It was a busy week at the Library, as we get ready to wrap up our 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”. On Tuesday, July 15th an employee introduced the book “Music is in Everything” by Ziggy Marley as a part of the Summer Reading Story, Craft & Activity Time. A picture book based on his popular song celebrating music’s many forms, from the sounds of ocean waves to laughter in the family kitchen. The kids got into the grove and made their own music shakers using plastic containers, pom poms, sequins, and of course beads while enjoying snacks. The activity was to play the board game The Game of Life, one of the kids pulled the Librarian career card!

On Wednesday, July 16th the Library hosted a movie about an Eleven-year-old orphan who 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. We had a nice crowd that enjoyed refreshments while watching the movie.

On Thursday, July 17th the Library introduced the book “Can You Dance Like A Peacock?” written by Rekha S. Rajanhe for the Summer Reading Story, Craft & Activity Time. Learn about animals and get grooving with this fun and lively picture book from a renowned STEAM expert and arts educator! Can YOU dance like a peacock? Stand up straight, fluff your feathers, stretch your neck, and STRUT STRUT STRUT! Discover the amazing ways that animals use movement to communicate! The kids enjoyed snacks while making fancy fans using construction paper, sticky gems, and ribbons and danced their way around the community room performing dances of different animals. If you are interested in this book it will be available for checkout soon.

Also on Thursday the Library presented the first summer blockbuster film about a seaside community that 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. Yes, of course we served snacks! Nothing like watching a movie about a shark that munchies his way across the screen while munching on your own snacks!

On Friday, July 18th the Library hosted the young ladies from Majestic Strength LLC of Farmville, to take center stage in Abbit Park, for a dance demonstration. Majestic Strength believes in the transformative power of dance, not only as a physical art form but also as a catalyst for mental and emotional well-being. To find out more about Majestic Strength and their philosophy of the belief that dance should be a safe space for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity please visit their website at: https://www.majesticstrengthllc.com/ .

Dunnnn dunnn…… dun dun…. Dun dun dun dun…..and the winners of this year’s Shark Week Raffle are Peggie Johnson, Adrian Scruggs, Colem Lee, Kylie Martin and Abigail Page! Yes, we had so much shark-related stuff that we created five winners! For over a decade the Library has celebrated Shark Week by hosting a shark week raffle. We would like to thank Sue Hamlett of Pamplin for supporting this raffle through her generous donation of shark-related items.

Don’t forget to “dress to get wet” on Tuesday, July 29th, for a “Wave Goodbye to Summer” party! Meet the Library staff in Abbitt Park for some water-themed fun from 12:00 pm to 3:00pm for a splashing good time!

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!

Enjoy the Perseid Meteor shower by checking out the telescope at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library! Did you know that the Library owns a Zhumell Z114 telescope that is available as one of our “special checkout”? These “special checkout” items may include, but are not limited to, equipment, books, tools, DVDs, devices, and other materials that can be checked out under one barcode. You are allowed one “special checkout” at any given time for 1 week with 1 renewal (if the item is not on hold) to patrons 18 years of age or older with a library account in good standing. Some “special checkout” items may come with a limited quantity of supplies for patrons to use, such as paper, yarn, thread, or other materials, as a courtesy, and only when supplies are available. To find out more about the Perseid meteor shower visit NASA at: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/perseids/ .

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

Community Calendar

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, 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 19th, Tuesday – Understanding Alzheimer’s Meeting starting at 3:00 pm in the Jamerson Library’s community room. This month’s theme is Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior. Gain valuable insights into understanding behaviors linked with dementia. Explore typical triggers for these behaviors and discover effective strategies to assess the individual’s requirements. Learn how to intervene in a manner that promotes their well-being and quality of life. Equip yourself with practical knowledge that empowers you to provide better care and support for those affected by dementia. Join us in this educational session and make a positive difference in the lives of others. This program is sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association of of Central and Western Virginia.

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 participant 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 26th, 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.