The weather might be cooling off, but the Library is running hot with lots of programs, new books, and outreach. Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms, pick up a monthly newsletter at the circulation desk, visit our website, or look for our weekly newspaper article, “As The Page Turns” on the online newspaper The Appomattox Times for the latest updates, upcoming events and more.

November is National Gratitude Month, with 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, (through the 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 the hunt. This program is sponsored by the Infinite Sums Grant.

On Monday, November 2nd, the ladies of Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers met up at the Library for crocheting, knitting, and embroider work, while enjoying some good conversation. If you are interested in joining them, they will meet next on Monday, November 16th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Library’s community room.

James River State Park was our guest reader for the Wednesday, November 4th’s Story & Craft Time. Ranger Weston read the book, “The Beavers’ Busy Year” by Mary Holland. Along a stream, a dam pops out of the water. Beavers are busy at work! These aquatic mammals have unique traits that aid them in building the perfect lodge to raise young beavers and keep predators away. Do these beavers ever take a break? Follow along as they pop through the winter ice to begin the busy year of eating bark, building dams, and gathering food just in time for winter to come again. The kids enjoyed snacks and juice while creating a paper bag beaver puppets. Our next Jameson Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, November 18th, in the Library’s community room at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Our guest reader will be Holliday Lake State Park.

Also on Wednesday, the Library hosted Virginia Legal Aid Society for an interactive seminar on, “Getting Sued, Now What?”. Their next forum at the Library will be on Wednesday, December 2 at at 2:00 pm in the Library’s community room. December’s topic of discussion will be “Repairs and Maintenance of Rental Property”.

Jamerson Library’s Girls Who Code program met on Wednesday with an introduction to Fibonacci math using spirals with buttons, gems and other embellishments. Our next Girls Who Code Club will on Wednesday, December 2nd, starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room.

We wrapped Wednesday up with guest journal creator Valerie York as she turned stories, poems, stickers, craft paper, stamps, markers, punches and other embellishments into treasured memories.

On Thursday, the Library hosted CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in the community room for a public informational meeting. CASA is a national nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in juvenile court proceedings.

Also on Thursday, the Library rose to the occasion as we hosted Adrian Gilbert’s “Introduction to Sourdough Bread” in the Library’s Community Room. Attendees learn how to make sourdough starter, getting hints and tips on baking up some of the best bread you have ever tried. Adrian will return to the Library on Tuesday, December 1st, starting at 6:00 pm for an introduction to “Cookie Decorating 101”. This program is intended for adults and you must be pre-registered at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration to attend.

November might be just getting started, but we are already getting ready for the winter holidays with some decorations to help promote some local outreach donation collaborations with the Library.

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 and other pet-related items on behalf of the Appomattox Animal Shelter. You can drop off donations at the circulation desk.

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

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