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

Community Calendar

November 3rd, Monday– GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

November 4th, Tuesday – Library Closed in observance of Election day.

November 5th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

November 6th, Thursday – United Healthcare presents a 2026 Medicare Informational meeting at the Jamerson Library from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm to discuss the upcoming changes in Medicare.

November 10th, Monday – Bonnet Stitchers will meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies is encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

November 11th, Tuesday – Library Closed in observance of Veterans Day.

November 12, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

November 12th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Christmas Photos from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the community room. Family, friends, and small groups, bring your cameras or phones to have your photos taken against a Christmas fireplace backdrop surrounded by a Christmas tree and other props. Well-behaved pets are welcome but must be kept in a crate or on leash until your scheduled appointment. Perfect for cards, screensavers, mugs, mouse pads, and more! A staff member will take photos. If you do not have a phone/camera, we will take pictures on your behalf and email them to you. Please call the Library at 434.352.5340 to reserve your time slot as appointment times are limited.

November 12th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club in the Library’s community room starting at 3:30 pm. This month’s book is “The Lake” by Natasha Preston. Esme and Kayla were once campers at Camp Pine Lake. Now they’re back as counselors-in-training. Esme and Kayla did something terrible when they were campers, a secret they had kept all these years. They get a message: The lake never forgets. The secret they’ve kept buried for so many years is about to resurface. Patrons 13 – 19 years of age can find out more by picking up a copy and joining us for the Teen Book Club.

November 13th, Thursday – Girls Who Code at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Girls Who Code is a club designed to help young women learn about science, technology, engineering and math and how they integrate into their everyday lives. The Jamerson GWC club welcomes new members from 3rd grade to 12th grade please register at https://www.jrjml.org/girlswhocoderegistration/.

November 13th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Book Club for Adults will meet in the Library’s community room at 5:30 pm. This month’s book is “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce. Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn’t seen or heard from in twenty years. Patrons 18+ years of age can find out more by picking up a copy and joining us for the Jamerson Library’s Book Club for Adults.

November 15th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 11:00 am in the community room. This month we will be introducing patrons 18+ years of age the art of scrapbooking and junk journaling. Just in time for the upcoming holidays, learn how to turn your photos and memorabilia into fun and crafty pages using fancy papers, stickers, glue, punches, and other embellishments to create your very own photo album / junk journal. You must be registered at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration/ to attend.

November 17th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

November 18th, Tuesday – United Healthcare presents a 2026 Medicare Information meeting at the Jamerson Library from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm to discuss the upcoming changes in Medicare.

November 18th, Tuesday – Library Board to meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 4:00 pm. These meetings are open to the public; this month the board will be accepting public comments and concerns.

November 19th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

November 19th, Wednesday – Humana Medicare Educational Seminar at the Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 5:30 pm. Calling all seniors who may be effected by the 2026 changes in Medicare. Get your questions answered and receive important information that may effect your future Medicare benefits.

November 20th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s After School Crafts With MaKayla (Bad Art, Thanksgiving Edition) in the Library’s community room starting at 4:00 pm. This month’s Bad Art challenge will be to create a turkey with a selection of traditional and unique supplies.

November 20th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Family Retro Movie Night starting at 6:00 pm in the Library’s community room. This movie is inspired by a short story about a high-society woman in late-1800’s New York. When her estranged daughter becomes ill and is too proud to ask her mother for assistance, the granddaughter takes it upon herself to contact her grandmother and plead for help. Upon the daughter’s arrival, it causes an upheaval in many lives but may also lead to reconciliation within the family.

November 22nd, Saturday – Jamerson Library Christmas Photos from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm in the community room. Family, friends and small groups bring your cameras or phones to have your photos taken against a Christmas fireplace backdrop surrounded by a Christmas tree and other props. Well-behaved pets are welcome but must be kept in a crate or on leash until your scheduled appointment. Perfect for cards, screensavers, mugs, mouse pads and more! Photos will be taken by a staff member, if you do not have a phone / camera we will take photos on your behalf, and email them to you. Please call the Library at 434.352.5340 to reserve your time slot as appointment times are limited.

November 24th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

November 26th, Wednesday – The Library will be closing at 12:00 pm in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be no Story & Craft Tim on this day.

November 27th, Thursday to November 28, Friday the Library will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.