Shark invasion 2026, Summer Reading, and Librarycation
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 Baked Beans Month, National Grilling Month, Fleet Week 2026 (New York): 3-8, Running of The Bulls (Spain): 7-14, SHARK WEEK: July 26 – August 1, Made In The USA Day: 2, Drop A Rock Day: 3 (aka Rock Painting), Fourth of July or Independence Day: 4, Chocolate Day: 7, National JELL-O Day: 12, Shark Awareness Day: 14 , National Hot Dog Day: 15 , Fortune Cookie Day: 20, Buffalo Soldiers Day: 28 and Global Tiger Day: 29, just to name a few.
Your local Library is the perfect place to take a librarycation! The Jamerson Library offers a free summer reading program, and the more you read the more prizes you will earn! We have other programs and events at least 3 days out of the week for both kids and adults. The Library is the coolest spot in town to come hang out, and we offer lots of options for your entertainment and educational needs. Can’t take a vacation? Don’t worry, we have you covered!
Dun dun…… dun dun…. dun dun dun dun……. Shark week and the Jamerson Library’s Shark Week Raffle are coming to a bookshelf near you! A HUGE thank you to Sue Hamlett for the donation of all the shark swag. Sue has been donating shark items annually for the much-anticipated Jamerson Library Shark Week Raffle. Sue loves Shark Week, and donates just for the sheer joy of spreading summer fun. Bruce, the Library’s very own shark, is back to supervise the raffle and take photos with patrons. So join the Library for this annual summertime raffle, and if you see Sue, be sure to thank her for her continued support of the Library. This year’s free shark week raffle theme is “Shark Invasion 2026”, patrons of all ages are welcome to enter. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, July 29th. It is one entry per person, per visit.
We didn’t let a little rain stop us from having a good time on Tuesday, June 23rd, for our BAC (Book, Activity & Craft) to the Library day! We had a nice crowd as Library Fairy MaKayla introduced the book The Berenstain Bears: Dinosaur Dig” by Jan & Mike Berenstain. She introduced the kids to an archaeology adventure as they dug for fossils aka plastic dinosaur that they got to keep, and illustrated their own personal dino dig story, while enjoying snacks.
The Library has been working with the Appomattox Adult Education Center’s GED Outreach, seeing a noticeable increase in patrons seeking services to obtain their GED. On Tuesday, June 23rd, Doriane Mills was in the Library to answer questions and set up appointments for testing and other services for those seeking to extend their potential by acquiring their GED. Doriane will be at the Library on Tuesday, June 30 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for those also pursuing their GED. She will be taking the month of July off and will resume her outreach services in late summer or early fall.
On Wednesday, June 24th, the Library presented a classic summer blockbuster movie. An amazing theme park on a remote island where dinosaurs once again roam the earth and five people must battle to survive among the prehistoric predators. Free snacks were provided to those that attended.
Also on Wednesday, the Library hosted Alexis Griffin from Griffin’s Garden, a micro flower farm hosting a flower sale as a fundraiser on behalf of the Library. If you missed the opportunity to support a local business and the Library, Griffin’s Garden will be returning on Wednesday, July 8th, selling fresh-cut flowers with a percentage of all sales going to support us, your local Library!
It was another dinosaur-infused Thursday on June 25th. We started off with a visit from the kids of Methodist Daycare for activity sheets and a dinosaur mask creation craft project. We followed up with another BAC (Book, Activity & Craft) to the Library afternoon. Library Fairy Queen MaKayla and Library Director Cindy presented the book “Danny and the Dinosaur and the Sand Castle Contest”. The kids got to sand pan for gems and fossils, taking home what they found, learning about a few basic hieroglyphics, all while enjoying snacks.
Thursday was wrapped up with a dinosaur summer blockbuster movie, complete with free refreshments.
On June 26th, the Jamerson Library hosted “Rodney’s Raptors”, an educational meet and greet program. Rodney and his Harris hawk Agnes talked about predatory birds, environmental concerns, working as a team, and answered questions while providing patrons with the opportunity to take photos.
Due to the predicted heat for the upcoming week, this is just a reminder that the Library is a cool spot to work on puzzles, play board games, make use of our interactive table, read books and magazines or use our public computers. In observance of the Independence Day Holiday, the Library will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, July 6th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop located at the back of the building will remain open at this time. Please do not leave library-owned materials on the free rack located at the main entrance. The Library is not responsible for materials left on this rack.
The Jamerson Library will present our Summer Reading Family Story & Craft Time in Abbitt Park starting at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 8th. Our guest reader will be Kaitlyn from Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District. She will read the books “Green Green: A Community Gardening Story” by Marie & Baldev Lamba, and “Alfred Blooms” by Carrie Kruck & Carmen Mok, followed by a craft and snacks. Each family will get to take a copy of the book of their choice home. You must be pre-registered to attend this event as space, books and supplies are limited. Please register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/kids-program-registration/, or in-person at the circulation desk.
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 and would like to highlight the following items:
DVDs
- Air Bud
Air Bud: Golden Receiver
Air Bud: World Pup
Criminal Minds: Season 10
The Undoing (HBO Limited Series)
HIM
Code 3
NUMB3RS: Season One
NUMB3RS: Season Two
NUMB3RS: Season Three