Category: Library

Getting squirmy at the Library. Pictured is Library Director Mrs. Cindy Scheu holding up our “Squirm the Bookworm” sign at the future site for Squirm.

June and the 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World” are just around the corner! June is named after the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. It also comes from the Latin word juvenis meaning “young people.” June’s birthstone is the pearl, and the flower is the rose. Some observances in June are: Adopt A Shelter Cat Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Audiobook Appreciation Month, Dairy Month, National Ice Tea Month and National Zoo and Aquarium Month.

Watch us grow! We have reached out to the online newspaper The Appomattox Times, and we have good news! We will be submitting our article “As The Page Turns” to help get the word out about Library happenings. You can find this quickly-growing online newspaper at: https://appomattoxtimes.goingblu.com/, or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556173151506.

The Library’s monthly newsletter for Juneis now available in physical copy at our circulation desk, or on our website at: www.jrjml.org. On the right-hand side of the top of the homepage you will find a link titled Newsletter, which will provide you with a PDF copy you can read online or download and print out. The Library also has a June/July newsletter for our 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”. Be sure to pick up a copy of both!

Sharing is caring! Thanks to a donation of hummingbird feeders from an anonymous patron, we are making progress on our ongoing pollinator program. We have added to feeding the hummingbirds by putting out a bird bath, a seed feeder, and a flat for peanuts and other larger items for the birds (and squirrels) to eat. Feeding the native birds is an important part of pollination propagation, and since we are all animal lovers, it is a win-win for our feathered friends, our patrons, and our staff! This, in addition to our seed library, checkout-able paper pot maker kit, and annual plant swaps are a very cool way to help native insects, birds and other species as we promote pollinators.

For the Wednesday, May 21^st, Story & Craft Time new Library employee Zoe read the book “I Don’t Want To Be A Frog” by Dev Petty. The kids jumped right in, enjoying a snack while working on several frog-related craft projects. Our last Jamerson Story & Craft Time before the start of the 2025 Summer Reading Program will be on Wednesday, May 25, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Don’t panic, we have lots of programs and events going on this summer for the whole family!

On Thursday, May 22nd, the Library welcomed a private group for a movie time serving snacks! As 2:00 pm we showed the same movie for the Jamerson Retro After School movie.

On Friday, May 23rd, Library Fairy MaKayla hosted her After School Program featuring Legos and snacks!

Color Our World, the 2025 Summer Reading Program, will start on Monday, June 2nd! We will feature 8 full weeks of programs with a focus on art, photography, writing and storytelling, performance arts and more! This program is open to patrons 2 years of age and older. You must register and submit your reading logs online using Beanstack as we are taking a more environmentally-friendly approach to this year’s recordkeeping. To register, download the Beanstack App on the Apple Store or Google Play. Search for the Jamerson Library and sign up each participantby following the instructions and answering a few simple questions on the App. The J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library is located on Main Street in Appomattox, Virginia. If you have any questions or are having difficulty registering, come to the front desk with your cellphone/tablet, and a friendly staff member will be happy to help you.

Join the Jamerson Memorial Library and Appomattox Rocks for a community project, Squirm the Bookworm! Watch us grow, and grow with us by painting a portion of this painted rock bookworm, to be housed in the Library’s lava rock garden. This fun and family-friendly project is to create beauty, art, eye-catching color, and to promote the Library and Main Street! Be a part of it by adding a rock or two! We encourage you to seal your rocks with a spray or paint-on sealant to help keep them looking colorful in the weather. Please take photos, but don’t take the rocks, and tag the Library and Appomattox Rocks on your social media pages!

Be a part of fun! On Wednesday, June 4^th, the Library will host our much-anticipated Fun & Craft Day in Abbitt Park from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. This fair-style event is a part of our 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”. There will be vendors, giveaways, games, craft projects, educational displays, photo booth and more! Be sure to mark your calendars and join us in this FREE family-friendly event brought to you by your local Library, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. Abbitt Park is located next to the Library on Main Street in Appomattox, Virginia. Be sure to bring a t-shirt, tote bag, bandana, scarf, or hair scrunchie for tie-dying! Washed, natural fibers like cotton will work best for tie-dying. Service animals welcome but please leave your pets at home.

Come party with us at the Town of Appomattox’s Centennial Celebration! We will be joining the Town on Saturday, June 7^th, from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm in Courtland Festival Park for this commemoration! There will be live music, a bounce house, food and lots of family fun! Look for our blue tent to get the latest edition of our newsletter, library-related information, bubbles, snap a photo in our photo booth, craft projects and more! We have been a part of Appomattox since 1936 and on Main Street since 1992. Come rediscover what your local Library can do for you.

On Saturday, June 14th the Library will continue our community outreach by being a guest vendor at the James River State Park’s Batteaux & Banjos from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Rumor has it Bigfoot is going to make an appearance! James River State Park is located at 104 Green Hill Drive, Gladstone Virginia, you will find us near the visitor’s center.Come get your photo with Bigfoot while the Library gives away children’s books, bubbles, craft projects, library-related materials and more.

In observance of Juneteenth the Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, June 20th, starting at 9:30 am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open during this time.

On Friday, June 20th the Library will be a guest vendor at the Appomattox For Equality’s Juneteenth celebration “Building on the Promise for Freedom for All”. Look for our blue tent at the Caver-Price Culture Center (426 Patricia Ann Lane, Appomattox) from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pmto get the latest edition of our newsletter, library-related information, bubbles, Juneteenth bracelets, craft projects and more!

The Appomattox County Adult Learning Center will be taking a break from their GED outreach at the Library this summer, and will start back up in early fall. If you need information on GED or other services from the Adult Learning Center you are encouraged to visit their website at: https://www.acpsweb.net/o/acps/page/adult-ed .

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 at 434.352.5340.

Watch us grow, and grow with us by participating in the Jamerson Seed Library! When available, each household will be able to request 3 packets of seeds/bulbs/bareroots per week. Each packet will contain either a single kind or a mix of bulbs, bareroots, vegetables, herbs, wildflowers, decorative flowers, plants, and more. If you would like to donate seeds/bulbs/bareroots you can drop them off anytime during normal business hours.

Trot and Spot, the mobile book buses, sponsored by Appomattox Literacy Intervention Project (A.L.I.P.), a non-profit charitable organization which began in 1996 in order to promote literacy throughout Appomattox County, stopped for their last Spring Run stops at the Library on May 13th & 14th. Spot will return for the A.L.I.P Book Bus Summer Run on Wednesdays, June 4th, 11th, and the 25th, and July 2nd and 9th from 11:25 am to 12:00 pm.

On the Wednesday, May 14th’s Story & Craft Time Library Fairy MaKayla introduced the book “How to Catch a Bookworm” by Alice Walstead and Cesar Samaniego. How do you catch a bookworm? All we know is that he hides where there are lots of books to read! The kids enjoyed snacks while making their own version of a bookworm! Our next Story & Craft Times will be on Wednesday, May 21st & 28th, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.

For the Retro Jamerson Movie Night on Thursday, May 15^th, we featured a film about a young swashbuckler who rescues the beautiful titled heroine from her sinister husband-to-be in a fun and fetching fairy tale for the whole family. We will be taking a break from Movie Night till this fall, as we have booked lots of events, including movies, for the 2025 Summer Reading Program.

In observance of the Memorial Day Holiday the Library will be closed on Saturday, May 24th, and Monday, May 26th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 27th starting at 9:30 am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open during this time.

Get ready to read!! The Library staff is getting ready for our quickly approaching 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”! We will launch this much-anticipated program on Monday, June 2nd! You must register and submit your reading logs online using Beanstack as we are taking a more environmentally friendly approach to this year’s record keeping. To register download the Beanstack App on the Apple Store or Google Play. Search for the Jamerson Library and sign up each participant by following the instructions and answering a few simple questions on the App. If you have any questions or are having difficulty logging on, come to the front desk with your cellphone/tablet, and a friendly staff member will be happy to help you.

Be sure to keep up with the Library on our social media pages, our website (www.jrjml.org), our monthly newsletter, or the local online newspaper The Appomattox Times (https://appomattoxtimes.goingblu.com). We will be posting the latest information, upcoming events, special programs, Summer Reading news, fun links, educational information and more!

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 at 434.352.5340.

Article Submitted by

Katharine G. Bloodworth

Public Services Specialist

J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

Upcoming Events

May 19th, Monday – GED Outreach at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. A representative 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.

May 21st, 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 22nd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Retro After School Movie starting at 2:00 pm in the community room. A group of young misfits discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. This movie is rated PG, free refreshments will be served.

May 23rd, Friday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts starting at 2pm in the community room. Join Library Fairy MaKayla for crafts, fun, and snacks as we celebrate the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation!

May 27, Tuesday – Parent Support Group to meet at the Jamerson Library starting at 6:30 pm. Are you the parent or legal guardian of a special needs child? Did you know that there is a support group for you in Appomattox? We will meet in the community room of the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library (157 Main Street). For more information contact Alyssa Holland at [email protected].

May 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.

Monday, June 2nd – Jamerson Library Summer Reading Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the community room. Join us for a family-friendly movie about a nine-year-old young lady who is a talented artist with a passion for horses, in this modern-day story about finding your voice! This is a heart-warming, empowering, and fun movie for anyone who has ever dreamed big. Snacks will be served.

Tuesday, June 3rd – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 4th, Wednesday – Fun & Craft Day in Abbitt Park from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Join the Jamerson Memorial Library for their annual Summer Reading Fair, there will be vendors offering educational, informational, and fun displays, games, bottled water, give-a-ways and more! Don’t forget to bring a t-shirt for tye-dying! Staff will be on hand to help you sign up for the 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”.

June 4th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 11:25 am to 12:00 pm for kids preschool up through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at anytime.

June 5th, Thursday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 9th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00am. 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!

June 10th, Tuesday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 11th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 11:25 am to 12:00 pm for kids preschool up through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at anytime.

June 11th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library Summer Reading Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the community room. Join us for a family-friendly movie about a colorful, modern-day fairytale filled with fashion, friends and fun! This famous fashion icon and her dog jet off to visit her aunt’s amazing fashion house in Paris, and much to her surprise it’s about to be shut down forever. Snacks will be served.

June 12th, Thursday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 16th, Monday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 17th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library Summer Reading Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the community room. Join us for a family-friendly movie about a curious little money who always has the time to stop for a good picture with his friend. Snacks will be served.

June 18th, Wednesday – Kiva Automotive to host a Jamerson Library Story & Craft Time in Abbitt Park starting at 11:00 am. Come join Donna as she reads a book about cars, of course! She will have a cool craft project and snacks provided by Kiva Automotive!

June 18th, Wednesday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 24th, Tuesday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

June 25th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Memorial Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 11:25 am to 12:00 pm for kids preschool up through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at anytime.

June 25th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library Summer Reading Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the community room. Join us for a family-friendly movie about big changes brewing in the city, and if our hero wants to save the city from the villain’s hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

June 26th, Thursday – Summer Reading Book, Craft & Activity at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join the Library for a family-friendly book, a creative craft, and a fun activity with snacks!

July 2nd, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 11:25 am to 12:00 pm for kids preschool up through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at anytime.

July 9th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 11:25 am to 12:00 pm for kids preschool up through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at anytime.