Rain, Heat & Library Programs

The heat wave hasn’t slowed down the Library staff as we plowed through another busy week of fun. If you need a cool place to hang out, we have games, an interactive table, magazines, computers with internet, puzzles, activity sheets and more inside the Library. You can check out books, DVDs, and get a craft-project-to-go to take home with you. If you don’t feel like leaving the house, we have a lot of online educational and entertainment options online at www.jrjml.org.

Don’t forget that ACLA (Appomattox County Library Association) has a Library Store at our circulation desk. All proceeds from the sale of these items goes to support the Library and the many programs and events that the Jamerson Library offers to the public.

On Monday, July 6th, the ladies from Sun Bonnet Sue had a full group in the Library’s community room to meet up for crocheting, knitting, quilting and other fiber crafts, good conversation, and an exchange of lessons, patterns, and ideas. If you are interested in sharing or learning, please join them on Monday, July 17th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Library’s community room.

On Tuesday, July 7th, the Jamerson Library presented the first Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time! The Library Director, Mrs. Cindy Scheu, was at Pamplin Depot to present an assortment of dog-related books. Those that attended enjoyed snacks while making a dog silhouette using markers and torn pages from recycled books.

Also on Tuesday, was Pamplin Depot Creative Class for adults. Attendees created butterfly and bird decoupage decor using wooden blocks, recycled book pages, markers, origami paper and clear craft glue. Our next Pamplin Depot Creative Class for Adults will be on Tuesday, August 4, featuring “Iris Folding”, a papercraft technique where folded strips of colored or patterned paper are layered in a spiraling, geometric pattern. Originating in the Netherlands, it gets its name because the finished design resembles the spiraling iris of a camera lens.

We wrapped Tuesday up with a BAC (Book, Activity & Craft) to the Jamerson Library. Library Fairy MaKayla presented the book “Dinky the Tinysaur” by Maggie Edkins Willis. The kids enjoyed snacks while creating their own prehistoric silhouette art using crayons, markers and other embellishments, and practicing their best dinosaur impressions dictated by the roll of the dice.

We didn’t let the threat of severe weather hold back Family Story & Craft Time on Wednesday, July 8th. We met up in the Library’s community room. Katelin from the Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District was our guest reader, and she introduced the book “Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm” by Lindsay H. Metcalf. The kids enjoyed snacks while painting their own terracotta pots and picking out either a flower or vegetable pack of seeds, provided by the Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District. Each family was provided with a new copy of either the featured book, or a choice of “Green Green: A Community Gardening Story” by Marie Lamba and Baldev Lamba, or “Alfred Blooms” by Carrie Kruck and Carmen Mok by the Jamerson Library. Watch us grow and grow with us!

It was another Griffin’s Garden’s Library Fundraiser at the Jamerson Library on Wednesday, July 8th. Alexis was there with an assortment of dried flowers, crafts, cards and bookmarks. We want to thank Griffin’s Garden for supporting this Library and promoting a local business. If you have a local business you would like to promote while hosting a fundraiser for the Library please feel free to reach out to Director Cindy Scheu. This Library plays an important role in community outreach, and support patrons well-being with lots of programs, events, and other educational and entertainment options. Many of these events are paid for by grants and donations. You can support the Library and a local business by supporting Library fundraisers.

For the Jamerson Library Summer Blockbuster Movie Matinee on Wednesday, July 8th, the Library featured a movie about a young man who begins a journey that will change the galaxy. Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, our hero is thrust into the struggles of the Rebel Alliance when he meets his mentor, who has lived for years in seclusion on a desert planet, beginning his journey to chance the balance of the force.

We wrapped up Wednesday with the Jamerson Library Adult Book Club. This month’s book was “The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center. Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter and full-time caretaker for her dad, finally gets her big break: rewriting a script for her idol, Charlie Yates. But Charlie is arrogant, dismissive, and doesn’t even care about the project – he just wants it greenlit so he can move on. Worst of all, he thinks love is a scam. Emma refused to back down, fighting for herself, rom-coms, and love itself- until an accidental kiss complicates everything and the line between fiction and real life starts to blur. Our next Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club will be Wednesday, August 12, starting at 5:30 pm, featuring the book “The Queens of Crime” by Marie Benedict. London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment. Copies of this August’s book are available at the circulation desk.

On Thursday, July 9th, the Jamerson Library welcomed the kids of Methodist Day Care for a dino-tastic time! We had several dinosaur-themed activity sheets, a selection of dinosaur crafts, and foam flying dinosaur gliders to assemble. The Library has been hosting the kids every Thursday since the start of summer through July, just one of the many outreach programs we host.

Thursday was wrapped up with another huge BAC (book, activity and craft) to the Library event. MaKayla featured the book “Pete the Cat: Cavecat Pete” by James Dean. The kids enjoyed snacks while creating their own Jurassic-themed artwork using cutout dinosaurs, paint sticks, crayons and colored pencils, and assembled Lego® brick dinosaurs. Each child got to take home their own building brick dinosaur to make.

The Library hosted a private group of adults on Friday, July 10th, who needed a quiet and safe place to gather for a movie showing. We served snacks and juice as we welcomed them out of the heat and into the cool for a morning of entertainment. If your group, organization, or club is interested in such programs, please reach out to the Library director.

The rain held off just long enough on Friday for the Jamerson Library’s Dino Academy by Bright Star Theater! We had several families show up as we stomped our way through stegosaurs to clever velociraptors, in this interactive journey that brought the ancient world to life! This program was part of the 2026 Summer Reading Program “Unearth a Story”.

Summer Reading ends on Friday, July 31st! This will be the last day that you can submit your minutes read on the Beanstack app or in-person at the Library. After this date, the Library will not be accepting any submissions. Saturday, August 8th, will be the last day that you can redeem your tickets for prizes. There are no exceptions to these dates.

Friday, July 31st, is also a day to “dress to get wet” as we say goodbye to the Summer Reading Program and hello to the the start of the new school year. Meet us in Abbitt Park from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a splashing good time with a huge waterslide, bubbles, games, vendors, and lots of fun! Don’t forget to bring a t-shirt to tie-dye!

As a part of our community outreach, the Library is maintaining a small food pantry in our foyer. Patrons in need are allowed to get 3 items per day. Patrons interested in donating items are welcome to bring donations to the front desk.

Get ready for your future with a free resume help desk, hosted by Virginia Career Works at the Jamerson Library on Tuesday, August 4th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. If you need help with an existing resume, or have questions about how to build an eye-catching resume you are encouraged to come meet Tim Saunders in the Library’s community room. It is suggested that if you already have a resume that you bring a copy of it with you. This free service is to help patrons prepare for the upcoming Job Fair at the Appomattox CVCC campus, on August 12th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

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:

DVDs

• Scorpion – Season 3
• Scorpion – Season 4, The Final Season
• Criminal Minds – Season 11
• Criminal Minds – Season 12
• Criminal Minds – Season 13
• Criminal Minds – Season 14
• Criminal Minds – Season 15 (The Final Season)

Community Calendar

July 14th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Book, Activity & Craft (BAC) Day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Library’s community room. The Library will feature a dinosaur-themed book, dino-riffic bookmarks. Join us for free snacks, and earn a brag tag for attending.

July 14th, Tuesday – Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book for children preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

July 14th, Tuesday – Pamplin Depot Adult Book Club hosted by the Jamerson Memorial Library 3:00pm. This month’s book is “The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center. Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter and full-time caretaker for her dad, finally gets her big break: rewriting a script for her idol, Charlie Yates. But Charlie is arrogant, dismissive, and doesn’t even care about the project – he just wants it greenlit so he can move on. Worst of all, he thinks love is a scam. Emma refused to back down, fighting for herself, rom-coms, and love itself- until an accidental kiss complicates everything and the line between fiction and real life starts to blue. Copies of this month’s book are available at the Pamplin Town Office.

July 14th, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Library 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

July 15th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Summer Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the Library’s community room. The roguish yet charming Captain’s idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis steals his ship, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor’s beautiful daughter.

July 16th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Book, Activity & Craft (BAC) Day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Library’s community room. The Library will feature a dinosaur-themed book, dinosaur gardens, and dino stomp. Join us for free snacks, and earn a brag tag for attending.

July 17th, Friday – Jamerson Library presents the Amazing Mr. B “Digging up Wonder” magic show starting at 1:00 pm. Join magician Amazing Mr. B for his Digging Up Wonder show — a dino-sized adventure where ancient mysteries meet modern magic! With fossils, fun, and a few surprising twists, this show unearths the thrill of discovery. Perfect for curious kids, budding paleontologists, and anyone who loves a good laugh!

July 20th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to 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 are 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!

July 21st, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Book, Activity & Craft (BAC) Day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Library’s community room. The Library will feature a dinosaur-themed book, tangram dinosaurs, and dig for treasure. Join us for free snacks, and earn a brag tag for attending.

July 21st, Tuesday – Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book for children preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

July 22nd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Summer Movie starting at 1:00 pm in the community room. A futuristic team of unlikely superheroes protect the galaxy from danger.

July 23rd, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Book, Activity & Craft (BAC) Day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Library’s community room. The Library will feature a dinosaur-themed book, dinosaur dirt cups, and hot dinosaur egg. Join us for free snacks, and earn a brag tag for attending.

July 24th, Friday – Special Story Time starting at 11:00 am at the Jamerson Library. Join Virginia mother and daughter author duo Rachel and Jordan Arnette as they present their book “Jojo’s Journey: Let’s go to Kindergarten”. Join Jojo as she begins her exciting journey into kindergarten! Jojo is both nervous and curious as she steps onto the school bus for the very first time. With the help of her loving parents and her teacher, Mrs. Wish, Jojo learns that being brave opens the door to fun, friendship, and new adventures. From classroom games to making her very first best friend, Jojo discovers that kindergarten is a place where everyone belongs and every day is filled with something new to learn and love. Rachel and Jordan will be giving away free mini coloring books and offering copies of their book for sale.

July 28th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library presents Worm Farming and Composting Basics from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. This event is open to patrons of all ages. A worm farm is a sustainable, low-maintenance way to manage organic waste, while creating premium, nutrient-rich fertilizer. By processing kitchen scraps, worms divert waste from landfills and generate organic castings and liquid fertilizer that naturally promote plant health, soil aeration, and disease resistance. This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Grant.

July 28th, Tuesday – Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book for children preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

July 29th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Infinity Monsters Crafts for all ages starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Enjoy the endless options to create your own build-a-monster and snacks! This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Grant.

July 29th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 6:00 pm. Math matters including in nature and flowers! Join us in making an infinity flower art piece. You must be pre-registered to attend this event as supplies and space are limited. Please register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration . This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Grant.

July 30th, Thursday – Jamerson Library Infinity Kaleidoscope craft for patrons of all ages starting at 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Make and take your very own kaleidoscope, with free snacks! This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Grant.

July 30th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Air Clay Bowls Creative Class for Adults (Part 1) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm in the Library’s community room. Use your fingers and your imagination to create clay bowls. You must be pre-registered to attend this event as supplies and space are limited. Please register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration.

July 31st, Friday – Jamerson Library’s Final Splashdown in Abbitt Park! Join us as we say goodbye to the 2026 Summer Reading program with a splash! Dress to get wet and meet us in the park, next to the Library, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Don’t forget your towels and a change of clothes. There will be games, waterslides, bubbles and more. Bring a t-shirt for tie-dying!

AUGUST 2026

August 2nd, Sunday – Jamerson Library to join the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department for National Night Out from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Courtland Festival Park. Look for us under the blue tent for Library-related information, bubbles, craft projects, and body glitter tattoos.

August 3rd, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to 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 are 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!

August 4th, Tuesday – Free Resume Help Desk from Virginia Career Works at the Jamerson Memorial Library from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Tim is IN! Need help creating a resume or have questions about your existing resume? Come meet Tim Saunders for suggestions on wording, style, and other resume-related help. It is suggested that if you already have a resume that you bring a copy with you.

August 4th, Tuesday – All Aboard! Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time presented by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book for patrons preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

August 4th, Tuesday – Pamplin Depot Creative Class for Adults starting at 3:00 pm. This month’s creative class will feature iris folding, which originated in the Netherlands. It gets its name because the finished design resembles the spiraling iris of a camera lens. Please register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration.

August 5th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Infinity Dance in Abbitt Park starting 4:00 pm. Dance to infinity and beyond with Library Director Cindy Scheu! Learn the basic moves for fan, poi and dragon flow dancing. Go with the “flow” as you use your own creative movement and large free-flowing ribbons and poi balls to express your own interpretation of freeform performance art through dance. This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

August 5th, Wednesday – “Let’s Dough This”! Jamerson Library’s Introduction to Sourdough starting at 6:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Learn how to make sourdough starter with Adrian Gilbert, and get hints and tips on baking up some of the best bread you have ever tried. This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

August 6th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Fun with Infinity & Sound 4:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Get “tuned in” with tuning forks, sand, and sound. When you strike a tuning fork near sand, the fork’s vibrations push the air and create sound waves. These waves make the sand jump and bounce. This helps us see invisible sound energy in action. This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

August 6th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults: Clay Bowls – Part II at 6:00 pm in the Library’s community room. It’s painting day for patrons who joined us for Part 1 of the Air Clay Bowls project. It is time to pick up your bowls! We will paint them with an option of different styles and techniques, and you can take your finished bowls home! This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant. You must be pre-registered to attend this event as supplies and space are limited. Please register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration.

August 8th, Saturday – International Infinity Day at the Jamerson Library from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the community room. It is all about the numbers! Come celebrate this day with events centered around numbers, infinity and fun. This program is paid for by the Infinite Sums Rural and Small Libraries Grant.

August 11th, Tuesday – All Aboard! Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time presented by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book for patrons preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

August 11th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Pamplin Depot Adult Book Club starting at 3:00 pm. Meet us at the Depot as the Library features the book “The Queen of Crimes” by Marie Benedict. London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment. There are copies of this book available at the Pamplin Town Office.

August 11th, Tuesday – Appomattox Court House Quilt Guild to meet at the Jamerson Memorial Library from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

August 12th, Wednesday – Jamerson Memorial Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the community room. Join us for the book “The Queen of Crimes” by Marie Benedict. London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment. There are copies of this book available at the circulation desk.

August 13th, Thursday – Jamerson Library and Library of Virginia presents “Live Aware, Not in Fear: Street Smarts and Safety Tactics” by safety expert and author Dannah Eve staring at 2:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. This live-streamed presentation will focus on trusting your instincts, staying alert to your surroundings, and using practical safety tactics in your daily life without living in a state of constant anxiety. We encourage everyone of all ages to attend this important streaming event.

August 15th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults starting at 10:00 am. This months creative class will feature iris folding, which originated in the Netherlands. It gets its name because the finished design resembles the spiraling iris of a camera lens. Please register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration.

August 17th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Sue Stitchers to 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 are 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!

August 18th, Tuesday – All Aboard! Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book from preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

August 19th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. This week’s guest reader will be the Appomattox Court House National Historic Park. They will read an age-appropriate book, followed by crafts and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

August 21st, Friday – Jamerson Memorial Library to host Rodney Stotts for a Book Signing and Hawk Show & Tell starting at 2:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Come meet one of the few African-American master falconers, and his Harris Hawk named Agnes. You can purchase a personally signed copy of Rodney’s book “Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife”, an inspiring true story of pursuing dreams, redemption and second chances.

August 22nd, Saturday – Jamerson Library to join Wolfbane’s Wolfswood Faire from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Lords and ladies, join us for a fun-filled day of medieval games, sword fights, live performances, music, delicious food, cold drinks, and dancing at 618 Country Club Road Appomattox, VA 24522. Find our tent for library-related information. This year we will be be participating in Trinket Trading (the exchange of small tokens among attendees), glitter tattoos, bubbles, and other giveaways. To learn more about the Wolfswood Faire visit their website at: https://www.wolfbane.org/wolfswood-faire.

August 25th, Tuesday – All Aboard! Pamplin Depot Story & Craft Time by the Jamerson Memorial Library, starting at 1:00 pm. Meet Library Director Cindy Scheu for an adventure in reading and creativity. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book for patrons preschool through 6 years of age, followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for younger patrons.

August 26th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Story & Craft Time starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm in the Library’s conference room. This week’s guest reader will be the James River State Park. They will read an age-appropriate book, followed by crafts and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

August 27th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Family Movie Night starting at 6:00 pm in the Library’s community room. In this animated comedy adventure, an animal lover seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to “hop” her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals. As she makes amazing discoveries, she befriends a charismatic beaver and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face a major, imminent, human threat. This movie is rated PG.