Sedona Public Library is pleased to announce a wonderful series of Arizona Humanities speaker programs for 2020. AZ Speaks is the longest-running and most popular program of Arizona Humanities. Speakers are selected based on their expertise and ability to offer content that inspires and entertains audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
 
Programs begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 55 Rojo Drive in VOC.  Generously funded by Arizona Humanities and Friends of the Sedona Library, programs are free and open to the public. Donations are always welcome!
 
You won’t want to miss these engaging, educational presentations, so grab your calendar and make a note of the dates below. Additional programs will be added during the year; please check for updates by visiting sedonalibrary.org/spl-in-the-village.html.
 
Wednesday, January 15:  “Honky Tonks, Brothels, and Mining Camps: Entertainment in Old Arizona,” presented by Dr. Jay Crávath
In pioneer Arizona, some of the best places to experience the performing arts were the mining towns. For miners, striking it rich meant having disposable income. And like the well-heeled city dwellers of the Gilded Age, miners wanted to demonstrate their sophistication by participating in cultural events. In remote hamlets like Tombstone, residents could enjoy glee clubs, orchestras, and even operas! Dr. Craváth shares stories and music of a time when watching live performances was one of the few ways to experience the arts.
 
Friday, February 14:  “Hyenas in Petticoats: How Women Struggled Against Every Dirty Trick in the Books to Win the Vote,” presented by Jana Bommersbach
As we celebrate the 100th birthday of the 19th Amendment in 2020, it’s time to look back at the enormous effort it took for women to be granted full citizenship and the vote. History has downplayed suffrage, as if it were just a footnote in American history. In fact, it was the nation’s largest civil rights movement. Western women got the vote long before their Eastern sisters, but don’t dare tell an Arizona suffragette that she had it easy. Arizonans opposed to suffrage had their own dirty tricks. During this presentation, Jana Bommersbach will expose it all—the heroines, the heroes, and the haters.

Wednesday, March 11: “The Vanishing Trading Posts,” presented by Chris Glenn and Sandy Sunseri
“The Vanishing Trading Posts” presents a snapshot of life in the Southwest that has disappeared. In a little over one hundred years, trading posts in the Four Corners were founded, relationships between traders and Native Americans flourished, and then the posts faded away. The challenges and unexpected gifts of cross-cultural exchange and the stories of trading-family dynasties are discussed against a background of social and economic changes on the reservations and in the U.S. that are still relevant today. The presenters, Chris Glenn and Sandy Sunseri, are docents at the Museum of Northern Arizona. They have been speaking about the land and people of the Colorado Plateau since 2012.
 
For more information about these programs, call Cheryl Yeatts, Village Library Manager  at 928-284-1603 or email voc@sedonalibrary.org. Thank you for supporting Sedona Public Library services in the Village of Oak Creek.

Libraries have always been important to me. I have fond memories of my early childhood visits to the library. I would snuggle up next to my dad in the window seat of the old Victorian building, as he read picture books to me and instilled the love of reading. In college, my favorite place to study was in the stacks of the Wertz Art and Architecture Library at Miami University. I met my future husband while I was working in the library at Fairfield High School in Ohio. I eventually became a school librarian. Now, I am privileged to be the manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village.

In this month’s article, I’m paying tribute to libraries by sharing a list of works that highlight their contributions. If you’re also interested in libraries, I recommend you check out the following:

• “The Library Book,” by Susan Orlean:  In this work of nonfiction, Orlean begins by recounting the events of a disastrous fire at the Los Angeles Public Library on April 28, 1986. While a great deal of the book is about the author’s investigation of the fire, many chapters focus on telling library stories and emphasizing the importance of libraries.  
  
  

• “The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq,” written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter:  Alia Muhammad Baker was the librarian of Basra for 14 years, when war in Iraq threatened to demolish the library building and all the books. This brave librarian found a way to survive and devised a plan to save 30,000 books from being destroyed.
  
  

• “This Is What a Librarian Looks Like:  A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information,” by Kyle Cassidy:  One of my favorite books about libraries, this work includes 220 photos of librarians from all 50 states and Canada. Cassidy, the author and photographer, captures thoughts and feelings of librarians from all walks of life.  The passion that librarians feel for their work is evident in this book. 
  
  

• “The Public,” a film written and directed by Emilio Estevez:  This drama takes place at the downtown Cincinnati Public Library. When a brutal winter storm closes all the homeless shelters in the city, a group of homeless men refuse to leave the library.  These men want nothing more than a warm meal and shelter from the bitter cold. When the police are called to intervene, the peaceful demonstration turns into a standoff. Two librarians, played by Emilio Estevez and Jena Malone, are forced to make difficult decisions about their careers, their friends, and their lives.  While this film is not based on a true story, it could be. “The Public” sends a powerful message about the critical role that libraries play in today’s society. The film is rated PG-13.  
  
  

The books listed above are available in various formats from the Yavapai Library Network. “The Public” is available as a Blu-ray or widescreen DVD.  If you need assistance placing a hold, please contact the Library.

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please support your library by making a gift at www.sedonalibrary.org

Celebrate Veterans Day by attending a speaker program about the original “fly girls.” On Monday, November 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 55 Rojo Drive in VOC, Natalie J. Stewart-Smith will present “The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II.” At this program, Stewart-Smith will share the stories of brave women fliers who had to fight for the right to be called veterans.
 
The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a civilian women pilots’ organization attached to the United States Army Air Forces to fly military aircraft during World War II. More than 1,000 women, serving as WASPs during World War II, flew over 60 million miles. Their main duty was to ferry planes from factories to embarkation points. These women pilots flew 80 percent of all ferrying missions, delivering over 12,000 aircraft of 78 different types. As a result of their efforts, 900 male pilots were freed for combat duty. In addition to ferrying planes, WASPs performed engineer test flying of repaired aircraft and did towing for live-target gunnery training. By the spring of 1944, every P-51 Mustang flown in combat had already been flown by a WASP.
 
Thirty-eight WASPs died serving their country during World War II: eleven died during training and twenty-seven were killed on active-duty missions. WASPs were considered civilians, so they were not entitled to military benefits. The U.S. military did not transport bodies of deceased WASPs home or pay for their funerals, and they were not entitled to traditional military honors, such as draping the U.S. flag over the coffin.
 
The WASP program formally ended on December 20, 1944, eight months before the end of World War II. For many years Jacqueline Cochran, the first female aviator to break the sound barrier in 1953, and others lobbied for the WASPs to be recognized as veterans.
 
Finally, on November 23, 1977, more than 30 years after the WASP program started, President Jimmy Carter signed a law to give WASPs veteran status.  In 2009, President Barack Obama signed a bill to award the WASPs Congressional Gold Medals, one of the highest civilian honors awarded by the United States Congress.
 
Natalie J. Stewart-Smith, a speaker for Arizona Humanities, has been an educator for over 25 years and has taught at the elementary, high school, and college levels. As a former Army officer and historian, she is interested in women’s contributions to the military, particularly those of women who served as military aviators.
 
The program, generously funded by Arizona Humanities and Friends of the Sedona Public Library, is free and open to the public. For more information about this program or other programs at Sedona Public Library, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, please stop by or call the Library at 928-282-7714. You may also access the Library’s website at www.sedonalibrary.org to view the events calendar or to make an online donation. 

​In late 2016, President Barack Obama designated 1.35 million acres of undeveloped public lands in southeastern Utah as Bears Ears National Monument.  On December 4, 2017, President Donald Trump shrank the monument by 85 percent, an action that was immediately challenged in lawsuits that could take years to resolve.
 
To learn more about this national debate over the future of public lands, join Rebecca  Robinson and Stephen Strom as they share stories and photographs from their book “Voices from Bears Ears:  Seeking Common Ground on Sacred Land.” The program will take place in the community room at Sedona Public Library on Friday, October 4, at 3:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. 
 
Bears Ears is a land rich in human history and unsurpassed in natural beauty. In “Voices from Bears Ears:  Seeking Common Ground on Sacred Land,” Robinson and Strom feature stories of 20 individuals and interviews with more than 70 people, capturing the passions of those who fought to protect Bears Ears and those who opposed the monument as a federal "land grab" that threatened to rob them of their future.
 
The book shares stories of those who celebrate a growing movement by Indigenous peoples to protect ancestral lands and culture, and those who speak devotedly about their Mormon heritage. What unites these individuals is a reverence for a homeland that defines their cultural and spiritual identity.  
 
Journalist Rebecca Robinson lives in Portland, Oregon. Her work has been widely published and she has received numerous awards for her work in print, radio, and online media.  “Voices from Bears Ears” is her first book.
 
Photographer Stephen E. Strom received his PhD in astronomy from Harvard University in 1964.  Strom’s photographic work is held in several permanent collections, including the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson.  His photography has been featured in numerous books, including his recent work “Bears Ears:  Views from a Sacred Land.”
 
The Library is partnering with The Literate Lizard bookstore to provide books for sale in the community room immediately following the program. Ms. Robinson and Mr. Strom will be available to answer questions and sign books.
 
This program is part of Sedona Public Library’s environmental stewardship series grant, a project supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
 
For more information about this program or other programs that we offer at Sedona Public Library, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, please stop by or call the Library at 928-282-7714. You may also access the Library’s website at www.sedonalibrary.org to view the events calendar or to make an online donation. 

​Way out on the Colorado Plateau, two lines cross at right angles, forming the borders of four states. You can stand on this spot and be in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah all at the same time. The Four Corners is the common name for this region: a land of fantastic rock formations, ancient dwellings, diverse cultures, and rich history.  Multiple national parks and monuments have been set aside to preserve the wonders of the Four Corners.
 
To learn more about this unforgettable land and its people, please join Jim Turner, author and historian, for his Arizona Humanities presentation “Four Corners:  The Southwest’s Cultural Crossroads” on Wednesday, September 4, at 1:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 55 Rojo Drive in the Village of Oak Creek. This program, generously funded by Arizona Humanities and Friends of the Sedona Library, is free and open to the public.
 
At this presentation, you’ll hear about the area’s unique geography, geology, and history, as well as the modern cultures that call the Four Corners home. Topics will include Native American myths, spiritual beliefs, and arts and crafts; the history of Spanish missionaries and Mormon settlers in the region; and the history of movie making at Lake Powell and in Monument Valley.
 
While visitors to the Four Corners often see the area as forbidding and desolate at first, most people soon get used to the region’s unique features and begin to appreciate its otherworldly splendor, panoramic landscapes, and barren badlands, where whirling dust devils sweep the plains and giant rock sculptures grace majestic canyons.
 
About the presenter:  Jim earned an M.A. in U.S. history in 1999 and has been presenting Arizona history for more than 40 years. Before retiring from the Arizona Historical Society, he worked with more than 70 museums across the state. He is also the author of several books, including Arizona: Celebration of the Grand Canyon State, The Mighty Colorado River: From the Glaciers to the Gulf, and Four Corners USA: Wonders of the American Southwest.
 
Please consider supporting Sedona Public Library at sedonalibrary.org/donate, or call 928.284.1603 for more information. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Thank you for supporting library services in the Village of Oak Creek.

​My dream of visiting Africa became a reality when my husband and I recently traveled to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.  Since coming home, I cannot stop thinking about our adventure. I keep the memories alive by reading books about these special places. In this article, I’ll share some of my current favorites.
 
I discovered an author named Tony Park at a bookstore in Johannesburg. Even though he is Australian, Park researches and writes his novels while on location in Africa.  Most of his books are mysteries/thrillers that deal with the serious problem of poaching, especially of rhinos and elephants.  I think you will enjoy reading the following titles by this author:  “Ivory,” “Red Earth,” and “The Delta.”
 
After touring Robben Island and seeing the tiny cell where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for eighteen years, I decided to read “Long Walk to Freedom.” Written in Mandela’s own words, he tells how he came from humble beginnings to change a nation and the world.
 
Our next stop was Zimbabwe. I learned more about the rich and colorful history of this country, formerly Southern Rhodesia and Rhodesia, after reading two books:  “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight,” by Alexandra Fuller, and “When the African Bus Came Down,” a memoir by Elaine Bosman. You may recognize Elaine Bosman’s name because she used to live in the Village. Elaine is a wonderful storyteller who offers insights about living in Rhodesia. Delightful illustrations by Paul Bosman, Elaine’s husband, add a special touch to her memoir.
 
Spending time in Botswana brought Alexander McCall Smith’s series about Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, to life. I like listening to the audiobooks because of the melodic voices of the characters. There are twenty books in the series, with the latest title—“To the Land of Long Lost Friends”—scheduled for release in October. If you are interested in reading this series, start with the first book, “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.”
 
You may be familiar with Delia Owens as the author of the number one best-selling novel “Where the Crawdads Sing.” However, you may not know that she has a degree in zoology and spent several decades studying elephants, lions, and brown hyenas in remote areas of Botswana and Zambia. She earned her Ph.D. in animal behavior from the University of California in Davis and co-authored three nonfiction books with Mark Owens, her husband. I highly recommend “Cry of the Kalahari” and “Secrets of the Savanna.”  These books contain wonderful photographs that capture their time in Africa.
 
All titles mentioned in this article are available from the Yavapai Library Network. If you need assistance placing a hold, please contact the Library. 
 
Like Kuki Gallmann, author of “I Dreamed of Africa,” I still dream of Africa.  If you enjoy traveling as much as I do, please share your adventures the next time you visit the Library.  Safe journeys…

We are in for a long, hot summer. One of the best ways to deal with the heat is to read a book while lounging by the pool or relaxing in the air conditioning.
 
So many books are available that choosing the right one for you can be a daunting task. Here are a few suggestions to help you find your next great book, courtesy of library patrons and staff:
 
Choose a book written by your favorite author:  Dan is a fan of David Baldacci.  He is currently reading “Redemption.” This book features the character Amos Decker in the Memory Man series. He is looking forward to reading “The Long Road to Mercy” with Baldacci’s new female protagonist, Atlee Pine.
 
Re-read your favorite book:  Ann’s favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee.  She first read this classic in sixth grade and has been reading it every summer for fifty years.
 
Select a book about a topic that interests you.  Cindy loves art and is currently reading “Picasso: In His Words,” by Pablo Picasso. She shared, “It’s a small book that shows some of his quotes mixed in with pictures of his artwork. I think it is a great book, and it is a very easy read.”
 
Read a book in a series. Edwin just finished “River God,” by Wilbur Smith.  This is the first of six books in the author’s Ancient Egypt series. Next, he plans to read “The Seventh Scroll,” the second book in the series.
 
Explore your favorite genre. Lauren highly recommends “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon. She explains, “I love fantasy novels and had read Samantha Shannon’s other works before reading this book. Reading this delicious book was like having decadent chocolates sitting next to me 24 hours a day and trying to resist eating them all at once. I wanted to rush through it, yet I needed to savor every word.”
 
Improve your language skills by reading a book written in a foreign language: Maria is currently reading "Locos, Ricos y Asiáticos.” Translated, that title is “Crazy Rich Asians,” by Kevin Kwan.

Ask your friends for recommendations. When I asked my friends what they were currently reading, I received a diverse list of books from several genres:
 

• “Agents of the Apocalypse: A Riveting Look at the Key Players in the End Times”
• “Blood in the Asphalt:  Prayers from the Highway”
• “Cemetery Road”
• “Legacy”
• “Rebecca”
• “Speak”
• “The Alice Network”
• “The Calculating Stars”
• “The Lost Girls of Paris”
• “The Scent Keeper”
• “The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds”
• “The Wicked King”
• “We Were the Lucky Ones”
• “Where the Crawdads Sing”

 
These books are available in various formats from the Yavapai Library Network. If you need assistance placing a hold, please contact the Library. 
 
Thank you for supporting library services in the Village of Oak Creek.

One afternoon when I was working at the Village library, a resident came in to sign up for a library card. Being new to the area, she inquired about the best place to meet people.  Without hesitation, I recommended the Library.
 
In my opinion, the best way to meet new people at the Library is to get involved. Whether you are new to the community or have been a resident for some time, consider volunteering at the Library or at the Friends of the Sedona Library Used Book Store. The Library offers many volunteer opportunities:  work at circulation, assist with computers, shelve materials, and repair books, to name a few. Training is provided.  You may also volunteer to serve on the SPL Board or the Friends of the Library Board. During the last fiscal year, our amazing library volunteers contributed 16,992 volunteer hours.  You always make a difference when you volunteer.
 
Another great way to meet people is to attend library programs. The Library offers diverse programs for all ages. In fact, last year Sedona Public Library hosted 857 programs. Find library programs that appeal to your current interests, or explore new pastimes.
 
Here are a few program ideas. Attend an Arizona Humanities program, participate in a book discussion, learn more about finances with the Investment Club, star gaze with the Sirius Lookers, watch a film at the Monday night movie, or discuss a documentary at the monthly Reel Life Movie Night film series. Practice your language skills with the conversational Spanish or conversational French groups, or improve your computer skills by registering for an iPad/iPhone/Mac workshop. If you like to sew, you can join the Sit and Stitch group. Meet parents and caregivers when you take your children/grandchildren to one of the many outstanding children’s programs offered by youth services. Check out the library events calendar at www.sedonalibrary.org for more information about library programs and events.
 
If you cannot find any programs that spark your interest, why not offer to share a new program? The Library is always looking for ideas to expand programs and extend community outreach.
 
Speaking from my personal experience of working at the Library, I have met many wonderful people and made new friends. As part of my community outreach efforts, I have had opportunities to work with speakers and authors and to partner with various community organizations. In addition, I have attended workshops and conferences and networked with librarians across the state.  As a result, I have grown personally and professionally.  Yes, I would definitely say the Library is a great place to meet people.
 
With your generous contributions and support from our community, Sedona Public Library continues to fulfill its vision: to serve as the heart of the community; a special place where the past is honored and future dreams are nourished. Thank YOU for being the best part of Sedona Public Library!

For better or worse, technology has changed our lives. Technology has definitely changed the way libraries deliver library services. To keep up with the rapidly changing world of automation, libraries are delivering more services electronically. This article will highlight some of Sedona Library’s digital tools and services, including a brand-new video streaming collection!
 
YLN APP:  The new Yavapai Library Network mobile catalog makes it quick and easy to access and manage your library account on the go. With the YLN app, you can search the catalog, order items from any YLN library, place and suspend holds, check your due dates, and renew items. You may also manage your bookshelves by adding books, CDs, DVDs, and other media for borrowing later.  These are just a few of the features offered by the YLN app.
 
LIBBY APP:  If you are a fan of e-books and e-audiobooks, then you will love the Libby app from OverDrive. Libby is compatible with Android and iOS. While you may still use the “classic” app to access OverDrive, many library users prefer the upgrades, ease, and convenience of Libby.  Whether you use the OverDrive app or the Libby app, the Library’s OverDrive digital collection offers many advantages: free downloads, no late fees, and immediate reading of e-books or listening to audiobooks. Digital books and audiobooks are especially nice if you are traveling.
 
KANOPY: Sedona Public Library is pleased to offer Kanopy, a new streaming video service. Kanopy has been described as “thoughtful entertainment,” with a selection of over 30,000 on-demand videos, including new releases, independent and international cinema, classic movies, documentaries, educational films, and more. Library cardholders can access Kanopy on their home computers or with the Kanopy app on mobile devices. Kanopy is free and easy. You must have a valid library card from Sedona Library or Sedona Library in the Village to access Kanopy.
 
RBDIGITAL MAGAZINES: The Library’s RBdigital collection offers full-color digital magazines for reading on desktop computers and mobile devices. RBdigital has new and backlist issues of popular magazines, with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limits. You may check out as many issues as you want and keep them in your account as long as you want. Download the app or access the RBdigital magazine database on the Library’s website at www.sedonalibrary.org.

​If you have questions about the Library’s digital services, please call the Reference Desk at Sedona Public Library at 928-282-771, ext. 114. For personal assistance, stop by the Reference Desk at the main library in West Sedona or the Village library at Bell Rock Plaza in VOC.
 
Technology will never replace the joy of browsing the shelves, holding a book in your hands, or receiving personal assistance from a library staff member or helpful library volunteer, but sometimes it comes in handy. 

Journey along historic Route 66 with Sedona Public Library during Read Around Sedona 2019, the Library’s community reading project. This year’s featured book is “Arizona Kicks on Route 66,” by travel writer Roger Naylor. Copies of the book are available at Sedona Public Library. Please contact the Library if you need assistance placing a hold.
 
The Library has planned several events for Read Around Sedona 2019. These events will take place at various locations.
 
On the Road Since 1925: The Colorful History of Arizona Highways.  Wednesday, April 3, 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 55 Rojo Drive in the Village of Oak Creek. Win Holden, former publisher, will share the fascinating story of how a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department evolved into one of the most respected and revered travel publications in the world.
 
Meet author Roger Naylor. Friday, April 5, 10:30 a.m. to noon in the community room at Sedona Public Library.  Route 66 is one of Roger Naylor’s favorite topics, and he’s sure to be an engaging speaker. His books will be for sale following the program, and he will be available to sign them. Don’t miss this opportunity to chat with Roger, view classic cars courtesy of Sedona Car Club, and enjoy local pie.
 
Tour of La Posada Hotel in Winslow. Wednesday, April 10, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join tour leader Peggy Nelson, dressed in character as a Harvey Girl, to learn about the history of Cyrus K. Holiday, the Santa Fe Railroad, Fred Harvey, the Harvey Girls, Mary Colter, and La Posada. We will take a walking tour of the hotel. Cost is $5 per person. You must arrange for your own transportation to Winslow. To reserve your space, contact Cheryl Yeatts at 928-284-1603 or email voc@sedonalibrary.org. no later than Friday, April 5.
 
Photos and Hikes from “Boots and Burgers.” Monday, April 15, 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the community room at Sedona Public Library. Mike Koopsen of Trails Traveled Photography will show his photographs and explain how he collaborated with author Roger Naylor to provide images for Roger’s book “Boots and Burgers: An Arizona Handbook for Hungry Hikers.”
  
A Nostalgic Journey Along Route 66, Main Street of America. Diorama display during April at Sedona Public Library. Take time to view the themed diorama and hand-painted map display of Route 66 by Wendy Jack, a Sedona resident. Wendy holds a B.F.A. in the visual arts.

Culture Pass. Now, are you ready for a road trip? Check out a Culture Pass from Sedona Public Library for two free admissions to the Route 66 Museum, the Mohave Museum, and the Bonelli House in Kingman.
 
Read Around Sedona will continue during May. Check the events calendar on the Library’s website at www.sedonalibrary.org and watch for announcements of additional programs.
 
For more information, please contact Cheryl Yeatts at 928-284-1603 or email voc@sedonalibrary.org.  Thank you for supporting Read Around Sedona.