Letter from the president: You’re Invited! A Roarin’ Good Time at the Library Centennial Celebration
There is a BIG CELEBRATION coming, and you're invited! The Roaring Twenties Library Centennial Celebration & Fundraiser is going to be epic, and you definitely don't want to miss it!
👉 Read the Full Letter!
A Message from the Library Director
From all of us at Martinsburg–Berkeley County Public Libraries, we’re looking forward to celebrating with you at the Roaring Twenties Centennial Celebration on Saturday, September 19, from 6–10 PM! Dress to impress, grab your tickets, and join us for a Roarin’ Good Time!
Gretchen Fry, Director Martinsburg–Berkeley County Public Libraries
A Very Special Thank You to Bracken’s Painting!
We would like to extend a very special thank you to Brackens Painting for painting the Library’s beautiful two-story Reading Room with the large windows.
Kevin Brackens approached FoMPL and the Library administration about creating a community partnership in celebration of the Library’s 100th Anniversary. What a gift that partnership has turned out to be! Many people may not realize that the major construction and renovation work completed in 2025 did not include patching or painting damaged walls. Kevin and his team stepped in to help fill that gap—literally! They patched and painted rough and damaged areas 20 feet and more above the floor in the two-story Reading Room. That is no small job!
And the generosity doesn’t stop there. Kevin and the Brackens Painting team will return multiple times over the next three years to freshen up painted areas throughout the Library. What an incredibly generous and thoughtful gift to our community and our Library! Look for a more in-depth story about the Bracken - FoMPL Partnership in the next newsletter.
Thank you, Kevin and Brackens Painting, for helping make our Library shine as we celebrate 100 years!
100 Years of Community Support
The Martinsburg Public Library has a rich history rooted firmly in community support and involvement. Want to learn more about the library’s remarkable 100-year history? We have 2 new ways to explore it!
📚 Beginning August 17, the Martinsburg Public Library History Exhibit will be on display at MPL through October 10th. The exhibit features historic library technology, the library’s very first book purchase, and scores of photographs of staff, community members, and patrons from throughout the past century.
💻 Accompanying the exhibit is an Online History of the Martinsburg Public Library on the FoMPL website, written by Keith Hammersla, Information and Technical Services Manager. Explore the stories, milestones, and people that helped make the library what it is today.
👉 Explore the history of the Martinsburg Public Library
A Busy Summer for the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library
What a summer it has been! The Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library have been busy in the community, inside the library, and deep in the planning trenches for the biggest event of our 100th anniversary year.
🦸 Comic Con at the Martinsburg Public Library: The Friends showed up in a big way at Comic Con on June 6th! We staffed a membership table, ran our Friends book sale, and had a wonderful time connecting with neighbors and welcoming new members. Thank you to every volunteer who made it happen!
There is still plenty of summer left and plenty of ways to get involved! Here is what is coming up.
🎉 Centennial Celebration Planning is in Full Swing: The team has been hard at work securing sponsors, coordinating volunteers, and finalizing details. As we get closer to the big night, we will need help with decorating and setup, so stay tuned for more ways to get involved!
📚 Shifting and Shelving Saturdays at MPL: Every Saturday through August, 10 AM to 3 PM. Lunch provided at noon! Seated tasks available, email [email protected]. 👉 Sign up for a shift!
🦋 Monarch Waystation & MBCPL Plaza Maintenance: The garden is blooming and we need your help with maintenance of the plant beds in the MBPL plaza. No experience or sign up needed, just show up!
🎉 The Centennial Celebration & Fundraiser: Saturday, September 19th, 6 to 10 PM at the Martinsburg Public Library. A Roaring Twenties Speakeasy evening featuring live jazz, Charleston dance lessons, a piano bar, gaming, hors d'oeuvres by Brix 27, a silent auction, raffles, and best attire awards!
*Ticket sales will end at Midnight on Friday, September, 4th*
👉 Grab your tickets here
🎟️ Members: Volunteer and Save $20 on Your Ticket! Volunteer for 60 minutes and your ticket is just $55. Fill out the form and we will email you the promo code! 👉 Fill out the volunteer form
Other Fall Events:
🍂 Fall Food Festival Tabling & FOMPL Book Sale: MBCPL Plaza, October 3, 2026
🌈 Pride in the Park Tabling Event: War Memorial Park, October 3, 2026
📚 WV Library Association Welcome Reception: Wednesday, Martinsburg Public Library, October 7th, 6 to 8 PM
👉 Stay in the loop on MBCPL events at mbcplibraries.org and visit our Events Page to stay up to date.
Mr. FoMPL's Corner: This Little Gnome Has Had a Busy Summer!
Well, my fellow FoMPLonians, what a summer it has been! 
From Comic Con and the Summer Reading Challenge to the Monarch Waystation blooming in the plaza and over 1,200 books back on the shelves, this community has shown up for its library in the most beautiful ways. And the biggest news? The Centennial Celebration is almost here! September 19th. A Roaring Twenties Speakeasy. Inside the library. Mr. FoMPL is positively giddy and cannot wait to see you there!
-Mr. FoMPL, Your Friendly Local Library Gnome 📚🦋💚
Stay Connected and Be Part of the Centennial Year!
We are heading into the final stretch of summer and counting down to September 19th, and there has never been a better time to get involved with the Friends of the Martinsburg Public Library!
📚 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 💬 Like and share our posts 🤝 Invite your neighbors and friends to become members
Together, we can make this centennial year one for the history books. 💚 Become a member, get Centennial Celebration tickets or become a sponsor at friends-of-mpl.org
Questions contact us at: [email protected]
