13 Reasons to Visit your Local WV Library

Reading is the gateway to more.

“The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more you grow”.

Benefits of Reading & Why Your Kids Need to Go to the Library

West Virginia is home to 172 Public Libraries.

All 55 counties have at least one library.

The History of Libraries in WV.

West Virginia is the least educated state in America for 2024

Children with access to 25 books at home complete an average of 2 or more years of school than Children from homes without any books.

Discover your local Library: 13 Reasons why you should visit.

Buy Less. Create Read more.

Read me a Story!

Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a LIBRARY CARD!

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
Andrew Carnegie

Growing up, a child in the 90’s. Near Romney, WV. I can still remember the brown color scheme of the Hampshire County Library. Open the front doors, run to the very back. In the back was the children’s section. It was my happy place.

In my younger years; my favorite book was probably The Little Red Hen.

Why is Reading at Home Important?

Check out those books!

One of my most checked-out books; that I absolutely loved. Children Just Like Me by Dorling Kindersley. Or any Dorling Kindersley, really. I enjoyed non-fiction learning books from a young age.

I grew older, climbed up the reading ranks. My tastes changed. By the age of 10, I enjoyed Judy Blume, Little House on the Prarie. I really enjoyed the Sweet Valley Girls series. The library had an abundance of them!

I enlisted in Summer Reading Programs. I remember winning second place in the Burlington Library reading program. The library hosted a yearly Summer picnic. They had story time. Even a diet club!

A Library is such a valuable asset to the community. IYKYK! And for those that don’t...

13 Reasons why you should visit your local WV Library

Find your local WV Library!

WV Library Directory

1. Community

WV Library Fact:
The Kanawha Public Library is the largest library in WV. It has FOUR floors!

A library is more than “just books”. Walk into the doors; you’re welcome here. It’s a place to go. Smell that smell. Receive a warm welcome. Linger as long as you’d like. Inside those doors; it’s peaceful, calm, and everyone is so nice. A good librarian is a great friend.

2. Books

Book Fact:
If you enjoy the smell of old books,
you have “Bibliosmia”

This one is pretty dang obvious. It’s a COLLECTION! Arranged, categorized, and alphabetized. On the shelves; ready to read. Every topic you could imagine. There’s so many. And it’s all FREE! And you can borrow as much as you’d like!

3. DVDs and Blu-Ray

Blockbuster Fact:
The last Blockbuster *still* operating today is located in Bend, OR

OK, so.. Blockbuster doesn’t exist anymore. Nor do the generic video store chains, like Movie Gallery. Teleport yourself back to 2002 and browse the titles. It’s a bit different than scrolling Netflix.

4. Don’t Spend Money on Books

Book Fact:
57% of books are not read to completion.

The average children’s book costs about $10. The average adult paperback costs around $17. Sure, you could go to Ollie’s or a thrift store. Most books at Ollie’s are under $5. Which makes it easy to grab a few.

5. Keep your Home Free of Clutter

Book Fact:
80% of American Families did not buy or read a book in the last year.

Books accumulate. It’s like that trip to Ollie’s. Now, where to put those books? Every object needs a place. And have you ever moved with books? They’re heavy and a pain to pack! The library system allows us to read more, with much much less.

6. Games and Puzzles

Our local Library has a collection of jigsaw puzzles and board games! Try something new for family game night. Put together a puzzle on a snowy day. You can have fun and games without spending a dime!

7. Borrow Toys

This is a new feature! Recently the WV Library system added toy boxes to borrow. Each toy box is labeled and themed. “Making Music”, “Cooking in the Kitchen”, “Camping Explorer”. Inside are toys, outfits, a book, and a list of activities.

8. LIBBY App (Audiobooks, too!)

Introvert Fact:
You can enjoy FREE books without ever leaving the house!

The WV Library system is partnered with LIBBY. Simply put in your library card number then browse MILLIONS of titles on the E-Reader. There’s also lots of audiobooks; including children’s audiobooks. Which are most excellent for Roadtrips.

9. Calming Corner

Library Sensory Rooms
Libraries across America are on a quest to create spaces for sensory play.

Cheat Lake Public Library recently carved out a corner of the Children’s Area. It is curtained off; with dim lighting. Walk around on the soft fuzzy rug. Rice bins, a giant bear, things to feel.

10. Playgroup, Story Time, Events

Check out the calendar at your local Library! Here in Monongalia County there are events just about daily (except Sundays) . Super cool events for all ages, in peer age groups. It’s a great way to make friends in your community with common interest! Or get the kids around “kids their age”.

Super cool FREE past events including;

Weekly Toddler Playgroup
Outdoor Preschool Story Time
Read to a Therapy Dog (5 to 12)
Glow in the Dark painting (Tweens)
Swiftie Party (Teens)
Lego Night (Families)
Chronicles of Yarnia (Adult Knitting and Crotcheting group)
Adult scrapbooking craft nights
Pool Parties, Picnics, and much more!

11. Vinyl Music (& ad-free Digital)

Bob Marley Fact:
Bob Marley’s son,
Ziggy Marley sang the Arthur Theme song.

Some libraries have multimedia including music! At the Morgantown location, you can borrow CD’s and vinyl records. Anyone can borrow digital music. Simply download the Hoopla App and put in your library card number. Ditch Spotify or Pandora, for FREE ad-free music.

12. Get Artsy and Crafty!

The library offers plenty of supplies for a craft project. Glue sticks, paper, confetti? The library has it all! Enjoy the afternoon working on something together. Or build Legos! You are always welcomed to spend time together here. The library is a safe place.

13. Computer and Internet Access

In today’s times; Computer and Internet access is important. At the Library; there’s computers to use for free! Or bring a laptop and use the Wi-Fi. Page printing services are cheapest at the library.

10¢ per Black and White copy.

25¢ per Color copy.