Jamerson Library’s Think Beyond the Can outreach program is growing— You no longer need to register for this program, just come check out our new Little Free Food Pantry in the foyer! We invite you to support our neighbors in need by donating non-perishable food items or ‘Meal in a Bag’ kits. If you need assistance, please take what you need, with a limit of 3 items per family, per visit, to ensure there is enough to share.

Cheep, cheep for Peeps®! It is not too late to stop by the Library’s outside photo booth for selfies, family, friends and small group photos with a Peep® theme for Easter. For the last five months the Library staff has decorated around the bench, located at our front doors, to welcome community participation on Main Street.

Coming soon, checkoutable Bird Watching Kits for the family! Each kit contains: one pair of adult and one pair of child-sized binoculars with carrying cases and cleaning cloths, birds of North America identification cards, a notebook and pen set, and a Virginia State Park Pass. These kits must be checked out by an adult, with all linked accounts in good standing. Kits are considered a special checkout item, and a Special Checkout User Agreement form must be signed by the responsible adult. These kits are made available via the Flight Path Grant.

The Library hosted a group of adults for a private movie showing on Tuesday, March 31st, serving refreshment. This move was about an amazing and true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he and his two children move to the most unlikely of places: a zoo. With the help of an eclectic staff, and with many misadventures along the way, the family works to return the dilapidated zoo to its former wonder and glory. If your own small group or organization, of up to 20, want to have your own private movie showing don’t hesitate to call us, and make arrangements.

On Tuesday, March 31st, the Library went to the birds! Using interlocking building bricks patrons created small colorful birds while enjoying snacks. This program was sponsored by the Flight Path Grant.

No fooling around, the Library had a busy Wednesday, April 1st! We started the day with the launch of our Jamerson Library Seed Library. Patrons can come into the Library and get 3 items per family, per week, including: seeds, bare roots, bulbs, and other plant related items. The purpose of our Seed Library is to promote gardening, sustainability, beautification, local food security, a sense of community, and the promotion of pollinators. Our Seed Library is currently located at the circulation desk. Patrons with extra gardening related items are encouraged to donate them to the Seed Library. The Library has several gardening beds and large pots located along the side of the building so that we can do our part to promote this important, fun, and interesting “dig” into gardening.

Also on Wednesday, County Administrator Susan Adams was our guest reader for our Family Story and Craft Hour. She read the book “Pete the Cat’s Wacky Taco Tuesday” by James Dean. It’s Tuesday, and Pete is hungry for delicious tacos. But the taqueria is closed! Pete has an idea—he and his family will make their own tacos, even if they don’t have the typical toppings. Will a scoop of creativity and a dollop of problem-solving be the right ingredients to save Taco Tuesday? The kids enjoyed making blue cats in tacos while enjoying jelly beans, a taco ingredient from the book, and juice. Our next Story & Craft Time will be hosted by Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.

A representative from Legal Aid presented an interactive seminar on Wage Garnishment and Debt Collection on Wednesday, April 1st. The next seminar will be on Wednesday, May 6th, staring at 2:00 in the Library’s conference room, to discuss unemployment benefits.

Also on Wednesday April 1st, Girls Who Code explored STEAM through building and programming a spider robot. Girls Who Code is a group dedicated to letting young women experience and learn more about STEAM oriented fields to build their confidence for the future. There is one more chance to join us for Girls Who Code before we take a summer break. Our last meeting of this school year is May 6th at 4:00 pm in the Community Room.

On Thursday, April 2nd, Library Director Cindy Scheu hosted a Bird Wreath Making Class for Adults teaching patrons how to turn bird seed, oats and cranberries into hangable wreaths to feed our native and migrating birds and winter turns into spring.

It was a hopping good time on Saturday, April 4 for the Holliday Lake and Jamerson Library’s “Hop Into Spring” event. Beautiful spring weather brought out the Easter Bunny and many friends to enjoy games, crafts and other spring fun.

In celebration of Spring and the return of migrating birds, the Library is hosting a “Cleared for Takeoff: Free Bird Watching Raffle”, that consists of a Flight Path tote bag, bird safe coffee, water bottle, sticker, pen & notebook set, beaded parrot keychain, planter, and other assorted items. It is one entry per person, per visit. We will announce the winner on Thursday, April 30th.  This raffle is partially paid for by the Flight Path Grant.

The Library will be closed to the public on Friday, May 1st, for a professional development day. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our patrons. We will reopen on Saturday, May 2nd, 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.

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