’s Day note from Miss Debbie
Are You My Mother? In the children’s classic, “Are you my mother?” by P. D. Eastman, Baby Bird goes on an adventure earnestly seeking his mother. A wide assortment of animals and […]
Tim Time – No. 2: Through it all, there is Mom
This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. It’s often a day of joy, hugs, gift-giving and barbecues. And lots of fried chicken consumption. I know this last fact to be exceptionally true because […]
Tim Time – No. 1: Baby, we were born to read…
Isn’t it something to realize there was a time in your life when you couldn’t read? When labels on boxes or cans in your kitchen just looked like jumbled jibberish. When signs […]
Sue’s Book Views – #4
I hope everyone is doing well and has plenty to read. I really miss Mondays at the library when our new books would be delivered. It was like a little bit of […]
Sue’s Book Views #3
Hello again from home. Here’s another great book I’ve had a chance to read. Everybody loves Daphne du Maurier’s famous book Rebecca. My Cousin Rachel by du Maurier is almost as good. Both main […]
Sue’s Book Views #2
It’s always good to have something to look forward to. Here is the first of a series about upcoming books we’ll have at the library. Also, scroll down for an excerpt from […]
Sue’s Book Views – #1
I have been having a great time reading while social distancing. I hope you are, too. Here are a couple of books I’ve read since I’ve been home and I think they […]
Library Update: March 23, 2020
The Charles Town Library ceases services temporarily,following the guidelines of the Governor’s Order Following the release of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s order of March 23, setting guidelines for the operation of […]
Online resources for all the free time we now have
THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED PERIODICALLY These are challenging times, both professionally and personally, for every family around the world. Historically, quarantine and isolation meant total exclusion from the activities of our […]
Charles Town Library Updates: Hours, Book Holds, Drop-offs, etc.
We want to provide as many services as possible while still providing a safe environment for our staff and our patrons.Our staff is available Monday through Friday by phone and through our […]
UPDATE: MARCH 15, 2020 – A message from the director of the Charles Town Library
UPDATE – MARCH 23, 2020 – EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY In light of continued precautions in Jefferson County to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, the Charles Town Library will be closed to the […]
June among the stacks
A Friday afternoon, a bit sleepy as the weather outside is deciding what it wants to be when it grows up. And inside, there is only the quiet tapping of computer users […]
Local activist to speak on International Women’s Day – March 7
Keryl Rustin, in celebration of International Women’s Day, will give a presentation, highlighting the significant contributions of women past and present, to empower women in the new decade. She will be speaking […]
Civil War books for sale
Whether you favor the Blue or the Gray, you’ll find something great in a batch of gently-used books about the Civil War we have put together here at the library. As with […]
A Blessing for the children of Dogtown
The Charles Town Library has existed for nearly 100 years. Like the people it has served for generations, its history has highs and lows, positive and negative events. We are documenting this history and recording, when we can, the voices of those who experienced it firsthand.
Animals to the rescue. Again.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse By Charlie Mackesy Published by HarperOne Rating: Four paws! There is no dog in this book, but for once, it is ok. The […]
Charles Town Library Events and Dates for January 2020
Winter Hours Mon., Wed., Fri.9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Tues., Thurs.9 a.m. – 6 p.m.Saturday9 a.m. – 1 p.m. January 20, Mon. – Library Closed – Martin Luther King Day January 21, Tues., […]
Shiloh and a Soggy Tale
Pudgy Paul and the Rainy Day By Megan France Four Paws (even though there are no dogs in the story) Let me tell you something – humans are funny critters. Take Pudgy […]
The greatest gifts
The stores have begun the assault. Stacks of pumpkins began sharing space with wreaths early this year as the retail machine rumbled into high holiday gear. But here at the library, we […]
Page Turner: Leading schools by the book
This month’s Page Turner is Bondy Shay Gibson, the superintendent of Jefferson County Schools. Beyond the traditional basics of reading, writing and math, the superintendent must be creative and nourish relationships with […]
November happenings at 200 E. Washington Street
The last couple of months are shaping up to be a busy time here in Charles Town. We have additions to Story Time, a great holiday event in early December, and of […]
Shiloh and a bear named Bruce
Bruce’s Big StormBy Ryan T. Higgins Shiloh’s Rating: Grrr, I guess Four Paws Bow wowser, I can’t tell you how hard it was to give this book Four Paws, and that’s not […]
So much better than a fruitcake
A gift worth giving For nearly 100 years, the Charles Town Library has been the community’s gateway to the literary, artistic and knowledge of the world. You can be a part of […]
An adventurous addition to Story Time
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 12, Mr. Tim will become the second of Charles Town Library’s storytellers. He will join the popular Miss Debbie who currently spins her tales on Monday, Thursday and every […]
Shiloh Goes to School
If I Built a School By Chris Van Dusen Shiloh’s Rating: Four paws and a tail wag! Before I tell you what I think of this book, let me just say that […]
Your library is…
With a chill wind outside bringing a new season to Charles Town, a group of people gathered Thursday night at 200 E. Washington Street – your library – to experience art in […]
Page Turners: Lessons from the 100-Acre Wood
Page Turners asks members of our community to reflect on the role books and reading have played in their life. This month’s Page Turners of Jefferson County is focusing on Brian Christopher, […]
Fall Schedule Change
Starting the first week of October, the Charles Town Library will be changing to our Fall and Winter hours. On Tuesday and Thursday, we will be closing at 6:00 p.m. With the […]
