It’s February and that means it’s National Library Lovers Month! Sedona Public Library invites you to celebrate with us. We have loads of special ways we’re showing our love for you (chocolate might be involved), and, of course, we’ve got loads of ways for you to share your library love with us. Read on and lean into the love.
As we’ve done for years, we again welcome you to participate in our always fun “Blind Date with a Book” opportunity. It’s easier than online dating—we promise! Here’s how it works: Mosey on over to the display of beautifully wrapped books, you can’t miss it at either library location! Peruse the selections that are carefully curated by our librarians, then read the helpful hints. Here’s two favorites. “If you love short stories and gentle reads, you’ll love me;” “If you love dark humor, this is the book for you.” Make your pick, check it out, unwrap your literary treasure, and enjoy! We’ll have these books for check out all month long, so tell your loved ones, and come back when you’re ready for your next read!
At the main Library in West Sedona, you can also play Love Your Library Bingo! Pick up your Bingo card near the Circulation Desk, complete all nine tasks—they’re easy and fun—and win a sweet prize. (Did I mention chocolate?) Nearby you’ll find the Library Love Tree, and we’d love for you to help us fill the tree with hearts expressing your admiration. Here’s some early arrivals: “I love the Library because it is a cozy place to read and get work done.” And, “I love the Library because it’s a great place to meet new people.” Finally, my favorite, “I love the Library because they have more functions than the world’s greatest Swiss Army Knife.”
Speaking of library love, we’re using this special month to raise funds for our Village Library. Two amazing donors helped us kick off this Village Library love fest with a matching gift of $7,000. That means each of your gifts to the Village Library during the month of February are matched, dollar for dollar! We need to keep the love coming in for our Village Library and we hope you’ll help. As you know, Yavapai County decreased their annual contribution to the Library, and we hope the community will help us keep our Village Library vibrant and LOVEly. Stop by the Village Library for a cup of hot cocoa, a chocolate kiss, a Blind Date with a Book, and visit with our librarians Aurelia and Ally who are always glad to see you! And save the date . . . something special is in the works for a very special Leap Day at the Village on February 29. Stay tuned.
Speaking of showing your support for your community, tomorrow night, Saturday, February 10, don’t miss Casino Night at the Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m. Not only will you support the Scorpion Boosters and all they do for high school students and staff in our local schools, but you’ll be able to show even more library love. Step right up to our Wine Pull, and for a mere $30 investment, you get to play a game where you are always guaranteed to win! We have bottles valued up to $120, and we are so grateful to our many individual wine donors the following businesses: Vino di Sedona, Crown Club & Bottle Shop, and Jesse Lee’s Craft Beers. If you have not yet visited these locations for their fabulous inventory of libations and the friendliest service ever, you must. And they love the library, another win-win! Thank you to all our wine sponsors and we’ll see you at Casino Night!
Finally, remember when you stop by the Library you can always show your community love to some of our partner non-profits. For instance, please bring in your extra plastic grocery bags for the Sedona Area Homeless Alliance Operation Bedroll project. You can view the loom used for this amazing weaving project that creates lightweight sleep mats for those without beds. Next, stop by the Friends Used Book Store. Their inventory is amazing, their prices are perfect, and their proceeds support the Library. Another win-win. Finally, when you come by enjoy our annual quilt display in partnership with the Red Rock Quilters. Take special note of some truly love-themed quilts like “Barn Heart,” “The Sloth Loves the Rain Forest,” and “Red Flowers.” All 81 quilts are gorgeous and will be on display for the rest of the month. Look up and feel the love!
From all of us at your Library, have yourself a love-full February!
Sedona Public Library is a grateful 501(c)(3), private, non-profit, library, and it is individual and public support that makes events like all of the above possible. If you are interested in sponsoring this, or any of our events and programs, please contact Anne Marie at amackler@sedonalibrary.org. The Library is funded in large part by the City of Sedona, Coconino County, the Friends of the Sedona Library, and people like you. We also receive a portion of your tax dollars from Yavapai County. Thank you.
As published in Red Rock News
Library News Column for February 9, 2024
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director