Rural Library, Large Impact: Raccoons, Ripples & Reading

Over 250 patrons entered the October “Jimothy Raffle”, and the lucky winner is Sue Waddell! The Library embraces being different, brave, unique and ourselves, following Jimothy’s example. Jimothy is a wild raccoon that veterinarians believe have a rare congenital condition called short-spine syndrome, which compresses his spine and gives him a round, compact body with no visible neck. Despite his appearance, he is active, mobile, and thriving in the wild, proving that humans and animals alike deserve understanding and compassion to prosper and thrive, principles this Library strongly believes in. Once again we would like congratulate Sue on being the winner of the Library’s Jimothy raffle.

Our very own rural library, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library, is causing HUGE ripples of positivity across the nation and beyond! Over the past few months, Director Cindy Scheu has shared the library’s successful activities and programs at conferences and in online presentations to several other libraries. She presented on Think Beyond the Can, the library’s shelf-stable meal kit initiative that grew into an ongoing food pantry in the library foyer, at the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference , and that presentation led to an invitation to speak online with staff from Horseshoe Regional Library of Alabama about how they might adapt the model for their own communities. Most recently, she spoke at the Virginia Library Association annual conference about the realities of serving as a library director, and she will soon take part in the Sister Thea Bowman Lecture Series on Social Justice in Library and Information Science hosted by The Catholic University of America, where she will continue sharing lessons from rural library leadership with the next generation of library professionals.

We would like to remind our patrons that we accept donations of non-perishable food items, personal care items, diapers, and other items year-round. During the colder season and holidays full of thankfulness, charity and good cheer it is important to share with those that are less fortunate. The Library has a free food pantry inside our foyer and a blessing box outside behind the statue, for patrons in need. As you do your own shopping please consider dropping off a donation to the front desk to help local families in need.

The Library also hosts a free rack, just outside our front doors, for patrons who have gently used small household items, clothes and other such useful stuff, to share with patrons who may be in need. This is a good way to bring in things you no longer need or want, and share with those who could make use of such belongings.

On Tuesday, October 27th, the Jamerson Library’s Director, Mrs. Cindy Scheu headed down the tracks for the Pamplin Story & Craft Time. Cindy featuring the following books “Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-picking Plan”, “The Roll-Away Pumpkin” and “The Pumpkin Thief”. The kids enjoyed snacks while making mosaic pumpkins using cardstock, construction paper and glue. The next Pamplin Story & Craft Time will be on Tuesday, November 10th, starting at 1:00 pm in the Pamplin Depot’s community space.

Also, on Tuesday with the Jamerson Library hosted their Cookbook Book Club. November’s theme was “No Bake Desserts”. Assistant Director Katharine Bloodworth presented preacher cookies for this event, a recipe she got off the internet as a part of showing those that attended that recipes are found in many places, including online. She has made extra copies of this recipe and you can pick one up, while supplies last, on the information table under the bulletin board, on the main floor of the Library. Our next Cookbook Book Club will be on Tuesday, November 22nd, starting at 5:30 pm. November’s theme is “Side Dishes”.

We wrapped up Tuesday with a visit from Dark Leaf Farms, as they presented the Library with a huge donation of pumpkins for two programs: Story & Craft Time and Read or Treat. Bruce Jones and his daughter Savannah rolled in two wheelbarrows full of pie pumpkins, the perfect size for painted pumpkins projects. A huge thank you to the Jones Family and Dark Leaf Farms for always supporting us at the Jamerson Memorial Library.

For the Wednesday, October 28’s Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time, Library Fairy Makayla read the books “Happy Halloween Stinky Face”, and “The Pumpkin Thief”. The kids enjoyed snacks while painting pumpkins that were donated to the Library by Dark Leaf Farms. Our next Jamerson Story & Craft time will be on Wednesday, November 4, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm, our guest reader will be James River State Park.

The kids from Methodist Daycare took their annual Halloween stroll around town on Thursday, October 29th, to stop by local businesses to Trick or Treat. The Library has been an active part of the fun for over a decade. We look forward every year to seeing the kids all dressed up as they meander down the sidewalks. Thanks to everyone in and around Main Street who generously participated.

Also, on Thursday the Library hosted Darrin Race’s homage to Houdini with a live magic show “A Tribute to Houdini”. It was a full house as patrons got to celebrate 100 years of Houdini’s legacy with history, mystery and magic! Darrin Race is a Las Vegas-based magician with a background influenced by mentor and fellow magician Lance Burton. Photos of this event and others are up on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/JamersonMemorialLibrary .

Through the magic of Halloween, a family car was turned into a pirate ship! The Library was a guest vendor for the Friday, October 30’s Pamplin Trunk or Treat! Library Director and Pirate Captain Cindy Scheu was on hand with a “volunteer” pirate minion to pass out candy, bubbles and the latest edition of the Library’s newsletter.

MaKayla the Library’s resident library fairy was still riding her broom on Saturday, October 31st, for the Jamerson Library’s Read & Treat! The Library hosted Halloween games, pumpkin painting, free books and snacks! This event was open to all ages, welcoming individuals and families to join in the spooky fun.

Being a pirate Queen and Captain was so much fun that Cindy and her minion sailed to the Prospect Fire Department’s Trunk or Treat on Saturday for another round of candy, bubbles and Library Newsletters. The Library tries hard to participate in local events in and around Appomattox to get the word out about Library programs and services. If you are hosting a vendor event and would like the Jamerson Library to join please feel free to contact us.

November is National Gratitude Month, a special time to focus on thankfulness, positive thinking, and community appreciation. To celebrate, the library has placed a white board near the community bulletin board. Patrons are invited to fill out a paper feather and share something they are grateful for. This collaborative display is a warm, friendly reminder to reflect on the simple things in life that bring us joy.

Adventure with the Jamerson Memorial Library in its final math celebration of the year, Fibonacci month (November 2nd through 21st). We will be having a spiral hunt in the library with the winner being announced on Fibonacci day, November 23rd. Please visit the library for more information and to enter. This program is sponsored by the Infinite Sums Grant.

In observance of Election Day, the Library will be closed on Tuesday, November 3rd. We will reopen for normal business hours on Wednesday, November 4th, starting at 9:30 am. The book depository located at the back of the building will remain open.

On Tuesday, November 10th, the Elves for the Elders Christmas tree ornaments are expected to arrive at the Library. You can select an ornament off the tree to help provide a local senior citizen with a very Merry Christmas. Each ornament represents a local elder neighbor in need and their wish list. You do not have to buy everything off the list, and it is just a suggested list. You can purchase whatever your heart tells you to.

If you do not wish to select an ornament, but wish to participate, you can donate an item (or two) so that elders whose ornaments that were not selected, or returned, can still get gifts for Christmas.

If you are a United States veteran, or are currently serving, we invite you to a Veterans Coffee & Donuts inside the Library’s community room from noon to 5:00 pm on Monday, November 9th. Feel free to bring your families! Library staff will be offering fresh hot coffee and sugar-covered donuts to show our acknowledgment and apperception to those who have served.

The Library will also be closed on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Thursday, November 12th, starting at 9:30am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

Community Christmas Tree on behalf of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church is an outreach for local families with kids (preschool through high school) who need help providing Christmas cheer. Starting on Monday, November 16th, the Library will start collecting new and gently used items on behalf of St. Anne’s to support their mission of helping local families during the holiday season. The Library has been participating in this program for over two decades, helping support our local comments through collaboration with a local church.

Calling all animal lovers! The Jamerson Library and the Appomattox Animal Shelter is hosting a Cat Cafe on Saturday, November 21st, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea and meet some cats and kittens that are currently available for adoption. Find a new friend to cuddle, and provide love and warmth to a cat or kitten (or two) in search of a fur-ever home. The Library will accept donations of pet food, toys, flat boxes, cat litter, blankets & towels (used or new) and other pet-related items on behalf of the Animal Shelter.

The Library will be closed on Wednesday, November 25th, through Saturday, November 28th, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, November 30th, 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