Community Service and Think Beyond the Can at Your Local Library

The J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library was saddened to hear about the passing of William “Bill” Jamerson, brother to J. Robert Jamerson, who’s name graces our door. The Jamerson Family has been a huge and positive influence on Appomattox and beyond. The Library has donated 15 children’s books to Grace Hills Day Care in honor and memory of Bill Jamerson, the day care he started. The Library staff wishes the daycare continued success on the foundation of faith and family values that the Jamerson Family instilled in their support of Grace Hills.

Photo Left to Right Lisa Dawson, Leslie Galloway (Grace Hill’s Day Care Director) and Cindy Scheu (Library Director). Cindy from the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library dropped off over a dozen new children’s book to Grace Hill’s Day Care Center in memory and honor of William “Bill” Jamerson.

In light of recent events, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library reaffirms its commitment to serving and supporting our community. As the holiday season approaches, the Library invites community members to participate in our “Think Beyond The Can”, Meal in a Bag donation drive to assist local families in need. We welcome donations of Meal in a Bag Kits, which will be distributed to households throughout our community to help ensure that every family has access to a warm and nourishing meal during the holidays. Donations may be delivered to the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library during regular operating hours. If you would like to participate, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library will be handing out gallon sized zipper bags with recipe cards in them so that all you have to do is fill the bag and return it to the library. For a list of suggested items and sample recipes, please visit our website at: https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc/ to view the Meal in a Bag recipe cards. Your participation and generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors this season. If you cannot donate a full Meal in a Bag kit, you are encouraged to drop off cans and boxes of staples and the Library will complete the kits. We suggest cans of vegetables (mixed veggies, corn, green beans, peas, etc.), chicken or beef stock, cans of chicken or tuna, bags or boxes of rice and pasta, cans of sauce, packets of spices, shelf stable milk, bouillon cubes, cans of soup, just add water mixes of pancakes, cookies, or other mixes, cans of beans, chili, Spam, and other such items. Anything leftover will go to St. Anne’s food pantry.

Our first large monetary donation toward “Think Beyond The Can” was a generous gift from Women of the Moose #2447 (Appomattox)! The Library’s director spoke at the November’s Women of the Moose’s meeting about the important role the Library plays in community outreach, including to help offset food insecurities in Appomattox. We would like to thank these ladies for seeing the value of supporting the Library and this County through this much-needed local program of goodwill to help take care of our neighbors, families, and friends.

The winners of the “Don’t Fear the Reader” t-shirt raffle are Lisa Lizotte, Levi Caskey, and Cynthia Ford! We would like to congratulate them on being our winners. Throughout the year the Library likes to offer free raffles for our patrons as a fun way to keep our patrons engaged in their local Library. Watch us Grow!

It was Teen Craft Day on Tuesday, October 28th, Library Fairy MaKayla challenged the teens to make Lego haunted house builds, while enjoying snacks. We are always looking to expand our programs and the minds of our patrons. If you would like to make a suggestion for a program or a topic for an existing program please feel free to tell us!

For the Wednesday, October 29th’s Story and Craft Time Library Fairy MaKayla rode in on her broom to introduce the book “Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete” by James Dean. Pumpkins, candy, and costumes! Follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating from house to house and discovers what is waiting behind each door. The kids enjoyed decorating their own draw string backpacks into Halloween Trick or Treat bags.

On Thursday, October 30th, the Library was a guest vendor at the Appomattox Elementary School’s Fall Festival. Employees read books, did Halloween and Fall inspired crafts, handed out Library information, and gave away books and bubbles! We love doing community outreach and highlighting all the services we offer.

It’s a ghost, it’s a ghoul, it’s a goblin! No, it’s Methodist Daycare trick or treaters coming down Main Street and making a stop at the Library! This annual tradition of kids in costumes livening up downtown is always a welcome sight. The Library staff looks forward every year to being able to pass out treats and be a part of the fun!

In observation of Election Day, the Library will be closed on Tuesday, November 4th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Wednesday, November 5th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

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

In observation of the Thanksgiving Holiday the Library will be closed from Wednesday, November 26th, through Friday, November 28th. We will reopen normal business hours on Saturday, November 29th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop, 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.

The Library receives a steady supply of new and donated items; we would like to highlight the following DVDs:

• Sleeping Beauty (Walt Disney)
• Pets / Pets 2
• Green and Gold
• Fly Away Home
• Wicked
• Dog Man
• Sneaks