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  • As the Page Turns

    As the Page Turns

    Books, Science, Art, and More — Your Library Delivered This Week

    On Monday, April 13 Mrs. Mills from the Appomattox Adult Education Center was at the Library to promote their GED program. If you are interested in learning more about, or getting a GED, Mrs. Mills will return to the Library on Monday, April 20 & 27 from 12:00 pm to 3:00.

    On Tuesday, April 14 the Library hosted their monthly Tween STE(A)M program where they enjoyed new simple science projects. Young scientists rolled up their sleeves and dove into the slimy, stretchy, colorful world of chemistry experiments. It was equal parts learning and laughing — exactly what a great STE(A)M program looks like!

    Wednesday, April 15th, was another busy day for the Library, with several programs taking places. We started off with the Library’s Story & Craft Time, Library Fairy MaKayla featuring the book “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy” by Mychal Threets. Mr. Threets is the new host of a digital revival of the Reading Rainbow, and known as Mychal the Librarian, who advocates literacy and mental health. The Lynchburg Academy of the Arts Academy in Motion Art Bus was parked outside the Jamerson Library blah blah blah blah.

    We wrapped up Wednesday with the Adult Book Club discussing Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver — a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that retells Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield set in modern-day Appalachia, following a boy born into poverty in rural Virginia who navigates foster care, addiction, and hardship while striving to overcome the circumstances he was born into.

    On Thursday, April 16th, the Library hosted their Tween Book Club, kids enjoyed snacks while discussing the book Wolfwalkers adapted by Sam Sattin — a stunning graphic novel set in 17th-century Ireland, where a young hunter’s daughter befriends a wild girl from a legendary tribe of shapeshifters who transform into wolves at night, leading to an adventure about friendship, freedom, and protecting the natural world.

    Also on Thursday, April 16th, the Library welcomed Good Samaritan Hospice for an empowering “Plan Ahead with Five Wishes” talk, helping attendees navigate healthcare preferences, put their wishes in writing, ease the burden on their families, and make confident, informed end-of-life decisions.

    On Friday, April 17 the Library featured the Kanopy movie “The First American” about George Washington — America’s indispensable founder who was key to winning the Revolution, shaping the Constitution, and setting the precedents for self-governance. The documentary features leading historians and was filmed at Mount Vernon, Independence Hall, and other historic sites.

    Put a book in your mouth! Coming up on Thursday, April 23rd, the Library will be hosting its annual Edible Books Festival from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM — and you won’t want to miss it! This beloved and deliciously creative event invites participants of all ages to craft edible art projects inspired by a book, story, or literary character. Think cake, chocolate, breadsticks, veggies, and everything in between — if it’s edible and book-themed, it qualifies! Entries will be judged on originality and creativity, skill and construction, visual appeal, and how well the creation ties in with its literary inspiration. Awards will be presented in four categories: Best of Show Adult Book, Best of Show Young Adult Book, Best of Show Children’s/Juvenile Book, and People’s Choice. Whether you’re a book lover, a creative baker, or just someone who appreciates a great pun, now is the time to start planning your masterpiece! For contest rules and to complete your official entry form, visit us at the Library or check out www.jrjml.org. You can also give us a call at 434-352-5340 during normal business hours. We can’t wait to see what you cook up!.

    The Library will be closed to the public on Friday, May 1st, for a professional development day. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our patrons. We will reopen on Saturday, May 2nd, starting at 9:30 am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDs

    • Hunting Season
    • M3gan 2.0
    • Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season 4
    • Across the River and into the Trees
    • An Unexpected Valentine
    • The Man Who Knew Infinity
    • The Accountant
    • Prediction (by the) Numbers
    • Regretting You
    • Predator – Badlands

    Community Calendar

    April 21st, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department to host the Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Meet Deputy Thompson and the K-9 officer Zelda the hound dog as they read the book “A Hero Lives in my Family” by Dr. Susan Hunt.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club starting at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book will be “Where the Library Hides” by Isabel Ibañez. Inez Olivera traveled across the world to Egypt, seeking answers to her parents’ recent and mysterious deaths. But all her searching led her down a perilous road, filled with heartache, betrayal, and a dangerous magic that pulled her deep into the past. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Edible Book Festival from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the main floor. Join in celebrating books, art, and culture with this creative contest where participants submit edible art projects made to resemble books, or inspired by a story or book title. Rules and entry forms are on the information table, and registration forms are at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. There is something sketchy going on in the Library! Library Fairy MaKayla will razzle-dazzle you with colored pencils to teach you some basic sketching skills. Small sketch books will be provided, and yes, there will be snacks!

    April 27th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 27th, Monday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

    April 28th,Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    April 28th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts. It is BYOB (Bring Your Book), for Book Bedazzling staring at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. The Library will supply glue, embellishments, and snacks!

    April 29th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 30th, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    May 2nd, Saturday – Learning About GED at the Jamerson Memorial Library from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Come meet Doriane Mills from the Adult Education Center, the GED representative for Appomattox County. Ask questions, learn more about getting your GED or enrolling in local classes, light refreshments will be served.

    May 4, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    May 5th, Tuesday – PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) to be at the Jamerson Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. PEATC provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

    May 5th, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    May 6th, Wednesday – Story & Craft Time at the Jamerson Library, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. This month’s guest reader will be the Girls Scouts of Virginia Skyline.

    May 6, Wednesday – Legal Aid of Virginia to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 2:00 pm. This month’s interactive seminar will be on unemployment benefits.

    May 7, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    May 7, Thursday – Jamerson Memorial Library’s Spring Plant Swap! (10 am – 8 pm)

    May 9th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 11:00 am in the library’s community room. This month’s craft will feature Book Flower Displays with Pen Flowers. Please pre-register at https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration to attend.

    May 12th, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    May 12th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STE(A)M starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics! Enjoy a fun interactive and educational program while enjoying snacks and good company.

    May 13th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Our guest reader will be Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District. Katlyn will read the book “Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm” by Lindsay H. Metcalf, and provide a potted plant project.

    May 14th, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    May 18th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitches Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    May 19th, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    May 20th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    May 21st, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    May 21st, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts with MaKayla starting at 2:00 pm. Jump in with both feet for some creative foot painting!

    May 27th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

  • Board Preview: Supervisors to Vote on Valley Link Opposition, Honor Jamerson at Monday Meeting

    Board Preview: Supervisors to Vote on Valley Link Opposition, Honor Jamerson at Monday Meeting

    APPOMATTOX — The Appomattox County Board of Supervisors will take up one of the heaviest agendas of the year Monday evening, headlined by a resolution formally opposing a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line through the county and a tribute to former Board Chairman William E. “Bill” Jamerson, Sr.

    The meeting, which begins at 6:00 p.m. at 333 Court Street, also features a public hearing on whether to authorize a new private ambulance service to operate countywide, a presentation of VDOT’s six-year road improvement plan, and scheduling of the FY 2027 budget public hearing. The Board is also expected to set the stage for a proposed real estate tax rate of $0.45 per $100 of assessed value — above the equalized rate of approximately $0.42 — with the surplus earmarked for a School Construction Fund. A public hearing on the tax levy is already scheduled for April 30.

    The Board will also enter closed session to consult with legal counsel on litigation related to Region 2000 and a FOIA complaint, as well as a proposed water and sewer transaction with the Town of Appomattox — a topic that has recurred in closed sessions across multiple recent meetings.

    At a Glance

    Board Poised to Formally Oppose Valley Link Transmission Project

    The Board will consider adopting a resolution opposing the Valley Link “Joshua Falls to Yeat” project, a 115-mile, 765-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line proposed by a joint venture of Dominion Energy, FirstEnergy Transmission, and Transource Energy that would cut through approximately 15 miles of Appomattox County.

    The resolution, directed by a unanimous Board vote on March 16, cites potential harm to the county’s rural character, agricultural heritage, and forestlands. It notes that steel lattice structures approaching 160 feet tall would pass within 500 feet of numerous homes and decrease property values for hundreds of residents — while providing no direct benefit to the county’s residents or businesses.

    At last month’s regular meeting, at least six residents addressed the Board to speak against the project, with several also voicing concerns about the AVAIO Data Center Project. Supervisor Trevor Hipps expressed support for the resolution, citing residents’ property value concerns.

    The resolution urges Valley Link and the Virginia State Corporation Commission to pursue alternatives that do not impact Appomattox County, or at minimum require the line to be placed underground. Copies will be forwarded to the SCC, the Governor, and the county’s General Assembly delegation. The resolution’s language was modeled after a similar one adopted by Louisa County.


    Board to Honor William E. “Bill” Jamerson, Sr.

    The Board will adopt a resolution honoring the life and service of William E. “Bill” Jamerson, Sr., who died October 19, 2025 at the age of 91. His family will be present to accept the resolution.

    Jamerson was a three-sport athlete at Appomattox High School, a scholarship football player at Virginia Tech — where he started on the undefeated 1954 team — and the leader who grew JE Jamerson and Sons into one of Central Virginia’s largest construction companies. The firm built Appomattox County High School, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library, and the Appomattox County Courthouse, among other structures.

    His business interests also included Drinkard-Jamerson Realty, Kings Supermarkets, Dinner Bell Meat Products, and Wyndhurst, a 400-acre mixed-use development in Lynchburg. He served as an ACC football official for 21 years, working over 200 major college games, 11 bowl games, and four National Championship Games.

    Jamerson was elected to the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors in November 1989, serving one four-year term including three years as Chairman. During his tenure, the Board expanded from three members to five. The resolution also cites his philanthropy, including contributions to the Jamerson Memorial Library, Appomattox High School Athletic Complex, Courtland Festival Park Foundation, and the American Civil War Museum.

    The meeting will also feature a separate special presentation honoring Mr. Samuel E. Carter. Details were not included in the agenda packet.


    County Weighs Authorizing New Private Ambulance Provider

    A public hearing will be held on a proposed amendment to the county code that would authorize Hospital to Home, LLC to provide medical transport services throughout Appomattox County.

    Hospital to Home is a state-licensed Emergency Medical Service provider with offices in Richmond, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, and Charlottesville. The company focuses on non-emergency transport: routine transportation of dialysis patients, hospital discharges, stretcher-based transports, inter-facility transfers, and standby services for events.

    Hospital to Home would not respond to emergency 911 calls unless specifically requested by the county through its EMS system. The Board authorized the public hearing at its March 16 meeting after a presentation by H2H Vice President Andrew Brasington.

    If approved, the Board would adopt both an ordinance amending Chapter 15.2-6(C) of the county code and a companion resolution formally authorizing the company to operate. Hospital to Home would join a roster of authorized providers that already includes Appomattox County Rescue Squad, Pamplin Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, Centra Health, UVA Pegasus, Carilion Lifeguard, and several other services.


    VDOT to Present Six-Year Road Plan and Rural Paving Priorities

    Robert Brown, VDOT Appomattox Residency Administrator, will present the county’s Secondary Road Six-Year Plan for FY 2027–2032 and the Draft Rural Rustic Priority List, laying out which unpaved roads are in line for improvement.

    Topping the rural rustic priority list are Maury Place (Route 730), estimated at $99,000 for 0.33 miles of paving; Snaps Mill Road (Route 703), the costliest project at $396,000 for 1.32 miles; and Bell View Road (Route 611) at $240,000 for 0.8 miles. Additional roads on the list include Trents Mill Road, Elliott Lane, Depot Lane, Wagon Wheel Road, Patterson School Road, and Watts Mill Road.

    Staff is recommending the Board authorize a public hearing on the six-year plan for the May 18 regular meeting.


    FY 2027 Budget Season Enters Home Stretch

    The Board is expected to authorize staff to schedule and advertise a public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 Consolidated County/School/DSS Budget for Monday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m.

    The budget hearing comes on the heels of a separate Special Called Meeting already set for April 30 at 6:00 p.m. to address the county’s recent real estate reassessment and set the FY 2027 tax levy. During budget work sessions in March and April, the Board discussed an equalized real estate rate of approximately $0.42 per $100 of assessed value and voted 3-2 to advertise a proposed rate of $0.45 per $100, with the amount above equalization earmarked for a School Construction Fund.

    The two upcoming hearings — tax levy on April 30 and full budget on May 11 — will give residents their most direct opportunities to weigh in on county spending and taxation for the fiscal year ahead.


    State Grant to Fund New School Resource Officer Position

    Sheriff Robert Richardson is requesting the Board approve a $23,662 local match to fund a new School Resource Officer through a Department of Criminal Justice Services grant totaling $83,855. The state is providing $60,193 in special funds for the position, which runs through the end of 2026.

    The grant was awarded under DCJS Grant #558761 and the Sheriff’s office submitted the request on April 14. Staff recommends a transfer from the General Fund to establish the new SRO budget line.


    Ag Teacher to Make Case for AFID Grant Resubmission

    Ed McCann, agriculture teacher at Appomattox County Public Schools, will appear before the Board to discuss resubmitting an Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development grant application. The AFID program, administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, supports projects that create new jobs and economic activity in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Details on the grant amount and intended use were not included in the agenda packet.


    Commissioner Henderson to Address Tax Relief for Elderly, Disabled

    Commissioner of the Revenue Sara Henderson will appear before the Board to address questions on the county’s tax relief program for elderly and handicapped residents. At the March 31 budget work session, the Board voted unanimously to increase the net combined financial worth threshold to $150,000 and raise the annual relief limit to $500 per year.


    Two Candidates for Open EDA Seat

    The Board will appoint a representative to fill the unexpired term of Watkins Abbitt on the Appomattox County Economic Development Authority. The term runs through December 31, 2026. Abbitt resigned effective December 31, 2025 due to health issues.

    The EDA has unanimously recommended Faber B. Jamerson, Sr. for the appointment. The Board has also received an application from Winfred D. Nash.

    New 911 Center Logo Up for Approval

    The Board will vote on adopting a new official logo for Appomattox County Emergency Communications, designed by a local 911 dispatcher as part of the statewide One Commonwealth Logo Project. The circular logo features symbols representing the county’s Sheriff, Fire Department, EMS, Animal Control, and 911 communications under a single design. John Vannoy will present the logo.


    In Brief

    Woodchase street acceptance: The last remaining 0.14-mile portion of Somerset Drive in the Woodchase Subdivision will be accepted into the state secondary road system, completing a process that began when the first section and Arbor Court were accepted in April 2025. The 22-lot subdivision off Pumping Station Road currently has 14 homes.

    Virginia Cooperative Extension update: Senior Extension Agent Bruce Jones will brief the Board on Extension Office activities.

    Consent agenda: The Board will consider $1,134,011.96 in invoices for payment, approve draft minutes from three prior meetings, and process five Veteran’s Exemption tax refunds totaling $1,969.39. Department supplements include $17,654.49 for the Sheriff’s Office (reimbursements from the Town, School Board, DCJS, and City of Lynchburg) and $6,648 in fire program funds.

    School financial report: The February 2026 month-end financial report from Superintendent Dr. Jason Tibbs shows school division expenditures year-to-date at approximately $20.7 million against a $38.8 million total budget, with 76.93% of appropriations utilized through the eighth month of the fiscal year.

    Delinquent tax collection: The Sands Anderson status report shows 457 total parcels turned over for collection since June 2002, with 347 (75.9%) paid in full. Tax penalties and interest collected total $972,637.19, with $244,509.30 in surplus from sales escheated to the county.

    Closed session: The Board will enter closed session to consult with legal counsel on two matters — actual litigation related to Region 2000 and a FOIA complaint, and legal advice related to a proposed water and sewer transaction with the Town of Appomattox. The town water/sewer matter has been a recurring topic in closed sessions across multiple recent meetings.

    Meeting agenda and supporting documents are available at AppomattoxCountyVA.gov. All information is sourced from the publicly available April 20, 2026 Board of Supervisors agenda packet.

  • As the Page Turns 04/13/26

    As the Page Turns 04/13/26

    From Plant Swaps to Fairy Lights: Spring Is Blooming at Jamerson Library

    Conversation and busy hands were the order of the day on Monday, April 6th, as the Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers met in the Library for their bimonthly meeting. This community of artistic and imaginative friends love to gather and exchange quilting, embroidery, knitting and crocheting patterns, learn from each other, and enjoy good company. If you are interested in joining them, they would welcome you at their next session, on Monday, April 20th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Library’s conference room.

    On Tuesday, April 13th, PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) held an information seminar for parents or guardians of students with disabilities at the Jamerson Library. PEATC offers support, training and advocacy. Their next meeting at the Library will be on Tuesday, May 5, in the Library’s conference room from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

    Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District were our guests for the Wednesday, April 8th Story & Craft Time. Katelin read the book “Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring” by Kenard Pak. Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and welcome the lushness of spring. The kids enjoyed snacks will making colorful suns out of paper plates, construction paper, and other embellishments. Our next Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, April 15th, featuring the book “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy by Mychal Threets.

    On Saturday, April 11th, Library Director Cindy Scheu hosted her popular Creative Class for Adults. This month she showed patrons how to make a fairy light lamp using plastic sheeting, and blocks! These cute home décor pieces will light up any corner in a room, bringing a bit of sparkle and joy. Our next Creative Class will be on May 9, 2026. May’s creative creation will be Book Flower Displays with pen flowers.

    Jamerson Library’s Think Beyond the Can outreach program is growing— You no longer need to register for this program, just come check out our new Little Free Food Pantry in the foyer! We invite you to support our neighbors in need by donating non-perishable food items or ‘Meal in a Bag’ kits. If you need assistance, please take what you need, with a limit of 3 items per family, per visit, to ensure there is enough to share.

    The Library will be closed to the public on Friday, May 1st, for a professional development day. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our patrons. We will reopen on Saturday, May 2nd, starting at 9:30 am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

    It is not too late to stop by the Library and select seeds from our Jamerson Library’s seed Library. We have herbs, flowers, vegetables, and other assorted seeds. It is three (3) items per week, per household, while supplies last. We have added the following seeds, to our growing selection: borage, calendula, catnip, peppermint, purple basil, rosemary and thyme.

    Join the Jamerson Library for our annual Spring Plant Swap on Thursday, May 7, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. What is a plant swap? It is when you bring your extra or unwanted houseplants, seeds, bareroots, and cuttings to the Library and exchange them for new friends to take home. You must bring plants in order to take plants in a fair or generous exchange of greenery. There are a few simple rules to follow.

    • Plants must be free of diseases and infestations.
    • No dead plants.
    • Plants must be easy to transport (put in some sort of container, pots, cups, baggies with a wet paper towel).
    • You must leave plants, to take plants, no taking plants without a fair or generous exchange.
    • Bring your own totes, boxes, or crates for the swap to take selected plants home.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDs

    • My Old Lady
    • Vesper
    • Seven Alone
    • Afterburn
    • Ballerina (From the World of John Wick)
    • Soul Kittens Cabaret
    • Contagion
    • Superman (2025)
    • Crimson Peak
    • Icefall

    Community Calendar

    April 14th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STE(A)M starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics! Enjoy a fun interactive and educational program while enjoying snacks and good company.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 5:30 pm in the community room.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 15th, Wednesday – The Lynchburg Academy of the Art’s Academy in Motion Art Bus will be parked outside the Jamerson Library from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm as a part of the Library’s Story & Craft Time, featuring the book “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy” by Mychal Threets!

    April 15th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 16th, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    April 16th, Thursday – Good Samaritan Hospice’s discussion on “Plan Ahead with Five Wishes” at the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 3:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Good Samaritan Hospice will host an empowering seminar to help you talk through your healthcare preferences, put your wishes in writing, ease the burden on your family, and make confident, informed decisions. Come learn, ask questions, and leave with a plan.

    April 16th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Tween Book Club starting at 4:00 pm. This month’s book is WolfWalkers adapted by Samuel Sattin. In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father, whose job it is to wipe out the last wolf pack. Robyn, unable to hunt with her father and sick of being confined, sneaks out to explore the forbidden lands outside the city walls. There, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe of WOLFWALKERS rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 17th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Kanopy Movie starting at 2:00 pm. The Library will feature the movie The First American. George Washington is central to understanding America’s founding. He was the crucial figure in winning the American Revolution, in creating the Constitution, and in establishing the precedents for effective self-government as our first president.

    April 20th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitches Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 20th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 21st, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department to host the Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Meet Deputy Thompson and the K-9 officer Zelda the hound dog as they read the book “A Hero Lives in my Family” by Dr. Susan Hunt.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club starting at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book will be “Where the Library Hides” by Isabel Ibañez. Inez Olivera traveled across the world to Egypt, seeking answers to her parents’ recent and mysterious deaths. But all her searching led her down a perilous road, filled with heartache, betrayal, and a dangerous magic that pulled her deep into the past. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Edible Book Festival from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the main floor. Join in celebrating books, art, and culture with this creative contest where participants submit edible art projects made to resemble books, or inspired by a story or book title. Rules and entry forms are on the information table, and registration forms are at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. There is something sketchy going on in the Library! Library Fairy MaKayla will razzle-dazzle you with colored pencils to teach you some basic sketching skills. Small sketch books will be provided, and yes, there will be snacks!

    April 27th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 27th, Monday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

    April 28th,Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    April 28th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts. It is BYOB (Bring Your Book), for Book Bedazzling staring at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. The Library will supply glue, embellishments, and snacks!

    April 29th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 30th, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

  • Letter to the Editor: Valley Link Threatens Generations of Farming

    Letter to the Editor: Valley Link Threatens Generations of Farming

    To the Editor,

    This is my family’s story. I know there will be many people affected by the proposed Valley Link transmission lines, and each will have their own story to tell. This one is ours.

    My husband’s grandfather began farming this land in the early 1900s. Before him, it was farmed by another family. For well over a century, this property has remained working farmland. He raised cattle and crops here, and later one of his sons continued the work. Eventually, my husband and I purchased the family farm with one hope in mind: that our daughter and her husband might one day continue farming it.

    That dream became reality. While still in middle school, our daughter began building her herd by showing Simmental heifers and keeping them. Over time, that small beginning grew into something much bigger. Her future husband was doing the same, and when they married, they combined their herds and built a beef production farm together on this land. For nearly 20 years, we have watched that dream grow.

    Along the way, our family has worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for over a decade to protect our waterways and grasslands. We have made a long-term commitment to conservation, stewardship, and responsible farming practices, supported in part through taxpayer-funded programs.

    Today, our daughter, her husband, and our two granddaughters live on this property in a home they built. This is not just property; it is their home, livelihood, and future. Our granddaughters are growing up playing in the yard, running through fields, splashing in creeks, riding horses, and helping with the cattle, learning what it means to care for the land. Now we are being asked to accept that they will grow up in the shadow of massive transmission lines—lines that raise concerns about long-term health and safety and will forever change how this land is experienced.

    And what then? Are we expected to simply sell? Who would buy a farm like this once it is divided and overshadowed? Its value, financially and otherwise, will decline. This land also holds deep history beyond our family: a cemetery near the original homesite, abundant wildlife, and ecosystems carefully preserved for generations.

    Now Valley Link, in partnership with Dominion Energy, proposes to “plow” through this land with 765 kV transmission lines as part of the Joshua Falls to Yeats project, an unprecedented undertaking in Central Virginia that would permanently alter this property and its future. Rural land is not empty space. It carries history, supports families, and sustains future generations. Once disrupted, it cannot be restored.

    While this is our story, we are not alone. Families and communities all along this corridor face the same uncertainty and potential loss. Our voices deserve to be heard.

    There is a better way.

    Sincerely,

    Amy Harris Seay

    Louisa County resident; family farm in Fluvanna County

  • As the Page Turns

    As the Page Turns

    Growing the Seeds of Kindness and Community Service at Your Local Library

    Jamerson Library’s Think Beyond the Can outreach program is growing— You no longer need to register for this program, just come check out our new Little Free Food Pantry in the foyer! We invite you to support our neighbors in need by donating non-perishable food items or ‘Meal in a Bag’ kits. If you need assistance, please take what you need, with a limit of 3 items per family, per visit, to ensure there is enough to share.

    Cheep, cheep for Peeps®! It is not too late to stop by the Library’s outside photo booth for selfies, family, friends and small group photos with a Peep® theme for Easter. For the last five months the Library staff has decorated around the bench, located at our front doors, to welcome community participation on Main Street.

    Coming soon, checkoutable Bird Watching Kits for the family! Each kit contains: one pair of adult and one pair of child-sized binoculars with carrying cases and cleaning cloths, birds of North America identification cards, a notebook and pen set, and a Virginia State Park Pass. These kits must be checked out by an adult, with all linked accounts in good standing. Kits are considered a special checkout item, and a Special Checkout User Agreement form must be signed by the responsible adult. These kits are made available via the Flight Path Grant.

    The Library hosted a group of adults for a private movie showing on Tuesday, March 31st, serving refreshment. This move was about an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory. If your own small group or organization, of up to 20, want to have your own private movie showing don’t hesitate to call us, and make arrangements.

    On Tuesday, March 31st, the Library went to the birds! Using interlocking building bricks patrons created small colorful birds while enjoying snacks. This program was sponsored by the Flight Path Grant.

    No fooling around, the Library had a busy Wednesday, April 1st! We started the day with the launch of our Jamerson Library Seed Library. Patrons can come into the Library and get 3 items per family, per week, including: seeds, bare roots, bulbs, and other plant related items. The purpose of our Seed Library is to promote gardening, sustainability, beautification, local food security, a sense of community, and the promotion of pollinators. Our Seed Library is currently located at the circulation desk. Patrons with extra gardening related items are encouraged to donate them to the Seed Library. The Library has several gardening beds and large pots located along the side of the building so that we can do our part to promote this important, fun, and interesting “dig” into gardening.

    Also on Wednesday, County Administrator Susan Adams was our guest reader for our Family Story and Craft Hour. She read the book “Pete the Cat’s Wacky Taco Tuesday” by James Dean. It’s Tuesday, and Pete is hungry for delicious tacos. But the taqueria is closed! Pete has an idea—he and his family will make their own tacos, even if they don’t have the typical toppings. Will a scoop of creativity and a dollop of problem-solving be the right ingredients to save Taco Tuesday? The kids enjoyed making blue cats in tacos while enjoying jelly beans, a taco ingredient from the book, and juice. Our next Story & Craft Time will be hosted by Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.

    A representative from Legal Aid presented an interactive seminar on Wage Garnishment and Debt Collection on Wednesday, April 1st. The next seminar will be on Wednesday, May 6th, staring at 2:00 in the Library’s conference room, to discuss unemployment benefits.

    Also on Wednesday April 1st, Girls Who Code explored STEAM through building and programming a spider robot. Girls Who Code is a group dedicated to letting young women experience and learn more about STEAM oriented fields to build their confidence for the future. There is one more chance to join us for Girls Who Code before we take a summer break. Our last meeting of this school year is May 6th at 4:00 pm in the Community Room.

    On Thursday, April 2nd, Library Director Cindy Scheu hosted a Bird Wreath Making Class for Adults teaching patrons how to turn bird seed, oats and cranberries into hangable wreaths to feed our native and migrating birds and winter turns into spring.

    It was a hopping good time on Saturday, April 4 for the Holliday Lake and Jamerson Library’s “Hop Into Spring” event. Beautiful spring weather brought out the Easter Bunny and many friends to enjoy games, crafts and other spring fun.

    In celebration of Spring and the return of migrating birds, the Library is hosting a “Cleared for Takeoff: Free Bird Watching Raffle”, that consists of a Flight Path tote bag, bird safe coffee, water bottle, sticker, pen & notebook set, beaded parrot keychain, planter, and other assorted items. It is one entry per person, per visit. We will announce the winner on Thursday, April 30th. This raffle is partially paid for by the Flight Path Grant.

    The Library will be closed to the public on Friday, May 1st, for a professional development day. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our patrons. We will reopen on Saturday, May 2nd, starting at 9:30 am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDs:

    • Doctor Who: The Peter Capaldi Years
    • Divergent
    • Insurgent
    • Allegiant
    • Dogma
    • N is for Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdős
    • Roofman
    • One Battle After Another

    Community Calendar

    April 6th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 7th, Tuesday – PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) to be at the Jamerson Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. PEATC provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

    April 8th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time at 11:00 feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 11th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 11:00 am in the library’s community room. This month’s craft will feature creating a lamp out of wooden blocks. Please pre-register at https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration to attend.

    April 13th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STE(A)M starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics! Enjoy a fun interactive and educational program while enjoying snacks and good company.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 5:30 pm in the community room.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 16th, Thursday – Good Samaritan Hospice’s discussion on “Plan Ahead with Five Wishes” at the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 3:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Good Samaritan Hospice will host an empowering seminar to help you talk through your healthcare preferences, put your wishes in writing, ease the burden on your family, and make confident, informed decisions. Come learn, ask questions, and leave with a plan.

    April 16th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Tween Book Club starting at 4:00 pm. This month’s book is WolfWalkers adapted by Samuel Sattin. In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father, whose job it is to wipe out the last wolf pack. Robyn, unable to hunt with her father and sick of being confined, sneaks out to explore the forbidden lands outside the city walls. There, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe of wolfwalkers rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 17th, Friday – Jamerson Library’s Kanopy Movie starting at 2:00 pm. The Library will feature the movie The First American. George Washington is central to understanding America’s founding. He was the crucial figure in winning the American Revolution, in creating the Constitution, and in establishing the precedents for effective self-government as our first president.

    April 20th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitches Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 20th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department to host the Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Meet Deputy Thompson and the K-9 officer Zelda the hound dog as they read the book “A Hero Lives in my Family” by Dr. Susan Hunt.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club starting at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book will be “Where the Library Hides” by Isabel Ibañez. Inez Olivera traveled across the world to Egypt, seeking answers to her parents’ recent and mysterious deaths. But all her searching led her down a perilous road, filled with heartache, betrayal, and a dangerous magic that pulled her deep into the past. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Edible Book Festival from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the main floor. Join in celebrating books, art, and culture with this creative contest where participants submit edible art projects made to resemble books, or inspired by a story or book title. Rules and entry forms are on the information table, and registration forms are at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. There is something sketchy going on in the Library! Library Fairy MaKayla will razzle-dazzle you with colored pencils to teach you some basic sketching skills. Small sketch books will be provided, and yes, there will be snacks!

    April 27th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 27th, Monday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

    April 28th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts. It is BYOB (Bring Your Book), for Book Bedazzling staring at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. The Library will supply glue, embellishments, and snacks!

    April 28th,Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All aboard the pony express! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this horse-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Trot year-round.

    April 28th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts. It is BYOB (Bring Your Book), for Book Bedazzling staring at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. The Library will supply glue, embellishments, and snacks!

    April 29th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 30th, Thursday – Spot the Book Bus at the Jamerson Library from 9:50 am to 11:00 am. Bark up a good book! Preschool through high school-aged youth can borrow a book from this dalmatian-painted bus that will be parked out front of the Library, located on Main Street. The Library accepts book returns and donations on behalf of Spot year-round.

  • As the Page Turns

    As the Page Turns

    Planting the seeds of community service and kindness

    The Jamerson Seed Library returns! Join us in growing a stronger community starting Wednesday, April 1st. Whether you’re a beginner or a master gardener, come browse our free selection of seeds, bulbs, bareroots and other items! To ensure everyone gets a chance to plant, there is a limit of 3 items per household weekly. Have extra items? Please consider donating to keep our community bounty growing! Let’s cultivate beauty, sustainability, food security, support of local pollinators, and grow together!

    For the Tuesday, March 24th’s Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts Library Fairy MaKayla showed patrons to how make magical journals to fill with photos, memories & memorabilia, adventure entries, stickers, washi tape, and other embellishments.

    On Wednesday, March 25th, Kaitlyn from the Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District was our guest reader for Story & Craft Time. She read the book “Bug Zoo” by Disney Books. Ben loves bugs: armored, teeny, leggy, greenie, floaty, wingy, jumpy, springy bugs! After a trip to the city zoo, Ben collects all of the bugs he can find and sets up a bug zoo. He couldn’t be happier–but what about his bugs? The kids enjoyed making bug headbands while enjoying snacks and juice. Our next Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, April 1, County Administrator Susan Adams will be our guest reader, featuring the book “Pete the Cat’s Wacky Taco Tuesday. It’s Tuesday, and Pete is hungry for delicious tacos. But the taqueria is closed! Pete has an idea—he and his family will make their own tacos, even if they don’t have the typical toppings. Will a scoop of creativity and a dollop of problem-solving be the right ingredients to save Taco Tuesday? Please note there is only one Story & Craft Time that day, starting at 11:00 am.

    Also on Wednesday, Professor Steven Hoehner from Longwood University returned for another math program “High-Dimensional Geometry and Probability Talk”. This program was made possible by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

    For the Thursday, After School Crafts with MaKayla we the Library did personal junk journals using an assortment of stickers, pens, colored pencils, scrap paper, and lots of other embellishments to create a colorful book to keep your memories, secrets and photos in.

    The Career Fair held Saturday, March 28th was a resounding success! Businesses from Appomattox and the surrounding area came together to offer job seekers valuable career advice and on-the-spot application opportunities. Despite a return of cold weather, the event drew an impressive turnout — a testament to the community’s enthusiasm and need for local employment resources. Attendees had the chance to submit applications, share their resumes directly with employers, and connect with fellow job seekers to explore new career paths and possibilities..

    We want to give a huge shout out to Alexis Griffin from Griffin’s Garden, a new micro flower farm in Appomattox, for returning this year to plant new flowers and herbs in our raised beds. These beds are located on the side of the Library, that were donated by Griffin’s Garden last year to help raise awareness in the importance of planting for beautification, pollination, and food security. The Library has plans on planting their own flowers and herbs to add to the aesthetics outside the Library.

    Our Library is growing—come check out our new Little Free Food Pantry in the foyer! We invite you to support our neighbors in need by donating non-perishable food items or ‘Meal in a Bag’ kits. If you are in need of assistance, please take what you need, with a limit of 3 items per family, per visit, to ensure there is enough to share.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDs

    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 7
    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 8
    • Doctor Who: The Christopher Eccleston & David Tennant Years (The 9th and 10th Doctor)
    • Doctor Who: The Matt Smith Collection (The 11th Doctor)
    • Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor (50th Anniversary Special)
    • Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor (2013 Christmas Special)

    Adult Non-Fiction

    • Anxiety & Stress Handbook & Resource Guide
    • Family of Spies: a World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor by Christine Kuehn
    • Midnight Flyboys: the American Bomber Crews and Allied Secret Agents Who Aided the French Resistance in World War II by Bruce Henderson
    • Ain’t Nobody’s Fool: the Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha Ackmann
    • Ctrl + Alt + Chaos: How Teenage Hackers Hijack the Internet by Joe Tidy
    • Oxford Essential German Dictionary
    • Langenscheidt’s Russian-English English-Russian Dictionary
    • Math Art: Truth, Beauty, and Equations by Stephen Ornes
    • A Guide to Infinity: Ten Mathematical Journeys by Edward R. Scheinerman
    • Math Cats: Scratching the Surface of Mathematical Concepts by Daniel M. Look, PhD
    • The Joy of X: a Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity by Steven Strogatz

    Adult Fiction

    • Want to Know a Secret? By Freida McFadden
    • Beach Read by Emily Henry
    • How to Fly (When You Fell from Heaven #1) by Alyson Greaves
    • All the Way (When You Fell from Heaven #2) by Alyson Greaves

    Adult Graphic Novels

    • Electric Life by Sander Funneman

    Spanish Language Collection

    • Este es un Cuento by John Schu
    • Vida: Los ratones, el gato y el alebrije by Duncan Tonatiuh

    Picture Books

    • Help Me Find My Hamster! By Brooke Hartman
    • Vida: the Mice, the Cat, and the Alebrije by Duncan Tonatiuh
    • The Chase by Jenny Bloomfield
    • The Bicycle Girl: Jyoti Kumari’s Amazing Journey Across India by Garen Thomas and Suhasini Raj

    Juvenile Fiction

    • The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu
    • Oh, Give Me a Home by Jane Kurtz
    • The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson
    • Setting the Stage (Cast vs. Crew #1) by Lindsay Champion
    • The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller
    • Murray the Pirate (Murray and Bun! #3) by Adam Stower
    • Dante N. Ferno is Not a Loser by Brian Gordon

    Juvenile Graphic Novels

    • Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd
    • Gabby Torres is the Best Winner Ever by Angela Dominguez
    • Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves by Dan Santat

    Juvenile Non-fiction

    • Mushrooms and Company by Geert-Jan Roebers
    • How to Survive an Apocalypse: the End of the World Doesn’t Have to Be the End of the World by Coby Coonradt and Cameron Hardy
    • The Gland Factory: a Tour of Your Body’s Goops, Juices, and Hormones by Rachel Poliquin
    • The Six Queens of Henry VIII by Honor Cargill-Martin
    • Abolition and the African American Story by Patricia Williams Dockery

    Young Adult Fiction

    • An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew
    • Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith
    • And the River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun
    • Beyond Seven Forests by Amanda McCrina
    • Coldwire by Chloe Gong
    • Few Blue Skies by Carolina Ixta
    • Winter White: a Modern Retelling of Shakespeare’s The Winter Tale by Annie Cardi
    • The Roommate Arrangement by Samantha Markum
    • Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean
    • Freddie and Stella Got Hot by Maggie Horne
    • Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet
    • Foundling (Monster Blood Tattoo #1) by D. M. Cornish
    • Lamplighter (Monster Blood Tattoo #2) by D. M. Cornish
    • Factotum (Monster Blood Tattoo #3) by D. M. Cornish

    Young Adult Graphic Novels

    • The Silver Eyes (Five Nights at Freddy’s #1) by Scott Cawthon
    • The Twisted Ones (Five Nights at Freddy’s #2) by Scott Cawthon
    • The Fourth Closet (Five Nights at Freddy’s #3) by Scott Cawthon

    Community Calendar

    March 30th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 31st, Tuesday – Brick Bird Building in the conference room of the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 4:00 pm. Turn colorful little bricks into an assortment of tiny birds. It is one kit per patron. This program is intended for primary and elementary school-aged children and above. Please be aware that these small bricks are a choking hazard for smaller children.

    April 1st, Wednesday – County Administrator Susan Adams to read for the Family Hour Story & Craft Time at 11:00 am. She will feature an age-appropriate book, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend, with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 1st, Wednesday – Free Legal Aid Workshop at the Jamerson Memorial Library hosted by the Virginia Legal Aid Society starting at 2:00 pm in the Library’s community room. This month’s topic will be on wage garnishment and debt collections. This event is open to the public.

    April 1st, Wednesday – Girls Who Code at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Girls Who Code is a club designed to help young women learn about science, technology, engineering, math, and how they integrate into their everyday lives. The Jamerson GWC Club welcomes new members from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Please register at https://www.jrjml.org/girlswhocoderegistration/.

    April 2nd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Bird Seed Wreath Making Class for Adults. Join the Bird Seed Wreath Making Class for Adults on Thursday, April 2nd at 5:30 pm in the library conference room. Learn to create two take-home bird seed wreaths using bird seed, oatmeal, and cranberries to feed local and migrating birds.

    April 4th, Saturday – Holliday Lake and Jamerson Library’s “Hop Into Spring” at Abbitt Park, located next to the Library. Easter fun for everyone from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Celebrate springtime with outdoor games, crafts and fun, including photo opportunities and a chance to win prizes.

    April 6th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 7th, Tuesday – PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) to be at the Jamerson Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. PEATC provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

    April 8th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time at 11:00 am & 12:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Our guest reader will be the Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District. They will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 11th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 11:00 am in the library’s community room. This month’s craft will feature creating a lamp out of wooden blocks. Please pre-register at https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration to attend.

    April 13th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STE(A)M starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics! Enjoy a fun interactive and educational program while enjoying snacks and good company.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 5:30 pm in the community room.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 16th, Thursday – Good Samaritan Hospice’s discussion on “Plan Ahead with Five Wishes” at the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 3:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Good Samaritan Hospice will host an empowering seminar to help you talk through your healthcare preferences, put your wishes in writing, ease the burden on your family, and make confident, informed decisions. Come learn, ask questions, and leave with a plan.

    April 16th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Tween Book Club starting at 4:00 pm. This month’s book is WolfWalkers adapted by Samuel Sattin. In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father whose job it is to wipe out the last wolf pack. Robyn, unable to hunt with her father and sick of being confined, sneaks out to explore the forbidden oaklands outside the city walls. There, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe of WOLFWALKERS rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 17th, Friday – Jamerson Library’s Kanopy Movie starting at 2:00 pm. The Library will feature the movie The First American. George Washington is central to understanding America’s founding. He was the crucial figure in winning the American Revolution, in creating the Constitution, and in establishing the precedents for effective self-government as our first president.

    April 20, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitches Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 20th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department to host the Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Times, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Meet Deputy Thompson and the K-9 officer Zelda the hound dog as they read the book “A Hero Lives in my Family” by Dr. Susan Hunt.

    April 22nd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club starting at 3:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s will be “Where the Library Hides” by Isabel Ibañez. Inez Olivera traveled across the world to Egypt, seeking answers into her parents’ recent and mysterious deaths. But all her searching led her down a perilous road, filled with heartache, betrayal, and a dangerous magic that pulled her deep into the past. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Edible Book Festival from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the main floor. Join in celebrating books, art, and culture with this creative contest where participants submit edible art projects made to resemble books, or inspired by a story or book title. Rules and entry forms are on the information table, and registration forms are at the circulation desk.

  • As the Page Turns

    As the Page Turns

    Mooning patrons, planting seeds, and spreading joy.

    Last month, the Library staff created a scandal by passing out kisses (Hershey’s Kisses®); this month,, the scandal is bigger. The staff is mooning patrons! They are passing out famous, delicious, coated graham cracker cookies with marshmallow filling, known as Moon Pies®! If you would like a staff member to “moon” you, please come to the front desk. One Moon Pie per customer, while supplies last.

    On Wednesday, March 18th, our guest reader for the weekly Story & Craft Time was Ranger Chance from Holliday Lake State Park. Chance read the book “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert. A mother and child plant a rainbow of colors in their flower garden. The cyclical excitement of planning, planting, and picking flowers in a garden is brought to life. Chance showed the kids how to plant a pollinator mix of wildflowers, with extra seeds to plant later, and provided coloring pages for the kids as they enjoyed their snacks. Our next Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, March 25, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    Also, on Wednesday, the Library hosted Professor Steven Hoehner from Longwood University for Cryptology: The Mathematics of Making and Breaking Secret Codes. This was an interactive and activity-based mini lecture on cryptology with a hands on activity to learn how to break codes.

    On Saturday, March 21st, the Library joined the Women of the Moose for their Easter Egg Hunt event. Staff passed out crafts and applied glitter tattoos. We want to thank Women of the Moose for inviting us to this event, the glitter tattoos were a huge hit with the kids!

    The Jamerson Seed Library returns! Join us in growing a stronger community starting Wednesday, April 1st. Whether you’re a beginner or a master gardener, browse our free selection of seeds, bulbs, bareroots, and other items! To ensure everyone has a chance to plant, there is a limit of 3 items per household weekly. Have extra items? Please consider donating to keep our community bounty growing! Let’s cultivate beauty, sustainability, food security, support of local pollinators, and grow together!

    Help us feed our community! The J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library is still accepting donations for our “Meal in a Bag” program, which provides easy-to-make, nourishing meals to families in need. We have made donating easy: you pick up a bag with a recipe card at the library, fill it with the non-perishable ingredients, and return it to us. Check out the recipe ideas at https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc/.

    Do you or a neighbor need support with meals? Please sign up to receive a box of meal kits at https://www.jrjml.org/finr or by calling us. We will reach out when your kits are ready for pickup.

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDs

    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 3
    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 4
    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 5
    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 6
    • Dinosaur (Walt Disney)
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 1: The Gruffalo
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 2: The Gruffalo’s Child
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 3: Room on a Broom
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 4: Stick Man
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 5: The Highway Rat
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 6: Zog
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 7: The Snail and the Whale
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 8: Zog and the Flying Doctors
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 9: Superworm
    • The Gruffalo and Friends 10: The Smeds and the Smoos

    Community Calendar

    March 23rd, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 24th, Tuesday – Jamerson Memorial Library’s Teen Crafts at 3:30 pm in the Library’s community room. Want to learn about Junk Journaling? Join us as we help you turn memorabilia, photos, magazine and scrapbooking paper, stickers, rhinestones, and other embellishments to create the first few pages of your very own junk journals. We will supply all needed materials, including an empty, ready to decorate, journal, to get you started, and you supply the imagination. If you want, you can bring in your own personal items such as photos, ticket stubs, special paper and other items you would like to add to your journals.

    March 25th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    March 25th, Wednesday – High-Dimensional Geometry and Probability talk with Steven Hoehner in the Jamerson Library’s community room starting at 4:00 pm. He will be presenting his recent work highlighting a new paper that demonstrates the optimality of random partial sphere coverings.

    March 26th, Thursday – After School Crafts with MaKayla starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Come create small junk journals with lots of craft supplies such as markers, crayons, stickers, fancy paper, and other embellishments.

    March 28th, Saturday – Jamerson Memorial Library’s Career Fair from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in Abbitt Park, located next to the Library. Join us for an in-person opportunity to learn about local companies, the armed forces, and other organizations that are potentially hiring. You can submit resumes, network, and find a career that best matches your education, personality, and interests.

    March 30th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 31st, Tuesday – Brick Bird Building in the conference room of the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 4:00 pm. Turn colorful little bricks into an assortment of tiny birds. It is one kit per patron. This program is intended for primary and elementary school-aged children and above. Please be aware that these small bricks are a choking hazard for smaller children.

    April 1st, Wednesday – County Administrator Susan Adams to read for the Family Hour Story & Craft Time at 11:00 am. She feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend, with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 1st, Wednesday – Free Legal Aid Workshop at the Jamerson Memorial Library hosted by the Virginia Legal Aid Society starting at 2:00 pm in the Library’s community room. This month’s topic will be on wage garnishment and debt collections. This event is open to the public.

    April 1, Wednesday – Girls Who Code at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Girls Who Code is a club designed to help young women learn about science, technology, engineering, math, and how they integrate into their everyday lives. The Jamerson GWC Club welcomes new members from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Please register at https://www.jrjml.org/girlswhocoderegistration/.

    April 2nd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Bird Seed Wreath Making Class for Adults. Join the Bird Seed Wreath Making Class for Adults on Thursday, April 2nd at 5:30 pm in the library conference room. Learn to create two take-home bird seed wreaths using bird seed, oatmeal, and cranberries to feed local and migrating birds.

    April 4th, Saturday – Holliday Lake and Jamerson Library’s “Hop Into Spring” at Abbitt Park Easter fun. Celebrate springtime with outdoor games, crafts and fun, including photo opportunities, and a chance to win prizes.

    April 6th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 7th, Tuesday – PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) to be at the Jamerson Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. PEATC provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

    April 8th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time at 11:00 am & 12:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Our guest reader will be Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District. They will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 11th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 11:00 am in the library’s community room. This month’s craft will feature creating a lamp out of wooden blocks. Please pre-register at https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration to attend.

    April 13th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    April 14th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STE(A)M starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics! Enjoy a fun interactive and educational program while enjoying snacks and good company.

    April 14, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 5:30 pm in the community room.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    April 15th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the Library’s conference room. This month’s book is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.
    April 16th, Thursday – Jamerson Memorial Library to host Good Samaritan Hospice at 3:00 pm in the Library’s conference room.

    April 16th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Tween Book Club starting at 4:00 pm. This month’s book is WolfWalkers adapted by Samuel Sattin. In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father whose job it is to wipe out the last wolf pack. Robyn, unable to hunt with her father and sick of being confined, sneaks out to explore the forbidden oaklands outside the city walls. There, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe of WOLFWALKERS rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    April 17th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Kanopy Movie starting at 2:00 pm. The Library will feature the movie The First American. George Washington is central to understanding America’s founding. He was the crucial figure in winning the American Revolution, in creating the Constitution, and in establishing the precedents for effective self-government as our first president.

    April 20, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitches Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    April 20th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

  • As the Page Turns

    As the Page Turns

    Planting the Seeds of Knowledge at Your Local Library

    Your local Library the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library is more than just books, we are a community hub of knowledge, entertainment, and community outreach.

    Last week was busy, with lots of planning, programs, and plants. Part of staff planning is for the 2026 Summer Reading Program “Unearth a Story” (Desentierra una Historia). There will be a focus on dinosaurs, archaeology, adventurers, and more, starting on June 1st!

    On Tuesday, March 10th, the Library hosted their monthly Tween Steam Program, featuring “Pi Skyline”, made possible by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant. Turning the numbers of Pi into a skyline using graph paper, makers, and crayons to create art out of math.

    The Library featured the book “How to Catch a Leprechaun” by Adam Wallace for the Wednesday, March 11th’s Story & Craft Time. You’ve been planning night and day, and finally you’ve created the perfect trap with shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows galore! Now all you need to do is wait. Is this the year you’ll finally catch the leprechaun? The kids enjoyed snacks, while creating tissue paper shamrock wreaths. Our next Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, March 18th, our guest reader will be Ranger Chance from Holliday Lake State Park, featuring a spring and flowers themed book and craft project at 11:00 am, and 12:00 pm.

    The Library hosted both the Teen and Adult Book Clubs on Wednesday, March 11th. For the Teen Book Club, the featured book was “What the River Knows” by Isabel Ibañez, and the Adult Book Club’s featured title was “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner.

    For the Creative Class for Adult, also on Wednesday, March 11th, everyone was all twisted up for math-based Pi string creations, turning mathematical data into visual art. The purpose of this class is to encourage adults to explore their creative side through freestyle thinking and imagination, turning inspiration into originality and resourcefulness.

    The Library hosted their Tween Book Club on Thursday, March 12th, featuring the book “The Secret of Kells: The Graphic Novel (Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore)” adapted by Samuel Sattin. The kids enjoyed snacks and a discussion on friends, secret powers, Vikings, and legends. Our next Tween Book Club will be held on April 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM featuring the book “Wolfwalkers” by Samuel Sattin. In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father whose job it is to wipe out the last wolf pack. Robyn, unable to hunt with her father and sick of being confined, sneaks out to explore the forbidden lands outside the city walls. There, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe of WOLFWALKERS rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    If you would like to view The Secret of Kells, you can watch the animated feature on kanopy, the Library’s free streaming service. To find out more about kanopy, you must have a valid and active library card, and visit our website at www.jrjml.org, then click on kanopy to get started.

    Due to no school on Friday, March 13th, the Library hosted another Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant event of Pi-related activities and crafts. We had pi, pies, and Moon Pies!

    It was a Piepalooza on Saturday, March 14th, for a family style event with patrons of all ages, with crafts and snacks to celebrate math and all things Pi and Pie!

    Spring is coming, this would be a great time to donate those unused books, DVDs, and magazines to the Library. We accept items that are free of the scent of smoke / mold, and in clean condition. If we can not make use of these donated items, they will be put in several little free libraries that we maintain, sold in our book sale, given to another organization, or disposed of as needed.

    The Jamerson Seed Library returns! Join us in growing a stronger community starting Wednesday, April 1st. Whether you’re a beginner or a master gardener, come browse our free selection of seeds, bulbs, bareroots and other items! To ensure everyone gets a chance to plant, there is a limit of 3 items per household weekly. Have extra items? Please consider donating to keep our community bounty growing! Let’s cultivate beauty, sustainability, food security, support of local pollinators, and grow together!

    The Library staff is also getting ready for their annual spring plant swap by rooting cuttings, getting pots ready, and planting seeds! We will start announcing the date of this event in April. Be sure to keep an eye out for this event and other Library-related information at the online newspaper the Appomattox Times at https://appomattoxtimes.com, our website at https://www.jrjml.org/, or our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.

    Help us feed our community! The J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library is still accepting donations for our “Meal in a Bag” program, which provides easy-to-make, nourishing meals to families in need. We have made donating easy: you pick up a bag with a recipe card at the library, fill it with the non-perishable ingredients, and return it to us. Check out the recipe ideas at https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc/.

    Do you, or a neighbor, need support with meals? Please sign up to receive a box of meal kits at https://www.jrjml.org/finr or by calling us. We will reach out when your kits are ready for pickup.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDs

    • The Great Math Mystery
    • A Brilliant Young Mind
    • The Story of Math
    • Fractals
    • Now You See Me Now You Don’t
    • The Vampire Diaries – Season 1
    • The Vampire Diaries – Season

    Picture Books

    • Don’t Eat Eustace by Lian Cho
    • Chicka Chicka Peep Peep by Julien Chung
    • Little Moments in a Big Universe by Todd Stewart

    Juvenile Graphic Novels:

    • The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey by Steve Sheinkin
    • Rabbi Harvey Rides Again by Steve Sheinkin
    • Rabbi Harvey and the Wisdom Kid by Steve Sheinkin

    Young Adult Graphic Novels:

    • Love, Misha by Askel Aden
    • Raised by Ghosts by Briana Loewinsohn
    • Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake #1) by Victoria Setian

    Young Adult Fiction

    • The Same Backward as Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    Young Adult Nonfiction

    • American Spirits: the Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad That Haunted a Nation by Barb Rosenstock
    • White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups by Gail Jarrow
    • White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War, then Rewrote History by Ann Bausum

    Adult Fiction

    • To Ride a Rising Storm (Nampeshiweisit #2) by Moniquill Blackgoose
    • Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera
    • I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
    • The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
    • The Book of Love by Kelly Link
    • The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer
    • Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab
    • The Merge by Grace Walker
    • Fallen City (Fallen City #1) by Adrienne Young

    Adult Nonfiction

    • Tulips and Chimneys by E. E. Cummings
    • The Complete Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne: Twice-Told Tales
    • Poems and Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson
    • Collected Works of Oscar Wilde
    • Collected Works of Rudyard Kipling (volumes 1 and 2)
    • Fire in Every Direction: a Memoir by Tareq Baconi
    • The Complete Book of US Presidents (2025 Edition) by Bill Yenne

    March 16th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    March 17th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library Board to meet in the Library’s community room starting at 4:00 pm. The Library is located at 157 Main Street in Appomattox, VA. These meetings are open to the public.

    March 18th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library to host Holliday Lake State Park for Story & Craft Time starting at 11:00 am & 12:00 pm. Join Ranger Chance as he reads an age-appropriate book about spring and flowers, followed by a craft project and snacks!

    March 18th, Wednesday – Cryptology: The Mathematics of Making and Breaking Secret Codes. Join Steven Hoehner in the Jamerson Memorial Library’s community room starting at 4:00 pm for an interactive and activity-based mini lecture on cryptology.

    March 19th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Math Movie starting at 6:00 pm in the commentary room. This movie is about an incredible untold story of three brilliant African-American women working at NASA. They served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of an astronaut into orbit. This movie is rated PG, snacks will be served.

    March 21st, Saturday – Jamerson Library to join the Moose Lodge for their Easter Egg Hunt from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The Library will be inside with crafts, coloring pages, and Library information. The Moose Lodge is located at 307 Lee’s Crossing Lane, Appomattox, VA.

    March 23rd, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 24th, Tuesday – Jamerson Memorial Library’s Teen Crafts at 3:30 pm in the Library’s community room. Want to learn about Junk Journaling? Join us as we help you turn memorabilia, photos, magazine and scrapbooking paper, stickers, rhinestones, and other embellishments to create the first few pages of your very own junk journals. We will supply all needed materials, including an empty, ready to decorate, journal, to get you started, while you supply the imagination. If you want, you can bring in your own personal items such as photos, ticket stubs, special paper and other items you would like to add to your journals.

    March 25th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    March 25th, Wednesday – High-Dimensional Geometry and Probability talk with Steven Hoehner in the Jamerson Library’s community room starting at 4:00 pm. He will be presenting his recent work highlighting a new paper that demonstrates the optimality of random partial sphere coverings.

    March 26th, Thursday – After School Crafts with MaKayla starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Come create small junk journals with lots of craft supplies such as markers, crayons, stickers, fancy paper and other embellishments.

    March 28th, Saturday – Jamerson Memorial Library’s Career Fair from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in Abbitt Park, located next to the Library. Join us for an in-person opportunity to learn about local companies, the armed forces, and other organizations that are potentially hiring. You can submit resumes, network, and find a career that best matches your education, personality, and interests.

    March 30th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 31st, Tuesday – Brick Bird Building in the conference room of the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 4:00 pm. Turn colorful little bricks into an assortment of tiny birds. It is one kit per patron. This program is intended for primary and elementary school-aged children and above. Please be aware that these small bricks are a choking hazard for smaller children.

  • As the Page Turns 2/26/26

    As the Page Turns 2/26/26

    February is almost over, but the Library staff is still giving away kisses (Hershey’s Kisses) at the front desk, along with fortune cookies, red envelopes with a brass coin, and craft projects in celebration of the Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the fire horse.

    February and “Love Your Library Month” may be leaving, but patrons have been loving the Valentine’s Day photo booth so much that we have put another one out for March! Be sure to stop by and take a selfie or photos of your friends and family. Don’t forget to tag us on social media.

    March is in like a lion and out like a lamb! March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. This was the time of year, in ancient Rome, to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted due to winter. The birthstone is the aquamarine and the flower is the daffodil. Some of the observances in March are: Credit Education Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, National Craft Month, National Pet Vaccination Month, Paws To Read Month, Read an E-Book Week (1st-7th), National Anthem Day (3rd), Oreo Cookie Day (6th), Johnny Appleseed Day (11th), Pi Day (as in the math pie = 3.14159265 etc.) (14th), Ides of March (15th), St. Patrick’s Day (17th), and Spring (Vernal Equinox) (20th at 10:46 am).

    On Tuesday, February 17th, the Library celebrated Chinese New Year! 2026 is the year of the fire horse. Everyone who attended was gifted a red envelope with a brass coin for luck. Participants enjoyed fire horse crafts, and assorted snacks. We would like to thank Golden China for generously providing the fortune cookies. Since it was also Mardi Gras, we also passed out beads and Mardi Gras crafts.

    On Wednesday, February 18th, the Library hosted their weekly Story & Craft Time. Library Fairy MaKayla read the book “How to Catch a Dinosaur” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton. The kids used their imagination by painting their own version of a dinosaur while enjoying snacks. Our next Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, February 25th, with Ranger Chance from Holliday Lake State Park. He will read the book “Lake Mamas and Babies”. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    The Library serves Appomattox County and beyond. On Thursday, February 19th, Library staff went beyond county borders to Farmville, to serve the needs of an almost-empty Children’s Little Free Library at Spoonful of Buttercream bakery. We filled up their children’s library with new and used books from donations and other acquired books. If you are in Farmville, be sure to stop by for some sweet treats and a free book! This is just one of the many Little Free Libraries that we help support. We also support Little Free Libraries outside our front doors, Holliday Lake State Park, the Appomattox Visitor’s Center, Horizon Behavioral Health Center, and Appomattox Inns and Suites.

    On Thursday, February 19th, the Library hosted their Retro Movie Night. In celebration of our nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, we featured a movie about the adventures of saving the Declaration of Independence. Our next movie showing will be on Thursday, March 12th, starting at 4:00 pm. We will be showing “The Joy of Pi” as a part of the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

    The Library is still accepting donations of Meal in a Bag Kits, which will be distributed to households throughout our community to help ensure that every family has access to a warm and nourishing meal during winter months. Donations may be dropped off at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library during regular business hours. If you would like to participate, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library has a box of gallon-sized zipper bags with recipe cards in them, so all you have to do is fill the bag and return it to the library. For a list of suggested items and sample recipes, please visit our website at: https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc/ to view the Meal in a Bag recipe cards. If you know of someone in need or are interested in receiving a selection of Meal in a Bag Kits you must register your family online at: https://www.jrjml.org/finr or call us. The Library will be in contact with you when the Meal in a Bag Kits are available for you to pick up. In addition, we will be distributing totes of meal kits to some area food banks. For a list of local area resources please visit: https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and would like to highlight the following items:

    DVDS

    • Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season 3
    • Tron: Ares
    • Altered
    • Twisters
    • Wicked: For Good (Wicked part 2)

    Community Calendar

    February 26th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts With MaKayla starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Join us for another 2025 Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant event featuring pi art! There will be pi and pie! Everyone is welcome with the understanding that this program is for tweens and teens.

    March 2nd, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    March 2nd, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 3rd, Tuesday – PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) to be at the Jamerson Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. PEATC provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

    March 4th, Wednesday – Family Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend, with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    March 4th, Wednesday – Legal Aid Outreach. A representative from Legal Aid will host a public forum at the Jamerson Library starting at 2:00 pm in our community room. This month’s topic will be career advice.

    March 4th, Wednesday – Girls Who Code at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Girls Who Code is a club designed to help young women learn about science, technology, engineering, math, and how they integrate into their everyday lives. The Jamerson GWC Club welcomes new members from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Please register at https://www.jrjml.org/girlswhocoderegistration/.

    March 4th, Wednesday – Jamerson Memorial Library to host a College Fair from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Discover a world of opportunities, meet representatives from esteemed universities, and gain valuable insights to shape your academic path and future career.

    March 9th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

    March 10th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STEAM starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Using graph paper and markers to create a skyline using the numbers of Pi. Snacks will be served!

    March 10th, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 5:30 pm in the community room.

    March 11th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    March 11th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club starting at 3:30 pm. This month’s book is “What the River Knows” by Isabel Ibañez. Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents―who frequently leave her behind. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    March 11th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm. This month’s book is “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner. Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries. Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive. There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    March 11th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 6:30 pm in the library’s community room. This month’s craft will feature abstract string art. Please pre-register at https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration to attend.

    March 12th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Math Movie starting at 2:00 pm in the community room. We will feature “The Joy of Pi”, a part of the Kanopy series The Joy of Mathematics. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It starts at 3.14 and continues in an infinite nonrepeating sequence. Professor Benjamin shows how to learn the first hundred digits of this celebrated number, making it look as easy as pie. Brought to you by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

    March 12th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Tween Book Club starting at 4:00 pm. This month’s book is “The Secret of Kells: The Graphic Novel (Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore)” adapted by Samuel Sattin. In the remote Abbey of Kells lives a young monk named Brendan. Brendan and his fellow monks spend their days isolated from the outside world, toiling away under the strict control of Brendan’s uncle to build walls that fend off the Vikings. Everything changes when a master illuminator arrives with an extraordinary book containing secret powers. But the book is unfinished, and Brendan’s help is needed. As he sets off on a thrilling adventure through the enchanted woods, Brendan encounters wicked creatures lurking in the shadows—but also new friends. With the help of the bold fairy Aisling, can Brendan finish the ancient book and cast light over Kells? There are multiple copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

    March 13th, Friday – Pi Activities at the Jamerson Library from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the community room. Join us for Moonpies ®, mandalas and Pi bracelets! Brought to you by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

    March 14th, Saturday – In celebration of Pi Day the Jamerson Library presents Piepalooza! We will be partying from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the community room with an assortment of Pi-related activities, snacks, and more! Brought to you by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

    March 16th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing or other related hobbies are encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

    March 17th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library Board to meet in the Library’s community room starting at 4:00 pm. The Library is located at 157 Main Street in Appomattox, VA. These meetings are open to the public.

    March 18, Wednesday – Jamerson Library to host Holliday Lake State Park for Story & Craft Time starting at 11:00 am & 12:00 pm. Join Ranger Chance as he reads and age-appropriate book about spring/flowers followed by a craft project and snacks!

    March 19th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Math Movie starting at 6:00 pm in the commentary room. This movie is about an incredible untold story of 3 brilliant African-American women working at NASA. They served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of an astronaut into orbit. This movie is rated PG, snacks will be served.

  • As the Page Turns

    Did you know that your local Library is a community hub of activity where local clubs and organizations meet? On Monday, January 5th, Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers met in our community room to teach, exchange patterns, and get together to crochet, knit, embroider, quilt and practice other such fiber arts while enjoying good conversation and company.

    On Tuesday, January 6th, PEATC held their monthly meeting in the Library’s community room. What is PEATC? PEATC stands for Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, which provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/. Their next meeting at the Library will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

    On Wednesday, January 7th, the Library hosted our weekly Story & Craft time, featuring the book “Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter” by Kenard Pak. Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the setting sun to curious deer, they say goodbye to autumn and welcome the glorious first snow of winter. The kids enjoyed making snowmen from recycled paper towel rolls and embellishments while enjoying snacks and juice. Our next Preschool Story & Craft Time will be held on Wednesday, January 14th, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    Just a reminder to all our patrons, we have updated our software, and you can once again place holds on items via our website. You can log in using your Library Card number and your password, which is the last 4 digits of your card number, unless you have changed it. We would like to remind you to please remember to log out of your account if you are on a library-owned or other public computer. To view your account, or place holds visit: www.jrjml.org and click on “My Account” in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

    It is the start of a new year and we would like to remind all clubs, churches and other civic organizations that it is time to fill out a new annual “Community Room Use Form” to reserve and make use of the Library’s community room. This room is for non-profit reasons only, there is no charge to use this room, and only during normal business hours. For more information or to fill out an online form please visit: https://www.jrjml.org/meeting-room/.

    Trot and Spot, ALIP’s (Appomattox Literacy Intervention Project) book buses, will return to the Library starting this week as a part of their winter run! You can catch Trot the Horse or Spot the Dog in the Library’s parking lot for the next several weeks! These buses are the brainchild of a former APS Reading Specialist. Trot and Spot are retired school buses painted to resemble their respective animals. They travel throughout Appomattox County year-round, visiting preschool classes, Head Start classes, daycare facilities, home care centers, local private schools, neighborhoods, and private residences. For the latest Trot and Spot schedules come into the Library for a copy, or visit our social media accounts.

    Your local public library, (that’s us!), serves the public in many ways. One of them is our continuing “Think Beyond the Can” program. What is Think Beyond the Can? It is an outreach program of accepting donations of Meal in a Bag Kits, which will be distributed to households throughout our community to help ensure that every family has access to a warm and nourishing meal during the winter. Donations may be dropped off at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library during regular business hours. If you would like to participate, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library has a box of gallon-sized zipper bags with recipe cards in them, so all you have to do is fill the bag and return it to the library. For a list of suggested items and sample recipes, please visit our website at: https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc/ to view the Meal in a Bag recipe cards. If you know of anyone, or are interested in receiving a selection of Meal in a Bag Kits, residents can register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/finr or call us. The Library will contact you when the Meal in a Bag Kits are available for pickup. In addition, we will be distributing totes of meal kits to some area food banks. For a list of local area resources, please visit: https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc.

    In observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day the Library will be closed on Monday, January 19th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop will remain open.

    In observation of Presidents’ Day the Library will be closed on Monday, February 16th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, February 17th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

    If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

    Article/Photo submitted by
    Katharine G. Bloodworth
    J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

    The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items and we would like to highlight the following DVDs:

        Sin City
        Freaky Friday
        Inside Out 2
        Dangerous
        Last Seen Alive
        Downton Abbey: A New Era

    Community Calendar

    January 15th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Retro Movie Night starting at 6:00 pm in the community room. Join us for free refreshments and a family-friendly movie classic adventure of a young boy as he leads his group of friends and his older brother on a quest for a legendary long-lost treasure to stop their homes from being demolished. This movie is rated PG.

    January 19th, Monday – Library closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

    January 20th, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus to be in the parking lot of the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 11:50 am to 12:45 pm. Patrons, preschool through high school, can borrow a book from this horse-painted book bus. The Library accepts Trot and Spot returns at any time during normal business hours.

    January 20th, Tuesday – Jamerson Memorial Library Board Meeting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. We are located at 157 Main Street. This meeting is open to the public.

    January 21st, Wednesday – Holliday Lake and Jamerson Library’s Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Ranger Chance from Holliday Lake State Park will feature an age-appropriate bird book, followed by a simple bird craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons. Brought to you by the Flight Path Grant.

    January 21st, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to be in the parking lot of the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 12:10 pm to 12:40 pm. Patrons, preschool through high school, can borrow a book from this dog-painted book bus. The Library accepts Trot and Spot returns at any time during normal business hours.

    January 22nd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts with MaKayla starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Join MaKayla in making winter bird seed wreaths to feed our feathered friends, brought to you by the Flight Path Grant. Learn about winter native birds, and enjoy refreshments as we provide all materials needed to make several bird seed wreaths for you to take home.

    January 24th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults – Bird Seed Wreaths starting at 10:00 am, brought to you by the Flight Path Grant. Adults 18+ are encouraged to learn how to make winter bird seed rings to take home, to feed native birds. All materials will be supplied. You must be per-register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration.

    January 27th, Tuesday – Trot the Book Bus to be in the parking lot of the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 11:50 am to 12:45 pm. Patrons, preschool through high school, can borrow a book from this horse-painted book bus. The Library accepts Trot and Spot returns at any time during normal business hours.

    January 27th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts starting at 3:30 pm in the community room. Join us for and assortment of winter crafts, hot chocolate, and snacks.

    January 28th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

    January 28th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to be in the parking lot of the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 12:10 pm to 12:40 pm. Patrons, preschool through high school, can borrow a book from this dog-painted book bus. The Library accepts Trot and Spot returns at any time during normal business hours.

    January 29th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Puzzle Pandemonium! Join us for puzzles of all types, hot chocolate, and snacks as we celebrate National Puzzle Day! Hosted in our community room from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Open to all ages!