An update from Sarah Skrobis, Director of Library Services
Last week, Staunton City Council officially designated $375,000 of the city's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds to replace the decades-old library roof. We're thrilled and grateful that a fix for the library's ongoing leak is on its way!
Also up for consideration as part of the city's FY2024 Capital Improvements Plan budget is $65,000 to conduct a new facility and space study. The library moved into this facility in the mid-1990s: almost 30 years ago! How do we move forward with library services in an aging building? Our staff and Library Advisory Board members want to better understand how we can improve our facility and the visitor experience. We hope the funds for the plan will be approved so that we can research and plan for the future, because the library is a popular and heavily used facility.
Did you know that you, the residents of this city, have historically used your public library more than the average Virginian? It's evident every day. For instance, the library was abuzz with activity this past Tuesday:
- We hosted our weekly Art Cart after school program for kids;
- 80 middle school students visited the library on field trips, and 45 of them got their first Staunton Public Library card;
- Staff from Central Shenandoah Health District conducted a REVIVE! opioid emergency response training and certified 10 new lay rescuers;
- The weekly drop-in Scrabble club met in the afternoon;
- and The Friends of the Staunton Library held their monthly meeting to brainstorm fundraising ideas and other ways to support the library.
That doesn't even include the 778 items checked out, the curbside pick-ups, the 225 holds that arrived, or staff helping people with Libby, microfilm, and computers. It was a whirlwind day, but that's just what we librarians like to see: thank you for using and supporting your local public library!
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Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room
 NYT bestselling author Jason Wright takes readers on a 1,000 mile road trip beside a grandfather, his grandson and their wise, old dog, Moses. Enjoy an uplifting story and refreshments. Full event information available on the Virginia Festival of the Book's website.
Presented with The Book Dragon and the Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Group of the Blue Ridge Writers Club. Festival Preview Events sponsored by Michelle and David Baldacci.
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Sign up for Wowbrary to receive an email every Wednesday morning that features the library's newest titles. Be among the first to know what just hit the shelves! Or create a custom alert to find out when your favorite author publishes something new.
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Browse the most recent releases:
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Events sponsored by the Staunton Public Library are open to all and offered at no charge. The Library welcomes people of all abilities. Please alert us at least five business days in advance if there is a need for accommodation.
Food may be served during some library programs; contact us if you have questions or concerns.
Library events may be photographed and recorded for promotional materials for the City of Staunton and City-approved third parties.
For more information or assistance, please call 540.332.3902 or email us at library@ci.staunton.va.us.
Events for Adults
True Crime Discussion Club: Thursday, March 2 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room. Discuss real-life cases, share recommendations, and more on the 1st Thursday of each month. Sponsored by the Friends of the Staunton Library. Ages 18+.
Intro to Genealogy Research with the Augusta County Genealogical Society: Saturdays, March 4 & 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room; advance registration required. Sign up in person or by phone or email. Join ACGS for a two-part introduction to genealogy work. Learn to trace your family using a variety of tools, records and other resources available to the family historian.
Wednesday Friendsday: Wednesday, March 15 from 2 - 2:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room. A new story-centered program for adults with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. On the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
REVIVE! Drop-In Office Hours Training with the Central Shenandoah Health District:
Thursday, March 23 at 4 p.m. on the 1st Floor. Take ten minutes! REVIVE! drop-in training teaches individuals how to respond to an opioid overdose emergency. After completing the training, participants earn a Lay Rescuer Certification card as well as a free box of Narcan to keep on hand in case of an emergency. Ages 16+.
March Moon Madness: Wednesday, March 29, 7 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room and out on the Library Lawn. Start the night with an interactive hands-on demonstration about at-home astronomy, then head outside with library telescopes to view the moon in its first quarter and explore constellations. Bring your own telescopes if you have them! Rain or shine. Ages 12+.
Escape Room: The Euphorigen Investigation: Saturday, April 1, 1 - 2 p.m. Meeting Room; registration required by March 29. Sign up online, in person, or by phone. Register as a group or individual. Solve this group puzzle! You have less than an hour to track down as much information as you can on the fictional brain-boosting drug Euphorigen to uncover the truth and spread the word! Adults and teens 14+.
Scrabble Club: Tuesdays at 3 p.m. on the 1st Floor. A weekly drop-in meet-up for Scrabble enthusiasts. Bring a friend or meet a new challenge partner. Game boards provided, but feel free to bring your own.
Adult Book Groups: Groups meet in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room except for Redbeard’s Readers. Monthly selections are available to pick up at the 1st Floor Desk.
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Afternoon Classics: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.
Monthly selections from classics to drama to contemporary fiction.
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Great Books: 1st Fridays, 2 p.m.
Featuring the Great Books program set up by the University of Chicago. Come join us and add your insight to the discussion.
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Redbeard’s Readers: 3rd Sundays, 3 p.m. at Redbeard Brewing Company, 120 S. Lewis Street. You go. Read books. Drink beer. A variety of fiction and nonfiction selections. Ages 21+.
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Teen Events
 Teen Book Club: March Madness Basketball Books: Tuesdays, March 14, 21 & 28, 4 - 5 p.m. in the YA Area. A new 3-week book club for teens! Choose from one of a dozen basketball-themed books at our first meeting, then meet the following two weeks to casually discuss what you've read. Options will include fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels and books in verse on a variety of reading levels. Plus giveaways, games and snacks!
Teen Anime Club: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 4 - 5 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room. Watch anime and eat snacks in this laid-back club for students in grades 6 - 12. Sponsored by the Friends of the Staunton Library.
Tween & Teen Chess Club: Fridays from 3:30 - 5 p.m. in the YA Area. For beginners and experts ages 8 - 18. Bring your own board or use one of ours.
Children's Events
Homeschool Hour: Thursday, March 2 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. Join us on the 1st Thursday of the month for a fun activity for homeschooling families with elementary-aged students! This month’s theme: Build the Tallest Tower!
After-School Adventures: Thursday, March 2 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. A fun project or activity – such as cooking, building, or crafting – for students in grades 3 - 5 after school on the 1st Thursday of each month. This month’s theme: Build the Tallest Tower!
Books & Barks: Wednesday, March 8 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. Enjoy pet-themed picture book read-alouds with our favorite furry visitors from local therapy dog groups! On the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Mother Goose Time: Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. A short interactive program for ages 0 - 2 and their caregivers featuring songs, rhymes, puppets, and board books.
Big Kid Books: Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. A fun interactive storytime for ages 3 - 5 and their caregivers featuring picture books, puppets, and songs.
Art Cart: Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. Kids ages 5 - 11 and their caregivers can join us to make masterpieces using a variety of art supplies, loose parts, and colorful baubles.
All Together Now: Fridays at 10:30 a.m. in the Ground Floor Program Room. Children ages 0 - 5 and their caregivers will have a blast with our giant-sized story books, cuddly puppets, and silly songs. No storytime on Friday, March 10.
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