Parents & Caregivers

Father helping young son draw with crayons

From free snacks and Wi-Fi hotspots, to reading programs and curated bags of board books, KCPL can connect parents and caregivers with a variety of library and community resources. 


Some of Our Services:

  • Events & Classes
  • Free Snacks from Backpack Blessings
  • Free Online Tutoring via Tutor.com
  • Streaming Services
  • Homeschooling Resources
  • Board Books for New Parents
  • Summer Library Club
  • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
  • ... and more!

 

Contact your local KCPL branch for more info.

 

Upcoming Events

TEENS: April Showers Take-and-Make

All Day 4/29 - 5/4
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Stop by the Teen Zone during the week of April 29th to pick up a DIY raincloud kit. Because you know what April showers bring, right?

Mental Grounding Bags- Mental Health Month

05/01/2024 @ 10:00am - 05/24/2024 @ 5:00pm
Dunbar Branch Library
Library Branch: Dunbar Branch Library
Age Group: Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens, Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Other
Event Details:

Stop in anytime in the month of May and ask for one of our Mental Grounding Bags in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. 

 

**limit to 1 per patron

Star Wars Children's I Spy

05/01/2024 @ 10:00am - 05/24/2024 @ 5:00pm
Dunbar Branch Library
Library Branch: Dunbar Branch Library
Age Group: Children, Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years
Program Type: I-Spy & Scavenger Hunts
Event Details:

Drop in anytime in May and try your hand at finding the Star Wars Characters hidden throughout the children's area. 

Take & Make a Kentucky Derby Horse

All Day 5/2 - 5/4
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Age Group: Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, STEM
Event Details:

Get ready for the fastest 2 minutes in sports! The 150th Kentucky Derby is May 4. Stop in Children's Services for a Take and Make bag with supplies and directions to make your own Derby horse at home. While supplies last. 

 

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org

Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Little Explorers Storytime

10:00am - 10:45am
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Main 406/407 John L. and Maude Dickenson Room
Age Group: Toddlers: 18-36 Months
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Enjoy books, songs and rhymes followed by a sensory play activity.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org

Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Photo & Video

We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.

ADULT I SPY CLASSIC BOOKS

05/02/2024 @ 10:00am - 05/24/2024 @ 5:00pm
Dunbar Branch Library
Library Branch: Dunbar Branch Library
Age Group: Teens, Adults, Seniors
Program Type: I-Spy & Scavenger Hunts
Event Details:

Come on in and join in an Adult I Spy where you look for Classic Books!   There are 8 book covers hidden all over the Main and Teen areas of the library.  Find them all and answer the question on the back of the sheet to get a prize

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org

Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.

Photo & Video

We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.  

Learn more about the Imagination Library and register your child online.

Register Now
Project OWL Graphics

Project OWL

Project OWL (Open Worlds of Learning) is an early literacy initiative developed by KCPL to connect babies and young children with books.

Parents and guardians can check out OWL bags pre-filled with a variety of engaging board books.

Call 304-343-4646 or stop by any KCPL branch library to sign up and check out an OWL bag for free.

View Brochure (PDF)
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Logo

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

We invite you to read 1,000 books with your child before kindergarten.

Click the button below to get started today.

Start Now
Scholastic Teachables

Scholastic Teachables

Scholastic Teachables is an online database of tens of thousands of searchable and printable educational materials.

Created by teachers and precisely leveled, our high‑quality, ready‑to‑use
resources support parents preparing kids for kindergarten readiness, homeschool teachers and learners from Pre‑K to grade 6, and young patrons who need extra skills practice.

Find Resources

Community Resources

Connect Child Care Resource & Referral

Determines eligibility for government-subsidized child care, recruits child care providers, and trains and educates child care providers.

Learn More

Health Right

The mission of WV Health Right is to provide quality medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and health education services to those who need help.

Learn More

Healthy Grandfamilies

Healthy Grandfamilies is a free initiative led by West Virginia State University to provide information and resources to grandparents who are raising one or more grandchildren.

Learn More

Kanawha County Schools

Kanawha County Schools (KCS) is the largest school system in West Virginia. The district serves over 28,000 students.

Learn More

Legal Aid of West Virginia

Provides civil legal services, behavioral health advocacy, and long-term care and eldercare legal assistance.

Learn More

Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Charleston Childcare and Learning Center, WV Birth to Three, WV Career Transition Services, and other programs.

Learn More

United Way 2-1-1

Find local information about food, shelter, emergency and disaster relief, employment and education opportunities, veteran services, health.

Learn More

Women's Health Center of West Virginia

Non-profit health center providing the full range of women's reproductive health services and gynecological care

Learn More

WV Home Educators Association

A local nonprofit organization providing homeschooling support to families. Toll-free information line - 1-800-736-9843.

Learn More