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 "Children" group
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
This event is in the "Elementary: 6-11 Years" group
This event is in the "Tweens: 10-12 Years" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Seniors" group
This event is in the "All Ages" group

America 250 Reading Challenge

All Day 1/1–12/31
Children, Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens, Adults, Family, Seniors, All Ages
Beanstack
Virtual Event
Library Branch: Beanstack
Age Group: Children, Babies: 0-18 Months, Toddlers: 18-36 Months, Pre-K: 3-5 Years, Elementary: 6-11 Years, Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens, Adults, Family, Seniors, All Ages
Program Type: America 250, Reading Challenge, Virtual Events
Event Details:

Celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026 with the library in the best way we know how - by reading! Read a book that matches our America 250 theme every month and earn a virtual Beanstack badge.

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.

This event is in the "Babies: 0-18 Months" group

Baby and Me Storytime

10:00am–10:30am
Babies: 0-18 Months
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Main 406/407 John L. and Maude Dickinson Room
Age Group: Babies: 0-18 Months
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

An interactive program featuring books, songs, tickle rhymes, knee bounces, and more!

 
 
 
This event is in the "Babies: 0-18 Months" group

Baby Playgroup

10:30am–11:00am
Babies: 0-18 Months
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Main 406/407 John L. and Maude Dickinson Room
Age Group: Babies: 0-18 Months
Program Type: Playgroups
Event Details:

Informal playgroup to encourage play and social interaction between parents, caregivers, babies, and toddlers.

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.

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.

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

HallowSPRING Haunted Birdhouses

3:00pm–5:00pm
Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens
Cross Lanes Branch Library
Closed
Registration Required
Library Branch: Cross Lanes Branch Library
Room: Cross Lanes Meeting Room
Age Group: Tweens: 10-12 Years, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Holiday, STEM
Registration Required
Event Details:

Are you more of an autumn type of teen than a spring type of teen? You're in luck! Ages 12-18 can drop into the library to enjoy gluing together, painting, and decorating their very own Haunted Birdhouse for HallowSPRING.

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.

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.

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.