It’s our 60th anniversary – want to help us celebrate? There must be 60 ways to love your library. . .  
1. Check Out a Book – We have more than 64,000 of them!
2. Log on to FREE WiFi – We’re here for you – in two locations.
3. Close Your Eyes, Open Your Heart – Pumphouse Poetry, April 27, 5 p.m.
4. Donate – We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, happy for your financial support.
5. Watch a Monday Night Movie – Stranger on Horseback, April 30, 6 p.m. It’s FREE!
6. Download a Book – Whaaaat? Yep! It’s free and easy, visit www.sedonalibrary.org.
7. Celebrate Reading with Little Ones – Raising a Reader, 3-5 yr. olds, May 3, 3:30 p.m.
8. Buy a Book – The Friends Used Book Store: great sales and selections. Check it out!
9. Tell Us Your Library Story – You know you’ve got one. Go to www.sedonalibrary.org.
10. Empty Your Change Jar – Donate it to the Library; we’ll do the counting for you!
11. Discuss Cha’risa’s Gift – The Read Around Sedona 2018 book choice, April 30, 6 p.m.
12. Speak French – 1st and 3rd  Tuesdays, 2 p.m.
13. Express Yourself – Join Sedona Writers Salon, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 4 p.m.
14. Write a Check – 60 bucks for 60 years!
15. Have Fun – Crafternoon for Youth! May 2, 2 p.m.
16. Like Us on Facebook – We’re pretty hard not to like.
17. Find a Job – Career Transitions makes it easier; head over to Reference.
18. Conduct Academic Research – Academic OneFile, we’ve got it!
19. Borrow a Book from Faraway through ILL– Tampa, Honolulu, Bridgeport, and more!
20. Ask a Librarian a Question – Make it a tough one, they love a challenge!
21. Be Colorful – Sedona Coloring Club, twice a month, check our calendar.
22. Leaf through an Art Book – Our collection is beautiful.
23. Watch a Favorite Film – We’ve got thousands of DVDs available.
24. Go Rogue – Read a book . . . make it a banned one.
25. Preview a Catalog – We’ve got OLLI’s!
26. Selfie Time – T. rex and Sedona Schnebly are waiting for you.
27. Scan a Document, Send a Fax – We’ve got what you need.
28. Take Up Knitting – Go to 746.42 to learn how.
29. Plan Your Summer Yard – In the latest “Phoenix Home & Garden.”
30. Listen to a Local Healer – Phyllis Hogan from Winter Sun, May 3, 1:30 p.m.
31. Join Our Mailing List – Everything you need to know at sedonalibrary.org
32. Sing! – Music Morning with Annette, May 3, 10:30 a.m.
33. Expand Your Reading Horizons – NoveList Plus finds other authors you might like.
34. Volunteer! – Connect with 150 others who love the Library.
35. Suggest a Book – Maybe we’ll add it to the 64,000.
36. Learn Local Culture and Lore – Wander through our Arizona collection.
37. DATE NIGHT! – We’re open late on Wednesdays . . . Just sayin’.
38. Study the Rocks – SE corner. Geology Wall. Enjoy the view while you’re there.
39. Give on PayPal – It’s easy at sedonalibrary.org
40. Play Chess – Youth Chess Club, Thursdays, 3:45 p.m.
41. Improve Your Spanish – Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
42. Drink Coffee with a Veteran – 2nd Fridays, 10 a.m.
43. Review Important Topics – League of Women Voters, May 3, 6 p.m.
44. Become a Member – The Friends need you, and we need the Friends.
45. Offer Suggestions – We’re fixing up the place, and we need your input. Come on by.
46. Stay in the Know – With the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and more.
47. Be Cultured – Free entry to Arizona museums and more with the Culture Pass.
48. Get a Tan While You’re Skyping – WiFi on the courtyard.
49. Grow the Grandchildren’s Tree – Honor loved ones with a gold, bronze, or silver leaf.
50. Admire Our Indoor Gardens – Carefully tended by local garden club.
51. Let Us Help You Plan Your Visit – And sign up for a visitor’s library card, too.
52. Bring Your Used Books to the Bookstore – Buy a few while you’re there.
53. Tell a Friend; Tell Your Family; Tell Everyone – Sedona Public Library is the BEST!
54. Repeat Your Gift Every Month – Recurring gifts are easy at www.sedonalibrary.org.
55. Balance and Center – We’ve got great quiet spaces so you can get your calm on.
56. Find a Friend – They don’t call us the “Heart of Sedona” for nothing.
57. Access Veterans’ Stories – Veterans History Project, online and in the Library.
58. Improve Your English – Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
59. Shop with AmazonSmile – And support your public library when you do.
60. Eat Cake! – Join us to celebrate 60 years of serving the community, April 28, 1 p.m.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for April 27, 2018
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

A library is one of the most common and relied upon places for collecting stories, and as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, Sedona Public Library decided to collect a few of our own. Many volunteers, patrons, staff, and visitors have shared their thoughts, memories, and well wishes for the next 60 years. We’d like to share some of their messages.
 
Our storytellers range in age from 9 years old to 75, and there is one 5-month-old baby who would have written if she could. Our writers are both visitors and residents, many who came to Sedona from as far away as New York, Chicago, Knoxville, Houston, Lahaina Hawaii, Canada, and Nepal. Common themes in the submissions include gratitude, awe, relief, and joy. Let’s take a closer look at what people are saying about Sedona Public Library.
 
Jarell, 32, tells us that the staff is “always helpful, kind and informative, and proof that libraries are still relevant and important in an ever-changing society.”
 
Linda, a grandmother, says that Sedona Public Library is the Jewel of Sedona because of “the sense of community the Library creates. (It) promotes good citizenship in children.” She says, “The children learn to share and play together, which is especially important for an only child.”

Julie, 55, writes that the Library is the Jewel of Sedona because “of the wonderful relationship they have with the residents of Sedona Winds. They provide guest speakers and book discussions.”
 
Anne, 73, a local writer, says that the Library has “many, varied books that tickle my brain.” She notes that the Library is “open to ordering new books for the collection and has the latest books we all love and need to read.” Anne refers to the Library as “a type of intellectual Sedona center” and compares the beauty of the Library to none other than the Library of Congress in D.C.
 
So many authors talked about how important the Library was to them when they first moved to Sedona. For instance, we have this from Robin. “When I first moved to Sedona and didn’t know a single person here, the Sedona Library was a refuge where I could sit for hours . . . to help ease the loneliness of a quiet apartment.” Robin now brings her children to the Library and writes that her family loves our Culture Pass, STEM programs, and the ease of using Sedona Public Library in the Village.

Another parent, Emily, 28, mentions how challenging being a new mom is, especially in a foreign country! “The Library has been my sanctuary for meeting other families and building friendships . . . The Library has helped my baby socialize and interact with others in a place where we knew no one.”
 
Chris, 57, here on vacation, said, “The Wi-Fi at the resort was terrible. I had to send a large business email and was able to send this easily over your Wi-Fi. Sedona Public Library is a life saver!”
 
Debra, another writer, spends three months a year in Sedona with her family. “The library is definitely a strong strand of our Sedona experience. She loved the Blind Date with a Book program for Valentine’s Day. “What a novel idea!” She loves the bookstore and the French class and tells us, “As a journalist and author, it is so gratifying for me to see how busy the library is and how much this community thrives because of its vibrant presence.”
 
Pradumna, 12, reflects on how amazing he found the library the first time he entered, and now he always feels happy and relaxed when he enters. “The Library youth services helped me find my true potential in reading.” He loves the chance to read advanced reader editions. “How cool is it to read books that didn’t even come out yet?”
 
And from a former board member, Barbara, 75, who speaks fondly of days long ago. “I served on the fundraising committee for our facility . . . We promoted events such as Cooks for Books, The Lunch Bunch . . . and Dinner in the Stacks.” She notes how hard the board worked and their pride in a library that “contributes as a place of learning for the community.”

There were many notes and wishes, and this one sums them all up: “Thank you Sedona Library, again and again, for all you’ve done to enrich our lives.”
 
We encourage all of you who have used and enjoyed Sedona Public Library to drop us a line. We are grateful to learn how much the Library means to you and your families, and we will collect stories all year long. Visit the Library to pick up a form or find one at sedonalibrary.org. Please join us on April 28, at 1 pm, to kick off our 60th anniversary celebration with song and poetry, an art sale, special guest speakers, refreshments, and of course, more stories!

​Sedona Public Library
Column for April 20, 2018
Written by Anne Marie Mackler

Along with libraries and organizations across the country, we celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 15–22. The friendships made by volunteering are priceless and the benefits to our library are enormous.  We are truly grateful for the nearly 15,000 hours of volunteer service given by 157 volunteers last year.
 
We love our volunteers at Sedona Public Library and we’ve scheduled an Appreciation Brunch on Sunday, April 15, to thank them for their contributions.  Special recognition will be given to these dedicated volunteers who have been training new volunteers:  Tricia Egger, Jeff Harvey, Connie Hinkle, Joyce Kelly, Sandy Kreml, Gerri Perrin, Linda Schermer, Fay Shouse, Kathy Wege and Donna Ruhe.
 
We will also recognize volunteers for their milestone years of service.  Contributing Five Years:  Susan Cohen, Carolyn Daugherty, Pam Dorris, Peggy Fread and Ilana Maletz; Ten Years:  Tricia Egger and Richard Sauck; Fifteen Years:  Hiro Miyakawa and Diane Schwilling; Twenty years:  Don Schwartzmiller.

Sedona is blessed with a wealth of people willing to devote their time and energy to help make the community a vibrant place to live.  As an institution created and sustained by volunteers, Sedona Public Library is well aware of their value.  Our volunteers work both behind the scenes and in the public eye and we couldn’t do it without them.
 
Most volunteers work one shift per week, but many work more.  Some volunteers work for more than one department.  Other volunteers prefer to be on-call only and substitute for volunteers who are away. Most shifts are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 or 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Evening shifts are Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
 
If you would like to work with others who share a passion for our library, please call Volunteer Coordinator Marisol Molina at 928-282-7714, ext 143 or fill out an application online.  After you fill out an application, we will call you for an interview and in-depth library tour.
 
Join the millions of people who find fulfillment in working with and helping others in their communities. Become a volunteer today!
 
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 made online through our website or sent to:  Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for April 13, 2018
Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director

April is a month of special holidays, both religious and secular. Many Sedona Public Library patrons celebrate Easter or Passover, and children of all ages enjoy April Fool’s Day.
 
However, you may not know there is another special day in April dedicated to recognizing the hard work, dedication, and expertise of library workers. Appropriately, it is called National Library Workers Day, and this year it’s on April 10. I am excited about this day because the staff at Sedona Library are wonderful and deserve the recognition.
 
I highly encourage you to come down to the Library, in either Sedona or the Village, and thank your favorite library staff worker for all that they do. Another way to honor your favorite is to nominate a library “Star” through the National Library Workers Day website, http://ala-apa.org/nlwd/.
 
Anne Marie, the Library’s development director, once told me that she had never worked before with such humble people. But not today! In this column, I’m proclaiming to the world what a great job we do!
 
Our regular patrons are familiar with many of the front-line staff. Karen Mack, Meghan, and Marcia provide an amazing variety of programs for young people, from babies through teens. There are story times, including bilingual presentations, as well as science activities. The youth services staff works closely with local schools to supplement their educational offerings.
 
Dorothy is our library assistant at the circulation desk. She does a wonderful job of issuing cards and explaining library policies to new patrons. Andrea, Sophia, Mary, Kay, and Marcy staff the reference desk, answering all types of questions and helping patrons with computer problems. And Cheryl, who manages Sedona Library in the Village with help from Marie and a team of volunteers, provides an incredible array of services to residents of the Village.
 
Andrea Christelle is the newest member of our staff, and she can often be found sitting at the desk near the community room. That’s convenient, since her title is program and outreach manager. Contact Andrea for information on scheduling programs in the community room and other library spaces; she is also open to suggestions about possible events that the Library might co-sponsor.

Behind the scenes, there are also stellar library personnel diligently working for the organization. Pamela is our business manager, and she is a wealth of information about running a nonprofit and the procedures and policies here at the Library. You will also find her hosting the Monday night movie, which is one of our most popular programs.  
 
Marisol has the tremendous organizational skills needed for a volunteer coordinator managing over 150 volunteers at the Library and organizing two major appreciation events annually. She interviews, trains, and orients new volunteers and makes sure they are happy in their jobs.
 
Katherine and Karen also work behind the scenes, processing and cataloging new books, DVDs, and audiobooks for both the adult and youth collections. Each month, they add hundreds of new items for our patrons to check out. Elizabeth selects the new items for the collection. John and Brady maintain the facilities, and Zach maintains our computer system.
 
Whatever the tasks or challenges at Sedona Public Library, the staff works hard to meet your needs while providing excellent customer service. But we not only endeavor to fulfill your expectations, we do our best to go the extra mile. And that’s what makes us shine!
 
All of us at Sedona Public Library enjoy our work, and we value our interactions with our patrons. Please join with us, your local library workers, as we celebrate this very special day in our professional world. 

​Sedona Public Library
Column for April 6, 2018
Written by Sophia Zarifis-Russell, Reference Assistant