After 12 years, VOC library manager Cheryl Yeatts bids farewell

As published in the Red Rock News

After nearly 12 years of service as the manager of the Village Library, Cheryl Yeatts is moving on, and we ask you to join us in thanking her for her dedication and hard work and wishing her well in her new endeavors.

Cheryl joined the staff at Sedona Public Library in August of 2010 when the Village Library was a mere service center on Cortez Drive in the Village of Oak Creek. She had previously worked as the librarian at West Sedona School.

Cheryl said, “After the school librarian position was cut due to budget constraints, a friend contacted me about the position at Sedona Public Library, and I convinced former Library Director Ginny Volkman to hire me!”

For Cheryl, working at Sedona Public Library was her “dream job.” She credits this to all the people who support the Library and the many people she has met who love the Library as much as she does. She is very excited about the recent expansion of the Village Library. “Residents in the Village appreciate and deserve a top-notch library.”

In fact, one of Cheryl’s all time best memories of her tenure was the Grand Opening of the new expanded branch at Big Park Community School last November. “I was moved by the turnout! The entire community helped make the dream of a branch library in the Village become a reality.” She beams as she says, “The Library now has its perfect home.”

Cheryl had been at the helm during four moves for the small service center to different locations in the Village. She laughs remembering when the service center was newly in The Collective (formerly Tequa) and patrons were not yet familiar with the layout. In fact, the newly located book drop suffered a bit and was hit several times. “We had to finally replace it,” Cheryl explained. “Someone tried to repair it with layers of duct tape!” She fondly remembers that it was Friends of the Sedona Library and the Sedona 30 that funded the purchase of a new book drop.

Much of Cheryl’s tenure, with all its poignant and funny moments, was with Ginny Volkman, former Library Director. Ginny offers this tribute. “The Village of Oak Creek residents have been truly blessed to have Cheryl as the manager of their Library. During her tenure she has created a warm and friendly atmosphere at each of the Library's locations and brought innovative programs to the community in her own special way. It was a pleasure to observe Cheryl as she went above and beyond to give excellent customer service and as she cultivated her relationships with patrons and volunteers. The Village Library is a dynamic, responsive, and welcoming community hub for all thanks to Cheryl's enthusiastic, farsighted, and graceful leadership. It was my privilege to work closely with Cheryl for ten years and share many exciting, interesting, and enjoyable moments with her!”

As career shifts often are, this is a bittersweet move for Cheryl. She is grateful for many wonderful years working at the Village Library and says Sedona Public Library will always hold a special place in her heart. But she is also excited about her next adventure.

Cheryl and her husband Gary are moving to Peoria, AZ. “It was a difficult decision to leave Sedona, but we realized we need to be closer to the city,” Chery explained. “I am considering retirement, but I am not sure I am ready to retire. For the time being, I will spend quality time with my husband and cats, unpack a million boxes, and participate in some of the activities our new community offers.

Judy Poe, Library Director, says that finding someone to replace Cheryl will be no easy task. “We’ll need someone with lots of enthusiasm and a knack for building resilient community relationships.” Judy, and all the Library staff and board, wish Cheryl all the best. Please stop by the Village Library next week and wish Cheryl well. She’d love to see you.
 
Sedona Public Library 
Column for March 25, 2022 
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

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