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The Benwood-McMechen Public Library offers our users a multitude of resources, from books, audiobooks and videos to e-books, magazine databases, streaming movies and public internet access. Find links on The Library’s main page.
We provide free public wi-fi access and are also a Kids Connect site. We house historic memorabilia from Union High School Alumni as well as materials from Bishop Donahue High School.
THE LIBRARIES – The main library is in Moundsville. The two branches in Marshall County are Benwood-McMechen and Cameron. An archival center, close to the main library, is under development. The Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library acts as the regional headquarters for several affiliate libraries in Wetzel and Tyler Counties, forming a service center that previously went by the name of the Miracle Valley Regional Library System.
DIRECTIONS: The library is located just east of Rt. 2 / Rt. 250 at the north end of McMechen, just north of 3rd Street.
THE CONSORTIUM – The West Virginia Library Network has over 100 member libraries 37 counties across the state. Your Marshall County library card should work in almost all of them. Wonder why your card says “NorLN”? That stands for the Northern Library Network, a consortium launched in 2005 with more than 40 libraries in 17 counties in the northern region of West Virginia – including the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library and its branches. But then in 2020 the Northern Library Network joined with the Mountain Library Network and other libraries in West Virginia to form a new consortium, the West Virginia Library Network or WVLN. The aim is to more efficiently and fully serve the residents and visitors of West Virginia. The yellow “NorLN” card continues to work until we replace it or relabel it in the near future.
GETTING A LIBRARY CARD – Residents of Marshall County are eligible for a free library card (there is a small charge for replacement cards). To register, come to the library with a valid ID that shows your current address. If you’re under 18, your parent or legal guardian needs to sign the registration along with you. If you already have a valid card from another WVLN library you usually can use that at our library. If you aren’t able to come into the library in person you can call or email us to find out how we can get you a library card.
BORROWING MATERIALS – You need a library card to borrow most items, though there are some “honor paperbacks” for adults that do not require a card. Most items may be renewed if no one else has asked for them. ILL materials, borrowed from another library, usually cannot be renewed. The regular loan periods are:
Books – 2 weeks
Audiobooks – 2 weeks
DVDs – 2 days
PUBLIC COMPUTERS & WI-FI – Internet-access computers with basic office software are available on a “first-come first-serve” basis. You sign up at the Circulation Desk. A library card is not required. Black & white printing can be done from any of the computers. If you bring your own device, you can take advantage of our free wireless internet access within the building or in the immediate vicinity. You’ll need to request a wi-fi receipt. At this time printing with wi-fi is not available.
CONTACTING US – Phone us at 304-232-9720. Visit us at 201 Marshall Street in McMechen, WV. If you need to email, please contact the main library in Moundsville.