Reaching out beyond Appomattox. Did you know that Library’s play a huge role in tourism? “Library Tourism” is the hot buzz word that has gone viral around the world. The J Robert Jamerson Memorial Library embraces library tourism with our own unique spin. What is Library Tourism? It describes when people travel to a tourist destination and visit the library while there. Libraries are active and vibrant participants in cultural tourism, promoting the development and utilization of spaces, activities and information services within libraries. Public Libraries often store local historical and cultural information and manuscripts for the area in which they reside along with offering exhibitions and events, providing online services (for finding out more information about the area and printing boarding passes or tickets) and have reading areas that are free and open to the public. This Library uses donations and deletions to help fill these Little Free Libraries at a cost of near zero. Sharing and caring is a part of our community and civic duties as a public Library.
On Tuesday, July 8th Library Fairy MaKayla introduced the book “This Book is Perfect”! by Ron Keres as a part of the Summer Reading Story, Craft & Activity program. Finn is not like most frogs. Finn likes things clean―perfectly clean.
His book is immaculate. It’s amazing. It’s PERFECT, well, according to him. But one day, an oopy, goopy mess begins to sneak its way onto Finn’s pristine pages, threatening to disrupt his perfect world. Determined to restore order, Finn embarks on a mission to fix the mess. But he soon learns that not all messes can be fixed. And not all messes should be fixed. The kids created their own comic book style journals to record their own adventures while enjoying snacks. The activity included becoming their own authors and illustrators by creating stories in a round table style collaboration of free form storytelling. If you are interested in the book it is available for checkout.
As a part of the 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”, the Library hosted a Family Story & Craft Time on July 9th. We introduced the book “This Art is for the Birds”, written and illustrated by Susan Bednarski. Alex the Crow is an artist, and his pigeon friends think his work belongs in the museum. But how will they get it there? With persistence and pigeonuity, the four friends hatch a plan to help their friend achieve his dream. The New York art world will never be the same! Each family received a copy of the book to take home! Kids enjoyed cupcakes while everyone made painted stained glass art ornaments accented with colorful beads. If this book sounds fun and you are interested in reading it, it is available for checkout at the Library.
Also on Wednesday, the Library featured a movie about a magical journey of a famous nanny who helps a family remember the joy of being a child. Together with her friend a lamplighter fun is brought back to the streets of London in a celebration where everything is possible…even the impossible. Everyone who attended enjoyed refreshments.
On Thursday, July 10th the Library featured the book “When You Open a Book” written by Caroline Derlatka. *“Two children dine with mermaids, swashbuckle with pirates, and ride on the shoulders of a giant in this beautiful tale about the transportive power of reading. The dreamlike illustrations use a broad palette of bright colors and wispy textures to spark children’s imaginations, encouraging them to crack open a book and enter a world of winged dragons, musical sea creatures, and mice hanging stars on the moon.”―ForeWord Reviews. The kids used their imagination to “go to the beach” while enjoying snacks and making Beach Hut Pen Cup Holders using colored paper, crayons, colored pencils, and embellishments. If you are interested in this book, it is available for checkout.
On Friday, July 11th the Library turned a negative into a positive as they pulled a last-minute craft and snack hour to replace the youth choir program. We brought the kids out of the heat and into our community room for refreshments and lots of crafts to create.
On Saturday July 12th the Library Director held another Creative Outlet Class for adults. July’s project was to create the viral beaded plants using wire, terracotta pots, moss, and tons of beads! This program was created to allow patrons and guests who are 18+ a venue to explore their creative side through art. Our next Creative Outlet Class for Adults will be held on Saturday, August 9th starting at 11:00 am, using oil pastels for a Tree of Life. If you wish to attend you must be pre-registered online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration .
Calling all Hillcat Baseball fans, learn how to score free tickets at the Jamerson Memorial Library! The Hillcats are sponsoring a “Blast Off to Reading” Game on Sunday, August 17th, as they play against the Delmarva Shorebirds starting at 2:00 pm! If you are registered for the Jamerson Memorial Library’s Summer Reading Program, you can earn one of these tickets by reading for at least 30 minutes. It is one ticket per person, no exceptions, while supplies last. It is not too late to sign up online for our Summer Reading Program “Color Our World” at: https://jrjml.beanstack.com/reader365 . Yes, adults are included in this promotion between the Jamerson Library and the Lynchburg Hillcats!
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 / Photo Submitted by
Katharine G. Bloodworth
Public Services Specialist
J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library
The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items, and would like to highlight the following titles:
DVDs
Yellowstone Season 5, Part 1
Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2
Conclave
Venom: The Last Dance
Entourage – Season 1 (replacement copy)
Gladiator IILibrary Community Calendar
July 14th, 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!
July 15th, 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!
July 15th, Tuesday – Jamerson Memorial Library Board Meeting starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. We are located at 157 Main Street. These meetings are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend.
July 16th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library Family-Friendly in the community room starting at 1:00 pm. An eleven-year-old orphan has one dream to go to Paris and become a dancer. Her best friend, an imaginative, exuberant boy with a passion for creating, has a dream of his own to become a famous inventor. In a leap of faith, they leave their orphanage in pursuit of their passions. But there’s a catch, to find out more you need to join us! Free refreshments will be provided.
July 17th, 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 17th, Thursday – Jamerson Retro Movie Night starting at 6:00 pm in the Library’s community room. When a seaside community finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police, a young marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Free refreshments will be provided!
July 18th, Friday – Dance Demo from Majestic Strength Dance Studio in Abbitt Park starting at 1:00 pm. Art is more than just paint! Join the Jamerson Memorial Library as they host a local dance studio for jumps, twirls and more!
July 22nd, 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!
July 23rd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Family Friendly Summer Reading Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the Library’s community room. All your favorite singing and dancing all-stars return in the definitive feel-good event of the year. The ever-optimistic koala and his cast have big dreams of staging their most dazzling show yet in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. Free refreshments!
July 23rd, Wednesday – Appomattox For Equality’s Open Discussion on how to be proactive for ourselves and our children’s health and improving our wellness and self-care. They will meet in the community room at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library (157 Main Street, Appomattox) starting at 7:00 pm. July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month; everyone is welcome to attend.
July 24th, 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 25th, Friday – Theater Workshop with the Jamerson Library starting at 1:00 pm. Join Sara from Longwood College and our own Library Fairy MaKayla at the Library for a theater workout! What do body stretches, tongue twisters, interactive stories, music, lighting and making a sock puppet have in common? The art of live theater! All ages are welcome to attend; this is a family-friendly event focused on the 2025 Summer Reading “Color Our World”.
July 29th, Tuesday – Wave Goodbye to Summer – Dress to get wet and meet the Jamerson Memorial Library in Abbitt Park from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm for a splashing good time! This is a family-friendly event to bid summer adieu!
August 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/.
August 8th, Friday – Hillcat’s SouthPaw to be at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library, in our community room from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Join SouthPaw for a Story & Craft Time at 2:00 pm, followed by a meet & greet. Parents, bring your cameras or phones, take photos and enjoy refreshments while meeting this famous green kitty! SouthPaw will be here to help celebrate the love of reading and the all-American game of baseball! Remember that you can earn a free baseball ticket to the Sunday, August 17th game, if you are a registered participant in our Summer Reading Program.
August 9th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Outlet Class for Adults (18+) starting at 11:00 am in the community room. Learn to blend oil pastels to create a Tree of Life artwork. You must be pre-registered to attend. You can register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration/ .
August 11th, 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!
August 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.
August 21st, Thursday – Jamerson Retro Movie Night starting at 6:00pm in the community room. Join the Library for a family-friendly film about a young boy who borrows a mysterious, ornately bound book, he never dreamed that turning a page would draw him into a shimmering fantasy world of racing snails, hang-glider bats, soaring luckdragons, puckish elves, a Childlike Empress, a brave warrior and a slab-faced walking quarry. Refreshments will be served.
August 23rd, Saturday – Jamerson Library to be at the Wolfswood Faire, hosted by Wolfbane Productions! All ye Lords, Ladies and peasants come seek us out in the woods as we participate in a fun filled day of medieval games, sword fights, live performances, music and dancing, but watch out for wolves! Look for our blue tent at 681 Country Club Road in Appomattox from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For information about the Wolfswood Faire visit the Wolfbane website at: https://www.wolfbane.org/wolfswood-faire .
August 26, Tuesday – Parent Support Group 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].
August 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.
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