It is that time of the year again! Summer Reading and a Shark Week Raffle. Sue Hamlett loves Shark Week, and she loves sharing the fun of Shark Week with the Library! She has once again donated shark swag (as she calls it) so that the Library may host a Shark Week Raffle! For over a decade Mrs. Hamlett has been donating items for this annual and much-anticipated raffle. It is one entry per person per visit. We will announce the winners of the raffle on Thursday, July 17th, just in time for SHARK WEEK! In celebration of Shark Week, the Library will have special Summer Reading Prizes that week!
It is not to late to join us for a world of art and fun as we dive into the 2025 Summer Reading Program “Color Our World”! You must be registered and submit your reading logs online using Beanstack as we are taking a more environmentally friendly approach to this year’s record keeping. To register download the Beanstack App on the Apple Store or Google Play. Search for the Jamerson Library and sign up each participant by following the instructions and answering a few simple questions on the App.
On Tuesday, June 10th it was about books, crafts and activities for an afternoon of fun. Library Fairy MaKayla introduced the book “A Dress With Pockets” written by Lily Murray and illustrated by Jenny Lovlie. Lucy and Aunt Augusta are dress shopping. And, at the Fabulous Fashion Store, there are dresses to suit just about everyone. There are fancy dresses, frilly dresses, stripy dresses, silly dresses, sun dresses, fun dresses, blue dresses, green… But Lucy doesn’t care about frills or lace. She wants a dress WITH POCKETS. And as she wades through the titchy dresses, witchy dresses, very, very itchy dresses, she starts to worry about where she’s going to put her leaves, and nettles, and delicate petals, her magical spells and beautiful shells… The hunt is on: will Lucy find the dress of her dreams? The kids accessorized the making a variety of pipe cleaner and pony bead bracelets, enjoyed outdoor activities, and enjoyed refreshments. This book is now available for checkout in the Library.
On Wednesday, June 11th the Library hosted the first of our Family Summer Reading Story & Craft Times. MaKayla read the book “Picture Book By Dog” written by Michael Relth. A clever tale (or tail) about a dog’s journey from being lost to found — from shelter to home. . The kids enjoyed cupcakes and juice while creating a backpack homage of their favorite pet, using fabric markers, be it a cat, dog, snake, or a fantasy creature. Every family received a copy of the book to take home. Our next Family Summer Reading Story & Craft Time will be on Wednesday, July 9 starting at 11:00 am. You must be pre-registered to attend. You can register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/kids-program-registration/ .
On Wednesday June 11th the Library featured a Summer Reading Family-Friendly Movie about a colorful, modern-day fairytale filled with fashion, friends and fun! This famous fashion icon and her dog jet off to visit her aunt’s amazing fashion house in Paris, and much to her surprise it’s about to be shut down forever.
On Thursday, June 12 the Library hosted a Summer Reading book, craft and activity afternoon. Patrons enjoyed the book “Mary Had a Little Glam” by Tammi Sauer. There’s a new glamour queen in town! Mary’s number one goal for her new year at school is to look absolutely fabulous. Mary learns that sometimes less is more in this fast-paced rhyming book full of fun and fashion. This book is available for checkout. The kids enjoyed snacks while creating hanging wall art using yarn, beads and a pencil.
On Saturday, June 14th the Library was a guest vendor at James River State Park’s Batteaux & Banjos from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The rumors were true, Bigfoot stopped by for photos at the Library’s photo booth! The Library was asked to provided something pre-civil war related, so we prepared whirligig kits using buttons and yarn. Whirligig toys, also known as buzzers or buzzsaws, have a history spanning centuries throughout various cultures. They are simple, spinning toys often made from readily available materials. They were also a popular toy in Colonial America, with examples being found in early American town and military camp sites. The Library also gave away children’s books, bubbles, craft projects, library-related materials and more. This Library loves community outreach and passing out information about all we offer.
In observance of Juneteenth the Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, June 20th, starting at 9:30 am. The book depository, located at the back of the building, will remain open during this time.
On Friday, June 20th the Library will be a guest vendor at the Appomattox For Equality’s Juneteenth celebration “Building on the Promise for Freedom for All”. Look for our blue tent at the Caver-Price Culture Center (426 Patricia Ann Lane, Appomattox) from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm to get the latest edition of our newsletter, library-related information, bubbles, Juneteenth bracelets, craft projects and more!
Squirm the Bookworm continues to grow! Join the Jamerson Memorial Library and Appomattox Rocks in this fun and interactive community project by painting your rocks to add to Squirm! We encourage you to seal your rocks with a spray or paint-on sealant to help keep them looking colorful in the weather. Please take photos, but don’t take the rocks, and tag the Library and Appomattox Rocks on your social media pages! Even the Sunflowers a volunteer planted are starting to grow!
In observance of Independence Day the Library will be closed on Friday, July 4, and well reopen for normal business hours on Saturday, July 5 starting at 9:30 am. Our bookdrop, located at the back of the building, will remain open during this time.