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 "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.

I Spy: Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

All Day 1/20 - 1/25
Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years
St. Albans Branch Library
Library Branch: St. Albans Branch Library
Age Group: Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years
Program Type: I-Spy & Scavenger Hunts
Event Details:

Search the Children's Department for hidden pictures celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. If you find all five pictures you may choose a prize. Children 12 and under.

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.

This event is in the "Children" group.

MLK I Spy

All Day 1/21 - 1/25
Children
Cross Lanes Branch Library
Library Branch: Cross Lanes Branch Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: I-Spy & Scavenger Hunts
Event Details:

Learn about Martin Luther King Jr. while completing the weekly I Spy. Just pick up the MLK Jr. mini coloring book and find the hidden images inside the library. Take the book home with you to finish coloring it.

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

Tiny Tots 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:

Interactive program with books, songs, musical instruments, play and more!

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.

Jump into Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Elk Valley Branch Library
Library Branch: Elk Valley Branch Library
Room: Elk Valley Meeting Room A/B
Age Group: Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:

Storytime sessions are designed for children up to 5 years of age.  Children and their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and more.  Partner with us to begin fostering a love of reading and books in our youngest library patron

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.

Inclement Weather

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

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.

Storytime

10:30am - 11:00am
Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Cross Lanes Branch Library
Library Branch: Cross Lanes Branch Library
Room: Cross Lanes Meeting Room
Age Group: Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Get moving at this interactive storytime! Little ones will develop early literacy skills in a fun way with music, dancing, singing and stories. Storytime will be canceled in the event that Kanawha County Schools are closed.

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.

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.

Playgroup

11:00am - 11:30am
Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Cross Lanes Branch Library
Library Branch: Cross Lanes Branch Library
Room: Cross Lanes Meeting Room
Age Group: Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years
Program Type: Playgroups
Event Details:

Drop in to socialize with other families and play with toys reserved just for this age group. Parents supervise their children at this informal gathering.

Disclaimer(s)

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.

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.