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

This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Melt and pour soap

11:00am - 12:00pm
Teens, Adults
Cross Lanes Branch Library
Closed
Registration
Library Branch: Cross Lanes Branch Library
Room: Cross Lanes Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

Create a luxurious treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for someone else in this beginner's soap-making class. We will be using the melt-and-pour method to create your soap.

Disclaimer(s)

Inclement Weather

All programs are subject to rescheduling or cancellation in the event of inclement weather.

This event is in the "Tweens: 10-12 Years" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Ornament Making

1:00pm - 2:30pm
Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens
Sissonville Branch Library
Library Branch: Sissonville Branch Library
Room: Sissonville Meeting Room
Age Group: Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Do you need a last minute gift for a family member or friend? Why not make them one! Homemade gifts really come from the heart. Join us for an evening of crafting and making ornaments. Tell a friend or bring a friend!!!

This event is in the "Pre-K: 3-5 Years" group.
This event is in the "Elementary: 6-11 Years" group.
This event is in the "Tweens: 10-12 Years" group.

Family STEM: Build a Gingerbread House

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years
Main Library
Closed
Registration
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Main 406/407 John L. and Maude Dickenson Room
Age Group: Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday, STEM
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

Register children ages 3-12 to design and build a gingerbread house with the family. We provide the supplies; bring your creativity! 

 

Disclaimer(s)

Registration Required

Registration for this program is required due to limited space and materials. If you cannot attend, please call the library to cancel your registration so the spot may open up to others. A registration will be cancelled and a program spot made available to other patrons if the registrant does not arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled program time.

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.

This event is in the "Babies: 0-18 Months" group.
This event is in the "Toddlers: 18-36 Months" group.
This event is in the "Pre-K: 3-5 Years" group.

Tots Storytime and Playgroup

10:30am - 11:30am
Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Sissonville Branch Library
Library Branch: Sissonville Branch Library
Room: Sissonville Meeting Room
Age Group: Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Program Type: Playgroups, Storytimes
Event Details:

Join us for a themed story time and craft. Stay after and let your little ones play during playgroup.

This event is in the "Toddlers: 18-36 Months" group.

Little Explorers Storytime

10:00am - 10:45am
Toddlers: 18-36 Months
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.

This event is in the "Teens" group.

TEENS: Anime Club!

2:00pm - 4:00pm
Teens
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Movies & Performances
Event Details:

Join us in the Teen Zone for this month's Anime Club! Celebrate the start of spring with a water-themed anime, snacks, and a craft!

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.

Inclement Weather

All programs are subject to rescheduling or cancellation in the event of inclement weather.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Health Right

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

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.

Kanawha County Schools

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

Legal Aid of West Virginia

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

Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center

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

United Way 2-1-1

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

Women's Health Center of West Virginia

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

WV Home Educators Association

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