As we close out Love Your Library Month, we’d like to say thank you to Rayna Griffin, for her recent “love letter” to the Library. 
 
Rayna’s long and touching letter begins this way: “I am a 34+ year resident of Sedona.  The Sedona Public Library has always been there for my family and myself and others.” Rayna shared that she had enjoyed people-watching from a quiet bench on a recent Friday afternoon.  “People coming and going… alone or with friends and spouses.  Young mothers and their children hand-in-hand.  I loved the sight!”
 
Her letter ends:  “Thank you!  Especially during this I Love My Library month.  What a legacy of love and community, a peaceful place for education and pleasure you bring to all of us!”  Thank you, Rayna, for supporting the Library and for your kind words.
 
During March we’ll be focusing on health and wellness and highlighting the many ways Sedona Public Library can help you with your resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, and take better care of yourself.

To kick off the month, the Library will offer a free health screening on Wednesday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Si Birch Community Room. Provided and funded by Northern Arizona Healthcare, the screening is designed to assess the risk of diabetes and heart disease by measuring cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood glucose. No fasting is required, and no appointment is necessary.

What people appreciate most about the Library’s health screenings is the helpful follow-up consultation with the healthcare professionals who conduct the tests. They do not simply hand you a print-out with numbers that you have to interpret—they take the time to explain your results, they inquire about your diet, exercise, and other habits, and suggest changes to your lifestyle that could lead to better health. 

The free health screenings at the Library are making a difference in community members’ quality of life. At a recent screening, one participant stated, “Because of the screening, I am making good progress toward better health. I feel motivated to continue.” 

Another example of the program’s success is the story of a couple who changed their lifestyles and eating habits after they were screened. In a letter, they expressed their thanks: “We wanted to thank you for opening our eyes to the severity of how bad our health issues were. With your help we were able to make a change. We had no clue how serious it was.”

After your screening, you can peruse the Library’s health-related resources for more information about your health concern. Regardless of your approach to healthcare, whether you favor conventional, alternative, or complementary remedies, you’ll find a book, newsletter, magazine, or other item on the shelf or available to place on hold or order from another library.

Your library card also gives you access to online magazines. Using the Zinio database, you can download full digital copies of your favorite magazines to your computer or mobile device.

Watch for more helpful tips during March to put you on the path to better health.

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partially supported by the City of Sedona and Yavapai and Coconino Counties. We also require donations and grants to fund our operations. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.  

Sedona Public Library
Column for February 26, 2016
Written by:  Virginia Volkman, Library Director

As Love Your Library month draws to a close, I hope you have discovered some of the many ways the Library can enrich—and even transform—your life. Sedona Public Library is a place where you can connect to a world of possibilities, and by taking advantage of the dozens of free services we provide, you and your family can enjoy a higher quality of life, save thousands of dollars every year, harness the power of information, and build lifelong friendships.
 
Sedona is a vibrant and ever-changing community, and the Library is continually adapting to better serve the diverse needs of residents. As we develop services to meet your needs, we take to heart a key message of the American Library Association: “Libraries today are less about what they have for people and more about what they do for and with people.” Here are just a few examples of how the Library has succeeded in transforming the lives of Sedona residents:
 ·         A mother of two learned to understand and speak basic English by coming to the Library’s ESL classes. She is working towards her dream of being fluent so she can help her children with their school assignments.
·         A 97-year-old Sedona Winds resident participated in a workshop to learn how to download free library e-books to his e-reader. No longer able to drive, this voracious reader is enjoying the convenience of accessing library books from home. 
·         A new resident looking for work came to the Library to use the jobs computer. Library staff helped her update her resume, and she subsequently received two job offers.
 
Still wondering what the Library can do for you? The last week of Love Your Library month is a great time to find out. Join us for coffee, cookies, and coloring during special hours this Sunday; watch a screening of “The Martian” on Monday evening; and get tax help from AARP volunteers on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  In the Village of Oak Creek, attend a discussion of the book “Water for Elephants” at Sedona Winds on Tuesday.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partially supported by the City of Sedona and Yavapai and Coconino Counties.  We also require donations and grants to fund our operations. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for February 19, 2016
Written by:  Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian

It’s no coincidence that Love Your Library Month happens in February—the month we also celebrate love and friendship on Valentine’s Day. Why not get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day by wearing your Love Your Library button and paying us a visit? Whether you need a last-minute idea for creating a special Valentine’s gift or want to stock up on books and DVDs for the long weekend ahead, we’ll help you find what you’re looking for at the Library.
 
If you are planning a Valentine’s meal, then peruse our huge selection of cooking and baking books. Check out the Valentine’s Day recipes in “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays,” by bestselling food writer Ree Drummond. In the new arrivals section, look for titles such as “The Homemade Kitchen: Recipes for Cooking with Pleasure,” by Alana Chernila, and“The Violet Bakery Cookbook,” by Claire Ptak.
 
The February issues of cooking, crafts, and lifestyle magazines offer plenty of suggestions for Valentine’s Day food, activities, decorations, and presents. Pick up a magazine at the Library, or visit www.sedonalibrary.org to access Zinio, our digital magazine collection.  
 
Browse the Library’s DVD collection for the perfect romantic movie. We have everything from classics like “An Affair to Remember” and “Gone with the Wind” to the contemporary favorites “The Notebook,” “Titanic,” and “Pretty Woman.”
 
Embrace the romance genre on Valentine’s Day with a novel by Jojo Moyes, Nora Roberts, or Debbie Macomber, or try a Valentine’s-themed cozy mystery. You can get motivated to celebrate love all year long with an inspirational book like “Tiny Buddha’s 365 Tiny Love Challenges,” by Lori Deschene.
 
There are so many reasons to drop by the Library during Love Your Library month, and we hope to see you soon. Have a happy Valentine’s Day and an enjoyable President’s Day weekend!
 
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 tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for February 12, 2016
Written by:  Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian

As the Library celebrates Love Your Library Month in February, we also celebrate Black History Month.  We’ll be offering programs that highlight the role African Americans played in Arizona history and in American literature.  A lively music program will round out the month’s offerings.
·         On Wednesday, February 10, Akua Duku Anokye will present “African American Pioneers of Arizona.” The presentation begins at 1:30 p.m. at Sedona Winds, 405 Jacks Canyon Road.
This compelling presentation shares stories about prominent African Americans who contributed to the life and culture of Arizona. Each individual’s life is contextualized using prominent events that have taken place in Arizona and the impact his/her work had on the social, cultural, and political lives of the state is discussed.

Akua Duku Anokye is Associate Professor of Africana Language, Literature, and Culture and Director of International Initiatives at Arizona State University’s New College. Her research centers on African Diaspora orality and literacy practices, folklore, and oral history focusing on Ghanaian culture, religion, storytelling, and dance. Her current projects feature Arizona culture and life.

Funded by Arizona Humanities and the Sedona Friends of the Library, the program is free and open to the public. Please note: parking and seating are limited at this location.
·         On Thursday, February 11, plan to attend “The Harlem Renaissance: Literary Movement,” with Gladys Preshenda Jackson. This Arizona Humanities program, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the main library on White Bear Road.
Jackson’s interactive presentation, which includes storytelling, poetry, theater, art, and song, will explore the unique and exciting history of African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance cultural movement. Spanning the 1920s and early 1930s, this unprecedented period of expression is associated with renowned writers such as Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and W.E.B. Du Bois. 

Gladys Preshenda Jackson is a fourth-generation storyteller, an award-winning poet, and a performing artist.  During her tenure as an Artist-In-Residence for the FRIENDS of Arts Education at the internationally acclaimed Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California, she shared her stories with tens of thousands of K-12 students, putting to good use her exceptional verbal artistry. 
·         On Friday, February 19, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. in the main library’s Si Birch Community Room, youth services welcomes local musical duo Mor Beautiful Melodies with a special Black History program.
Mor Beautiful Melodies is a spirited and intuitive jazz duo consisting of thought provoking jazz guitarist Solomon Morris and eclectic vocalist TW Morris.  These native New Yorkers worked for many years in the field of education.  Solomon worked in public and private education spanning both primary and secondary grades, while Theresa's career includes 10+ years in an elementary school library. 

They’ll be exploring spirituals, the blues, and folk heroes such as John Henry.  They turn what was once old into something new again with storytelling and role playing.

We hope that you’ll join us at one of the many programs the Library is offering this month.  Check our events calendar at www.sedonalibrary.org for information about additional programs.

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Donations and grants allow us to continue to offer free and innovative services to residents and visitors. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for February 5, 2016
Written by Virginia Volkman, Director

This February, Sedona Public Library is celebrating Love Your Library Month. It’s our way of encouraging you to take advantage of the many free services we offer and to demonstrate your support for the Library.  

Do you love your library? Show your spirit all month by wearing a “Love Your Library” button.  Get your free button at the main library in West Sedona or Sedona Public Library in the Village. Pick up your button today and show your pride. We want to see Love Your Library buttons all over town!

Haven’t been to the Library recently?  Dust off your library card and come see what’s new.  We have e-readers available for loan and free e-books to download to your own device.  Check out our extensive collection of DVDs, including blockbuster movies, television series, and foreign films.

If you don’t have a library card, now is the perfect time to apply for one.  Stop by either of our locations with your photo ID and proof of local residency. Your library card is free and will give you access to library materials at 42 libraries in the Yavapai Library Network.   

Special Sunday hours on February 21:
Can’t make it to the Library during our regular hours?  Stop by the main library on Sunday, February 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. to take advantage of our many services. You can also tap into your creativity, enjoy a cup of coffee, and relax, as we have fun exploring the coloring craze that is sweeping the nation.

Many programs to meet a variety of interests are planned for Love Your Library Month. These are some of the programs and displays offered at the main library on 3250 White Bear Road in February:
·         Annual Quilt Show through February 27.
·         Northern Arizona Watercolor Society display February 2 through 16.
·         AARP tax help will be offered on a first-come first-served basis every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
·         Free movie every Monday at 6 p.m. in the Si Birch Community Room.
·         February 1 at 10:10 a.m.: Great Decisions Group will discuss the Middle East. Guests should register by calling 204-1125 or 282-3558. For information: regurgena@npgcable.com
·         February 9 at 2 p.m.: Mystery Book Club
·         February 11 at 6 p.m.: Arizona Humanities program on the Harlem Renaissance literary movement, presented by Gladys Preshenda Jackson, a fourth-generation storyteller, an award-winning poet, and a performing artist.
·         February 12 at 10 a.m.: Coffee with a Vet
·         February 17 at 7 p.m.: Northern Arizona Audubon Society welcomes guests to their program “Let’s Play Bird Games,” with Nanette Armstrong.
·         February 21 at 1:30 p.m.: Oak Creek Apples offers an iPhone/iPad workshop. Preregistration is required; send email to oakcreekapples@gmail.com
·         February 22 at 10:10 a.m.: Great Decisions Group will discuss the future of Kurdistan.
Join us for the following programs in the Village of Oak Creek:
·         February 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Sedona Winds: Arizona Humanities program on African American Pioneers of Arizona, presented by Akua Duku Anokye, Associate Professor of Africana Language, Literature, and Culture at Arizona State University.
·         February 17, from 5 to 7 p.m.: Open House at the new library location at 51 Bell Rock Plaza. Stop by for refreshments and enter the raffle to win a Kindle Fire.
·         February 23 at 1:30 at Sedona Winds: Book discussion of “Water for Elephants.”
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Donations and grants allow us to continue to offer free and innovative services to residents and visitors. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for January 29, 2016
Written by Virginia Volkman, Director