 September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when Sedona Public Library joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to encourage everyone to access the free services available at their local library.
Your Sedona library card is probably one of the most valuable cards in your wallet. As a Sedona Public Library cardholder, not only can you access services here in Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, you also have access to 47 other libraries in the Yavapai Library Network. That means over one million items are easily accessible to you via your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Just search for an item in the catalog on our website, put the item on hold, and have it delivered to your nearest library for pickup. Don’t read print books anymore? Your library card gives you access to thousands of free e-books, audio books, and online magazines that you can download from the comfort of your own home. Are you a movie buff? The Library is excited to offer Kanopy, a free streaming video service, to all Sedona Library patrons. With a selection of over 30,000 on-demand videos, the Kanopy collection includes new releases, independent and international cinema, classic movies, documentaries, educational films, and more. Categories keep changing, so check back often. Currently there are 45 films available in the Social and Systemic Injustice group. Library cardholders can access Kanopy on their home computers or with the Kanopy app on mobile devices. To get started using Kanopy, visit sedonalibrary.kanopy.com, enter your name and email, and create a password. You can stream up to four movies per month and enjoy unlimited plays on Kanopy Kids and The Great Courses. From time to time, you’ll see a “Credit-Free” shelf on the Kanopy homepage. You will be able to view the videos on this shelf without using any of your play credits. If you’re not ready for streaming, check out our extensive collection of DVDs. Choose from popular TV series, foreign films, nonfiction programming, and blockbusters. Now that we’re open for in-building services from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, we’re delighted to see more and more residents coming in to apply for cards. Sometimes it’s a family’s first stop as they explore their new hometown! Lost your card? During September we are waiving the $5 replacement card fee. So stop in and get yourself a new card, completely free of charge. For hours and directions, call 928-282-7714 or visit our website at www.sedonalibrary.org. Call 928-284-1603 for Sedona Public Library in the Village, located in Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The land on which our beautiful library sits was donated, and the library building was constructed with private funds and is entirely debt-free. Donations and grants allow us to continue to offer free and innovative services to residents and visitors. Your donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336, or you may donate online. Sedona Public Library Column for September 18, 2020 Written by: Virginia Volkman, Library Director  Change in Library Hours: Starting September 14, Monday through Friday, Sedona Public Library in West Sedona will offer curbside holds pick-up from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Library will be open for computer use and browsing from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing will be followed.
Starting September 15, Sedona Public Library in the Village will offer holds pick-up at the door and computer use in the building. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing will be followed. September Is Library Card Sign-up Month: We invite you to apply for a card at the main library in West Sedona or online. If you live in the Sedona area or the Village of Oak Creek, visit the Library’s website (sedonalibrary.org), choose “How Do I…?” from the top menu, and choose “Get a Library Card” in the drop-down menu. Agree to the Yavapai Library Network User Agreement and click the orange “I Accept” button. Then fill out the form. We’ll get back to you with your new library card number and PIN. Your card will give you access to all of our online resources for six months. You’ll need to come in to the Library to update your account and pick up your library card if you want to check out books, DVDs, magazines, audiobooks on CD, and more. Lost your card? During September we are waiving the $5 replacement card fee. So stop in and get yourself a new card, completely free of charge. For more information, call 928-282-7714 or visit our website. Call 928-284-1603 for Sedona Public Library in the Village, located in Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek. Grab and Go Craft: The Youth Services department is offering a hands-on family fun activity. Ask for a Grab and Go Craft kit at the Library in West Sedona during curbside pickup or during browsing hours. A different craft will be available every week in September. Appropriate for children of all ages, best suited for 5–12 year olds. Friends of the Library Book Store: Special half-price sale through September on “ABC” books: animals, biography, and cookbooks. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mask/face covering is required and social distancing will be followed. Donations of books are accepted during regular hours. Human Library Event: Sedona Public Library is pleased to collaborate with the Sedona International City of Peace, Rotary Clubs of Sedona, and the Arizona Community Foundation for the fourth Sedona Human Library event on Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a free, public event—and this year it will be held live on Zoom. We invite you to be a “reader” in three 40-minute time slots. During registration, you will select a combination of three “Human Books.” Go to www.sedonahumanlibrary.org to see more about the event, the Human Books, and how to register. International Day of Peace: On September 21, 2020, Sedona celebrates the International Day of Peace with a first-of-its-kind series of events to “Dissolve the Divide,” presented in person at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre and available via livestream. The first event, starting at 10 a.m., is Dissolve the Divide between Law Enforcement and the Community; the second event, starting at 2 p.m. is Dissolve the Divide Within during a Meditation Monday; and the third event is two showings of the movie, “We are Many,” to Dissolve the Divide in War. For free tickets at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, go to sedonafilmfestival.com/event/we-are-many/2020-09-21/. For livestreaming, go to the Sedona International City of Peace Facebook page. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336, or you may donate online. Sedona Public Library Column for September 11, 2020 Written by: Virginia Volkman, Library Director  We inhabit one of the largest and most complex information landscapes in human history. We’re inundated by information from social media, the Internet, television, print media, etc., so our task in establishing trustworthy news sources and distinguishing news from opinion has become more challenging than ever.
Historically, citizens have relied on journalists to convey the facts. After the news migrated to online sources and social media platforms, the absence of gatekeepers became evident. Given the decentralized nature of the Internet, how can we select trustworthy sources, distinguish news from opinion, and evaluate information? Let’s discuss the skills necessary to be reliably informed and strategies to avoid false or misleading information. When you encounter information, step number one is to slow down and recognize your emotional responses. Emotions can be exploited, and misinformation manipulates our emotions. The next step is to conduct a fact check for yourself. Do a quick google search. Oftentimes, you can disprove something very quickly by looking for corroborating sources. Then, examine the sources in depth. If you need help, use the CRAAP test checklist to evaluate the reliability of the source:
Given that news literacy is a concern across the information landscape, we cannot look to one platform for answers. The information platform is not the problem; it’s what we do with the information that matters. Ultimately, it’s up to us to take responsibility for our own news literacy skills on whatever platform we are using. According to John Silva of the News Literacy Project, to become news literate consumers, we need to embrace critical thinking and substitute cynicism with healthy skepticism. We take the time to fact check what we read and identify our own personal biases. We prioritize sources of reputable journalism over random posts on social media. We use the standards of authoritative, fact-based journalism in deciding what to trust, what to share, and what to act on. We are willing to get information from a wide variety of sources and engage with people of diverse viewpoints. We recognize that being prepared to successfully navigate and play a role in shaping the information environment will put us at an advantage as news literate consumers. Learn to distinguish between news and opinion: our job as news literate consumers is to prioritize news. News informs you about current events through impartial reporting of facts. Opinion pieces attempt to persuade you to support a specific point of view about an issue or subject. To identify opinion, look for terms such as “commentary” or “editorial.” Look for content with persuasive, ironic, or hyperbolic language, in addition to first-person statements that are not in quotes. Similar to earlier innovations in communications like the printing press and the telephone, cyber news brings unintended consequences and new opportunities for discovery and growth. To become a news literate consumer takes time, but you may find being reliably informed and staying clear of false and misleading information is priceless. Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Please support your library by visiting the Library’s website at sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online donation, or mail your gift to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Sedona Public Library Column for September 4, 2020 Written by: Andrea Lhotka, Reference Librarian  Sedona Public Library is pleased to collaborate with the Sedona International City of Peace and Rotary Club of Sedona for the fourth Sedona Human Library™ event, on Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a free, public event—and this year it will be held online.
Mark your calendars for this worldwide movement for social change, which offers the opportunity to listen to amazing stories told by 26 courageous “human books.” You will have an opportunity to “read” their stories live on Zoom and ask questions to promote understanding and connection. The event is part of the Human Library project (www.humanlibrary.org), an international effort that is now local. This movement has the potential to alter our hearts and minds as to how we regard those in our community who struggle with all kinds of societal judgments and stigmas. During the Human Library event, you’ll have the opportunity to select human books, listen to their short presentations, and engage in dialogue with them to gain understanding. Expand your awareness of the limitations you may have set for yourself. Take this opportunity to connect with people in our community in a whole new and understanding way. Human books that will be available include the following titles: From Cocaine to Cuisine--Caught up in cocaine addiction, this New Yorker moved to Arizona and vowed to put all that behind him. Has it been easy? Hardly. But he now has his own salad/sandwich business and feels he is living the American Dream. Gay and Christian—Born into a family of ministers, this man was encouraged to follow the teachings of his religion. He married and had a family, but one day realized this was not the life he was meant to lead. He came out as a gay man to his family and church and was shunned and shamed. His amazing story tells of his journey to discover and proclaim his true self and to renew his faith. Transcending the Trauma of Paralysis—Paralyzed from the waist down at age 17, thirty years later this successful business woman has traveled the world and contributed to her community. Hear about how she overcame the challenges of societal, geographical, and architectural barriers. Wealthy and Abused—This woman grew up with a trust fund to provide for her, but was beaten as a child, robbed, cheated on, and lied to. Her compelling story describes how she not only survived abuse, but eventually thrived as an artist. Inter-Tribal Discrimination—This man experienced a rude awakening of being laughed at, picked on, and called names by children of other tribes. A fascinating story about a type of bullying/discrimination not often heard. Save the date: Sunday, September 20. Complete registration and selection instructions will be provided after September 1 on the Sedona International City of Peace Facebook page. For more information on the event or registration, contact Suzanne Miller at 52peonies@gmail.com. Sedona Public Library Column for August 28, 2020 Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director  What is your impression of true crime books and movies? Some people find true crime fascinating, while others avoid the genre because they associate it with serial killings, kidnappings, and other disturbing acts. In reality, true crime is a diverse genre that delves into topics such as history, art, sociology, and politics. And with the popularity of true crime documentaries like Tiger King and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, the genre is becoming more acceptable to mainstream audiences.
Here are a few true crime titles to put on your reading list:
You can often find both book and film versions of a true crime story. Try pairing the Melissa McCarthy movie Can You Ever Forgive Me with the book of the same name, by real-life literary forger Lee Israel. Or revisit the mystery of Sunny Von Bulow’s tragic life by reading “Reversal of Fortune,” by Alan Dershowitz, and watching the film adaptation starring Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close. All titles listed are available from the Yavapai Library Network. If you need help placing a hold, please call 928-282-7714, ext. 114. Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Please support your library by visiting the Library’s website at sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online donation, or mail your gift to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Sedona Public Library Column for August 21, 2020 Written by: Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian  Sedona Public Library has been adjusting its hours and services during the COVID-19 pandemic to make the Library as safe as possible. We are grateful for the ongoing support and cooperation of the community.
Please help us clear our holds shelves. Check your online account, and if you do not want to pick up items that are on hold, please cancel them. We can also cancel them for you; just give us a call or send an e-mail message to reference@sedonalibrary.org. Due to COVID-19 procedures, we are quarantining all returned items for a minimum of three days before we check them in and put them back on the shelves. You will not accrue any fines while the items are being held. A new autorenewal service has been put in place. If your checked-out items are eligible for renewal they will automatically be renewed. You will get a notice to inform you that they’ve been renewed and also which items are not eligible for renewal. We are wearing mask/face coverings and we ask that you also do this when you’re in the Library. If you don’t have one, we will provide one. The Library is now open for the following hours and services: SEDONA PUBLIC LIBRARY in West Sedona Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Curbside Pickup is offered for items available on hold. Call the Library from the parking lot and items will be checked out and brought to you. Please note: For ease of service, park in a parking space as close to the building as possible. Be sure to have your library card number and know your PIN number. Call 928-282-7714, option 2. We will ask you to identify the vehicle you’re driving, then check out your items and deliver them to your trunk or back window (please have one open). Monday through Friday, 2 to 5 pm. Use the library's computers or take advantage of indoor WiFi access with your own device. A reduced number of computers will be available to allow for adequate social distancing. During the afternoon hours you can also browse the collection and check out the items you’ve chosen, check out your items on hold, or apply for a library card. Please return all items in the outdoor book drop (“Depository” to the left of our front door). There is no inside drop off available at this time. The book drop is open all day, every day. VILLAGE LIBRARY in Bell Rock Plaza Thursday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. When you have been notified that your holds are available and you are ready to pick them up, come to the door and give us your name. While it is not necessary to call in advance, it expedites the process if you are picking up several items. Call 928-284-1603. You can also use the Library’s computers, printing, and fax service during the open hours. There are three computers for public use, and computer sessions are limited to 30 minutes. The outside book drop is open 24/7. Please know that our top priority is to provide a healthy and safe environment for our volunteers, employees, and of course, you.
We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work together in new ways. We look forward to seeing you! Sedona Public Library Column for August 14, 2020 Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director  Youth Services Librarian Viviane Kraus We are excited to announce that all children who participated in the 2020 “Imagine Your Story” Summer Reading Program can stop by and pick up their prizes--a free set of Disney comics--or let us bring them out to your car during curbside pickup hours. These comics were donated by the Bruce Hamilton Company.
The summer reading program closed on August 1, 2020, and all our lucky prize winners will be notified via phone or email. Thank you to local businesses for supporting our youth readers by donating prizes! Through the CARES Act, we were also able to provide many of our youth patrons with brand new books throughout the summer. Have your summer reading prizes delivered to your car by calling 928-282-7714, ext. 119, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; or come into the Library during open hours Monday through Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. and pick them up. Virtual Storytimes... The Youth Services Department has been having a blast creating virtual storytimes. We do hope to see you face-to-face again soon, but until then join us online to: create crafts with Meghan using simple materials you can find at home; learn Spanish with Maria at our bilingual storytime; sing along with Annette; and last, but not least, the dynamic Marcia continues her preschool storytimes. Join us on the Youth Services page on the Library website or on the Sedona Public Library Facebook page. New StoryWalk coming… The new StoryWalk book is coming to Sunset Park at 655 Sunset Drive, in Sedona. The StoryWalk is a safe activity that all ages can enjoy. Get some fresh air outdoors, learn how to say thank you in another language, and read “Thank You, Omu!” written and illustrated by Oge Mora, published by Little, Brown and Company. The trail is a paved, half-mile accessible path for walking and reading. “Thank You, Omu!” is a heartwarming story about community, giving, and friendship. Omu is pronounced “Ah-Moo'' and means “queen” in the Igbo language of Nigeria. Oge Mora’s cut paper collage illustrations complement the story beautifully. We hope you like “Thank You, Omu!” as much as we do. Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Please support your library by visiting the our website at sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online donation, or mail your donation to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Thank you! Sedona Public Library Column for August 7, 2020 Written by: Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Librarian  There’s no better time to read than the present. In fact, many people have shared that they have been reading more than ever during the pandemic. When picking up his holds at the Village library, one patron commented, “I have never read so many books in my life!”
If you need a good read, look no further than these recommendations offered by library patrons. Mike: For an informative book about the war on terror, I suggest reading “The Field of Fight” by Lt. General Michael T. Flynn and Michael Leeden. Janice: If you like nonfiction, I highly recommend “On the Clock” by Emily Guendelsberger. This book’s subtitle illuminates the topic: “What Low-Wage Work Did to Me and How It Drives America Insane.” Sara: I decided to revisit the classics: “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. Marv: I am hooked on the author Roald Dahl. I recently checked out “James and the Giant Peach” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Kevin: “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins will keep you turning pages. The protagonist and her son encounter harrowing experiences as they flee a drug cartel in Mexico. Will they make it to the U.S.? Cheryl: “The Red Lotus” by Chris Bohjalian is a thriller set in present-day Vietnam. I also recommend “The Flight Attendant” and “The Sandcastle Girls” by this author. Tom: My favorite author is James Lee Burke. I am anxiously awaiting the release of his new book “A Private Cathedral,” the latest in the Dave Robicheaux series. Carol: A really fun book that I enjoyed is “Hotel Babylon” by Imogen Edwards-Jones. It’s all about the nitty-gritty of working in a five-star hotel in London. Deb: I have two recommendations: “Still Life” by Louise Penny and “What to Eat” by Marion Nestle. Paul: I am a fan of the Gray Man series written by Mark Greaney. The Gray Man character has a reputation of being the ultimate assassin. The most recent book in this series is “One Minute Out.” Eddie: “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson was interesting to me. The novel is inspired by the actual blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s. Diane: I am reading the Kevin Kerney series by Michael McGarrity. In each book, Kerney investigates a mystery set in contemporary New Mexico. Start with “Tularosa,” the first book in the series. Gary: The author James Patterson never disappoints. I am currently reading “Blindside” featuring Detective Michael Bennett. These titles are available in various formats from the Yavapai Library Network. If you need assistance placing a hold, please contact the Library. Sedona Public Library in the Village is at Suite 51 A in Bell Rock Plaza. Thank you for supporting library services in the Village of Oak Creek. For updated information about Sedona Public Library in West Sedona and SPL in the Village, visit the library’s website. Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Please support your library by visiting the Library’s website at sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online donation or mail to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Sedona Public Library Column for August 31, 2020 Written by: Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village  It’s been my distinct pleasure to work with Karen Mack for just shy of ten years. When she arrived in Sedona from Flagstaff I knew she landed in the right place. And many others felt the same way.
In fact, Karen was recognized with the 2019 Outstanding Youth Services Librarian Award by the Arizona Library Association. The letters of support for her nomination are heartfelt and heartwarming and I’d like to share some excerpts from the letters. One speaks of Karen’s “unwavering commitment towards improvement and growth, and her high level of compassion and devotion to the community. This is demonstrated with her patient and helpful demeanor, as well as her procurement of a vast array of educational materials including games, science kits, tech toys, play structures, and art supplies through grants. It is also shown in the way she interacts with youth: when she is sitting at a computer to help a struggling teen with homework, guiding a restless child towards a book and listening to them read, or playfully challenging a child to try something new—whether it is a game of chess or a new genre of YA literature.” Another comments that “She has made visits to the local homeless center after work to communicate and develop a better understanding of issues facing our younger patrons. Karen’s sense of caring extends beyond her role as a librarian to one of a citizen who deeply cares about our community.” And finally, “The impact of Karen’s many contributions are reflected in the stream of praise from local families and visitors from afar, in her relationships with coworkers who enjoy her friendship and professional support, and most of all, the number of child patrons who express interest in wanting to be a librarian. I think this is the true testament of how Karen Mack is an exemplary model of her profession.” Before joining the staff at Sedona Public Library, Karen worked for eight years in a rural public library in Ontario, Canada and twelve years at the Flagstaff Public Library. We were most fortunate to have Karen as part of our staff in Sedona. Karen will soon be leaving the area to move closer to her parents, children and grandchildren. She says: “This is truly bittersweet. It makes me very sad to leave such a top notch, energetic, supportive group of professional people here at the library. I will have the absolute best memories of this place and love you all." And we will have the very best memories of Karen doing story hours in the children’s room and will continue to watch her engaging online story time recordings on the Library’s website and Facebook page. Karen, we wish you the very best as you open a new chapter with your move. It’s been great working with you and we will miss your energy and positive spirit. Bon voyage! Sedona Public Library Column for July 24, 2020 Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director  Certain authors have a predictable publication date for the next book in a series. Paul Doiron usually releases his latest book at the end of June, just in time for a delicious summer read. This year he didn’t disappoint.
Doiron is the best-selling author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels set in the Maine woods. His first book, “The Poacher’s Son,” won several prestigious literary awards for crime and mystery writing. His newest book, “One Last Lie,” received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. And Booklist said: “Doiron’s masterful plotting pulls it all together, and the reader gets to meet an odd assortment of extraordinarily well-defined characters—good guys and bad—while learning more about both the natural and the political history of the Pine Tree State.” I was introduced to the Mike Bowditch series by library volunteer Joyce Kelly a few years ago. We’ll have more volunteer recommendations for you throughout the summer. When I finished reading “One Last Lie,” Doiron’s eleventh novel, I was delighted to find an interview he gave on a website that is new to me: Criminal Element (criminalelement.com). Criminal Element is a crime-fiction-community website owned and operated by the publishing company Macmillan, but it is publisher-neutral in its selection of books, authors, and materials for coverage and discussion. It features book reviews, excerpts, original author essays, film and television reviews, conference and awards coverage, podcasts, and more. It covers the coziest mystery to the most hardcore noir and everything in between. Doiron’s interview on Criminal Element is part of a regular column called Book Series Binge. Exploring Book Series Binge is a great way to discover new writers and learn more about your favorite ones. Some of the featured authors are: Allison Brennan (Lucy Kincaid series); Archer Mayor (Joe Gunther series); Kate Mosse (Burning Chambers series); Leonard Goldberg (Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series); Daniel Friedman (Buck Schatz series); and Jane K. Cleland (Josie Prescott Antiques mysteries). If you’re following the Vera television series, you’ll want to look at the posts about author Ann Cleeves and the Vera Stanhope series. Stay cool and enjoy reading books by a new or favorite author this summer! Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Please support your library by visiting the Library’s website at sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online donation or mail to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Sedona Public Library Column for July 17, 2020 Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director |
