Featured poets in honor of National Poetry Month
In recognition of April as National Poetry Month, the Charles Town Library will be featuring a different poet each week. Be sure to stop by our poetry display near the circulation desk […]
Join us for an author talk with Ginny Fite
Join the Charles Town Library for an author talk with Jefferson County writer Ginny Fite, highlighting her new book! Ginny Fite is an award-winning journalist and author of eight traditionally published novels, […]
A focus on authors during Women’s History Month
Of the millions of women who have made a mark, not only in this country, but in world history, we are narrowing the focus a bit by introducing the life and work […]
The literary work and lives of African Americans
The month of February is when the nation’s attention is focused on the lives, work and history of Black people in the United States. Obviously, the hundreds of years of history – […]
Storytimes, Drama, Yoga and a Special Guest Storytime
This week: Special Tuesday event: March 19 @ 4 p.m..: Local teacher Storme Shiley Frame will bring her storytelling skills to the library and share her particular life experiences and a couple […]
Using the library is a great financial decision
Everything you check out from the Charles Town Library not only entertains or informs, it also is a great boon to your financial health. Here are the basics: – we do not […]
A commitment to continued early reading essential to later successes
It is clear that the number of digital distractions for young people have exploded as apps, handheld games and other online attractions fight for attention. But what is the impact on the […]
Shields Green and John Brown: a tale not often told
Shields Green was born circa 1836 in South Carolina, either as an escaped enslaved person or as a born freeman. He was known as a good shot, a person of few words, […]
Aliya, Emily and Blake. Library BFFs
The three girls sat on an orange mid-century modern love seat older than their parents. They laughed, read books, giggled and made memories in the children’s section of their library. The personalities […]
He wore many hats during his long career
Hamilton Hatter, a noted and celebrated African American educator, school administrator, and politician was born and raised in Jefferson County. He made his mark not only politically and academically, but also as […]
The illustrated life of a children’s librarian
Louise Payson Latimer, one of the most celebrated children’s librarians in the United States, was actually a born and raised Jefferson Countian. Known for her special attention paid to illustrations found within […]
A wonderful West Virginia author who lived a very colorful life
Please visit our lobby display which highlights the work and life of Julia Davis, whose life was as interesting as the books she wrote. Julia Davis was born Anna Kennedy Davis on […]
Banning books is not a new thing
For the month of September, the Charles Town Library is focusing a lens on banned books, the practice of banning books in the United States, and a bit about the history of […]
How a former enslaved youth from Charles Town became WV’s first black attorney
John H. Hill was born enslaved in Charles Town, Virginia on July 4th, 1852. Over the course of his life, he would rise to be the first African American attorney admitted to […]
F. Scott’s adventure in Charles Town
Over a century ago, F. Scott Fitzgerald, who would become famous for his novels The Great Gatsby, The Beautiful and the Damned, This Side of Paradise, and others, set foot in Charles […]
First steps to beating the sweets on your own
The Charles Town Library has been partnering with WVU Medicine to bring more awareness and solutions to those in our community who suffer from the effects of Type 2 Diabetes. The Center […]
A book of memories, of life and death
When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968, Brian Ellis was a 10-year-old boy living in Niagara Falls, New York. To capture the time and help understand what was going […]
A longtime resident shares his stories
Born in the 1930s, George Rutherford has lived in two towns, Charles Town and Dog Town, but both occupy the same geographical location. A number of neighborhoods which were populated primarily by […]
Reading challenges – so good for you!
Audry Fryer, a writer in Pennsylvania, is very clear about one thing, well, actually 22 things. And all of them focus on the idea that reading challenges are important in many ways. […]
Keeping a dream alive through knowledge
The Charles Town Library’s building is closed to the public on Monday, Jan. 16, the day the government has designated as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There is however, an enormous number […]
Looking for something? Search us
Three days into 2023 and we are hoping to bring more of our Jefferson County friends to the library, both in person and online. Since the early 1900s, the library has changed […]
Dorian’s first visit to the library
On his 15th day on the planet, Dorian made the first of what hopefully will be many visits to the Charles Town Library. His parents, Caitlin and Kevin, of Ranson, visited us […]
Be a part of our 2023
It seems that during the last couple of years, New Years Day has become even more than a time for reflection, but a time to look forward, to better times. We hope […]
Holiday shopping that spreads cheer to many
Items now available from the Charles Town Library to supplement your holiday shopping. Large Jefferson County mug displaying historic and geographic features: a $15 donation. Charles Town Library “fREADom” canvas book bag, […]
A small card that is a key, a ticket, and so much more
September is Library Card Month, celebrate at 200 E. Washington Street A library card is a small rectangle of plastic like an airplane ticket is a slip of paper or a key […]
A place to meet, sing, have fun and grow a community
If having a case of the “Mondays” means sitting with friends, reading fun books, singing, laughing and staying cool, then, yes, we at the Charles Town Library had a great, big case […]
Looking for some new picture books for your little readers?
100 Great Picks! Here they all are
Every day, our staff suggests a book, audiobook, e-book, film or piece of music that has caught their collective eye. In the Charles Town Library, we have been assembling new items and […]
It’s all about the pets for Miss Julie’s Story Time
Do you have somewhere better to be at 4:00 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 18, than sitting in the warmth with Miss Julie? Story Time about pets. You can’t top that, right? Miss […]
Are we that different than big city readers?
Recently, the New York Public Library released its list of books most frequently checked out by its patrons during 2020. They compiled the information into different categories, e.g. Young Adult, Childrens, International, […]
A reading program for adults! With prizes!!
We have a new program for adults who love to read – a chance to expand your horizons, try something new, or stick with beloved favorites. Beginning August 21, all adult Charles […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]