A menu of new programs for children, teens

​As published in the Red Rock News

Good day Red Rock News readers and families! January has brought the return of programming to Sedona Public Library. Much like when your favorite restaurant switches culinary styles from Italian to Tex-Mex, this month offers the soft opening of our new in-person “menu” in Youth Services.   
   
For an appetizer, may we recommend our Toddler Play n’ Learn program, Monday mornings from 10 to 10:45 a.m. in Youth Services. This fun program runs now through March 7 and it’s a great time to play and explore music, art, and reading with Miss Marcia. The program is best suited for children ages 1 to 3 years. It pairs well with our new Red Rock Drumming program, led by Harta from Sedona Wellness Drumming, Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. in Youth Services. Explore rhythms with music and movement, songs and dance, quizzes and games with drums, shakers, rattles, and more now through March 3! Drumming is great for ages 0-5 years, but all ages are welcome.   
  
If you’re looking for a program with a bit more meat on the bone, our new Teen Dungeons and Dragons Club may be perfect for you. Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game, recently made popular again by the Netflix show Stranger Things. Teen patrons, ages 11 to 18, can learn to play working with the Volunteen DM (Dungeon Master) and using their imagination! The club meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Quiet Study Room. This program runs now through March 23. To register go to sedonalibrary.org, click the events tab and go to the second or fourth Wednesday on the monthly calendar. 
  
Still hungry? We’ve got more! Flex your mental appetite with Chess Club, Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. With the help of Dr. David Beyer, aspiring Bobby Fishers can practice their chess strategies. All skill levels are welcome at Youth Services! The club is recommended for ages 10 and up.  
  
For dessert, our second Saturdays Cartooning Class with Mr. Jan(imal) is the perfect way to start your weekend. Join us from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Quiet Study Room. Learn from yours truly—local cartoonist and Sedona Public Library's Program and Marketing Coordinator. All drawing materials will be provide. The cartooning class runs through the end of the year. 

For teens’ enhanced experience, we have added two computer stations and increased seating to the Teen Area of the Library. We have also relocated the Young Adult audiobooks and Playaways to the general collection and spruced up the Teen Area with fun comic book, anime, and pop culture posters. To help give our teens their own defined space to be themselves, we have added signage indicating that this space is reserved for 11 to 18 year olds after 2 p.m. and all day on Saturdays. These changes have been well received by the Tweens and Teens.    

I hope you’ve enjoyed a tour of the new menu for in-person programs in Youth Services at the Library, we’re excited to have you back! Please be sure to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as our Calendar of Events at sedonalibrary.org, for more information on all the new and upcoming programs and events at the Library.  
 Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts supplement the funding and support we receive from the City of Sedona, Coconino and Yavapai County property taxes, and Friends of the Sedona Library. Visit sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online gift. Thank you!   

Sedona Public Library
​Column for January 21, 2022   
Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator