July is named to honor Roman dictator Julius Caesar. In 46 BC, he made one of his greatest contributions to history: With the help of Sosigenes, he developed the Julian calendar, the precursor to the Gregorian calendar that we use today. July’s birthstone is the ruby, and the flower is the sunflower. Some observances in July are: Fireworks Safety Month, Get Ready For Kindergarten Month, National Grilling Month, Tour de France Month, National Zoo Keeper Week (20th-26th), Made In The USA Day (2nd), Fourth of July or Independence Day (4th), Make Your Own Sundae Day (11th), World Orca Day (14th), Fortune Cookie Day (20th), Buffalo Soldiers Day (28th) and Global Tiger Day (29th).

Since July’s flower is the sunflower it would be the perfect time to stop by the library and get a pack of sunflower seeds from our seed library! Each household will be able to request up to 3 packets of seeds/bulbs/bareroots per week, when available. Grow with us by growing some sunflowers! Each packet will contain either a single kind or a mix of bulbs, bareroots, vegetables, herbs, wildflowers, decorative flowers, plants, and more.

It is predicted that for the next several weeks that central Virginia will face near record highs. We encourage you to come to the Library as a safe and cool space to hang out with your family and friends. We have puzzles, computers, board games, an interactive table, coloring books and crayons, crafts, magazines and more for you to enjoy. For patrons without air conditioning it is important that you stay cool during this heatwave.

Looking for something new to do? Check out our many “special checkout” items. 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.

On Tuesday, June 24th Library Fairy and employee MaKayla introduced the book “Be A Maker” by Katey Howes. Rhyme, repetition, and a few seemingly straightforward questions engage young readers in a discussion about the many things we make―and the ways we can make a difference in the world. This simple, layered story celebrates creativity through beautiful rhyming verse and vibrant illustrations with a timely message. Patrons became architects and contractors by creating blueprints for their dream home designs using colored paper and Legos while enjoying snacks. If you are interested in “Be A Maker” it will be available for checkout soon.

On Wednesday, June 25th the Library hosted a group of adults that needed a safe and cool place to enjoy their lunch while on their outing. We welcomed them out of the heat and into our community room as a part of our outreach to better serve Appomattox and beyond.

Also on Wednesday the Library hosted our Summer Reading Afternoon Matinee featuring a family-friendly movie about big changes brewing in the city. If our hero wants to save the city from a hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe learn to lighten up.

On Thursday, June 26th the Library hosted a private group for a movie about the soaring adventures of a 13-year-old girl and her estranged father who learn what family is all about when they adopt an orphaned flock of geese and teach them to fly! Yes, we served snacks! If your own group would like to have a private educational program, story, movie or craft time please feel free to contact us, we love community outreach!

Also on Thursday the Library hosted our Summer Reading Story, Craft & Activity program. A Library employee introduced the book “Collaboration Station” by Shannon Olsen, a colorful picture book that’s all about working together as a TEAM at school! Kids played the roll of an inventor by drawing out designs and using k’nex building pieces to bring their creations to life, enjoyed snacks and played “stack attack” a building block inspired game. If you are interested in the book, it will be available for checkout soon.

In observance of Independence Day, the Library will be closed on Friday, July 4th, and will reopen for normal business hours on Saturday, July 5th, starting at 9:30 am. Our book drop, located at the back of the building, will remain open during this time.

Dunnnnn dun……. Dunnnnn dun…… dun dun dun dunnnnnn SHARK WEEK starts on Sunday, July 20th, and the Library loves to celebrate all positive things shark-related! Don’t forget to enter your name into our Shark Week Raffle! For patrons who earn prizes in our Summer Reading Program, special shark grab bags will be available starting Monday, July 21st.

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
        King Kong Triple Feature
        Madagascar
        Princess Bride

Community Calendar

July 1st, 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/.

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 8th, 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 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.

July 9th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Summer Reading Family Story & Craft Time starting at 11:00 am in Abbitt Park. Join the Library for a family-friendly story with crafts and snacks. 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 will get to take home a copy of the book! Space is limited, you must be pre-registered for this event. You can register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/kids-program-registration/ .

July 9th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library Summer Reading Movie starting at 1:00pm in the Library’s community room. This movie is practically perfect in every way, about a famous nanny who flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. With the help of a carefree chimney sweep this spirited nanny turns every chore into a game and every day into a ”Jolly Holiday”. Refreshments will be served.

July 10th, 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 11th, Friday – Stanley and several members of the Jordan Baptist Youth Choir will be at the Library to demonstrate choir singing, harmony, and raise voices in unison to project the art of music starting at 1:00 pm.

July 12th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Outlet Classes for Adults in the community room starting at 11:00 am. Calling all green thumbs, and those that don’t have a green thumb! Learn to make the viral “String of Pearls” beaded potted plant. This program is for adults 18 +, space is limited and you must be pre-registered. You can register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult .

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 16th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library Summer Reading Family-Friendly Movie 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 served.

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 some smooth moves!

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 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

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!