A Fresh Start and a Big Year Ahead for Our Library Community
Looking Ahead: Book Moving and Party Planning!
January is an exciting time for the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library as we prepare for the library’s reopening and the celebration ahead. From helping move books to supporting plans for the ribbon cutting and reception, there are many ways to get involved during this busy month. Whether you lend a hand or simply spend time with fellow Friends, your participation helps the library shine.
👉 Read the full article to find out how to volunteer
Preparing for Reopening: Updates from MBCPL
As the Martinsburg Public Library prepares for reopening, the MBCPL team has been working behind the scenes to ready the space with the help of dedicated volunteers. We’re excited to welcome back many favorite programs, including story times, book discussions, adult crafts, and exercise classes, with more to come. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we move closer to opening day together.
👉 Read the full update from MBCPL
FOMPL in the Community: December Highlights & Helping Hands
December was a season of connection and service for the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library. Throughout the month, our members and volunteers showed up in meaningful ways to support both the library and our neighbors.
🎄 At Christmas on Main in Martinsburg, the Friends shared hot cocoa, candy canes, and children’s activity books at the Library Plaza. It was a joyful afternoon filled with smiles, warm drinks, and conversations with community members of all ages.
📚 Behind the scenes, Friends members also worked alongside library staff to move books and shelving so new flooring could be completed. This hands-on support helped prepare the space for deep cleaning and important next steps as we look ahead to 2026.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, stopped by to say hello, or helped support the library this month. Your care and commitment make a lasting difference for our library and our community.
What’s Ahead: Upcoming Events and Ways to Get Involved
As the new year begins, the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library are looking forward to hands-on volunteer opportunities and community events that support learning, connection, and growth.
📚 Member Volunteer Opportunities (You must be a friends member to sign up)
This week the library cleaning will be finished and library staff will need extra hands returning books to their proper places. Volunteer shifts are scheduled and you can sign-up via this sign-up link!
🌱 Community Event: Seed Swap
The Berkeley Jefferson Extension Master Gardeners will host a Seed Swap on January 24 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Kearneysville Research, Education, and Outreach Center, located at 67 Apple Harvest Lane in Kearneysville. A snow date is scheduled for January 31 at the same time. Learn More!
💰 Community Event: Free Financial Literacy Workshop
The West Virginia Financial Literacy Initiative (WVFLI), in partnership with the Hedgesville Public Library, will host a free, conversation-style financial literacy workshop on February 3 at the Hedgesville Public Library. Doors open at 5:45 PM, with the workshop running from 6:00 to 7:15 PM.
This non-judgmental, no-sales session will cover how credit cards work, why balances can feel stuck, how subscriptions impact finances, and how credit utilization affects financial flexibility. Space is limited to 30–40 attendees, and the workshop is free to attend. Learn More!
🎉 Ribbon Cutting and Library Opening Day Celebration
Join MBCPL and the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library for a special celebration marking the library’s reopening on February 19 from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Event Schedule:
• 11:00 AM Ribbon Cutting
• Reception with light refreshments to follow ribbon cutting
• 1:00 PM Activities after reception, including Story Time at the Children’s Library and a Button Making Activity
🎨 Friends Button Making Craft
Following the library opening ceremony, the Friends will host a button making craft for visitors. Members are invited to help run the activity and welcome the community. Come for the ribbon cutting, stay for the button making!
We invite members and neighbors to join us as we kick off the year with service, creativity, and community learning.
👉 Visit our Events Page to stay up to date on upcoming activities, volunteer sign-ups, and ways to get involved.
Mr. FoMPL’s Corner: A Big Year Ahead
January is here, and my little gnome heart is doing a happy dance as we step into an exciting year for our library community. A new year brings fresh beginnings, and this one is especially special, with so much to look forward to together.
The Martinsburg Public Library will be reopening soon, and 2026 marks an incredible milestone. Our library is turning 100 years old. That’s a century of stories, learning, and neighbors coming together, and we have lots of fun events planned to celebrate along the way.
Thank you for supporting the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library and helping keep the library at the heart of our community. I cannot wait to welcome everyone back and celebrate this big year together.
-Mr. FoMPL
Your Friendly Local Library Gnome 🎄📚✨
PS: Have an idea for celebrating 100 years of the library this year, or want to share how you’re marking this special milestone? Send a note to [email protected] I might just feature it in a future newsletter.
Be Part of What’s Next for Our Library
We’re growing a welcoming community of neighbors, volunteers, and readers who believe in the power of the library to bring people together and inspire learning.
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🤝 Invite friends to become members
Together, we can continue supporting MBCPL and keep the library at the heart of the Martinsburg community.
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