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We are in for a long, hot summer. One of the best ways to deal with the heat is to read a book while lounging by the pool or relaxing in the air conditioning.
So many books are available that choosing the right one for you can be a daunting task. Here are a few suggestions to help you find your next great book, courtesy of library patrons and staff: Choose a book written by your favorite author: Dan is a fan of David Baldacci. He is currently reading “Redemption.” This book features the character Amos Decker in the Memory Man series. He is looking forward to reading “The Long Road to Mercy” with Baldacci’s new female protagonist, Atlee Pine. Re-read your favorite book: Ann’s favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee. She first read this classic in sixth grade and has been reading it every summer for fifty years. Select a book about a topic that interests you. Cindy loves art and is currently reading “Picasso: In His Words,” by Pablo Picasso. She shared, “It’s a small book that shows some of his quotes mixed in with pictures of his artwork. I think it is a great book, and it is a very easy read.” Read a book in a series. Edwin just finished “River God,” by Wilbur Smith. This is the first of six books in the author’s Ancient Egypt series. Next, he plans to read “The Seventh Scroll,” the second book in the series. Explore your favorite genre. Lauren highly recommends “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon. She explains, “I love fantasy novels and had read Samantha Shannon’s other works before reading this book. Reading this delicious book was like having decadent chocolates sitting next to me 24 hours a day and trying to resist eating them all at once. I wanted to rush through it, yet I needed to savor every word.” Improve your language skills by reading a book written in a foreign language: Maria is currently reading "Locos, Ricos y Asiáticos.” Translated, that title is “Crazy Rich Asians,” by Kevin Kwan. Ask your friends for recommendations. When I asked my friends what they were currently reading, I received a diverse list of books from several genres:
These books are available in various formats from the Yavapai Library Network. If you need assistance placing a hold, please contact the Library. Be sure to join our Summer Reading Program for even more ways to enjoy the summer. To learn more about all that we offer at Sedona Public Library, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, or to make an online gift, please visit us at www.sedonalibrary.org. Sedona Public Library Column for June 28, 2019 Written By: Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village “S” is for summer, and the first day of this fun season is perfect for launching “Some Smug Slug,” Sedona Public Library’s newest StoryWalk* exhibit at Sunset Park. This hilarious book by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole, is chock-full of alliteration, and it challenges children, and adults, to find the hidden “s” on every page. Head over to the park, skip from frame to frame, and giggle yourself silly in Sedona sunshine as you read the new story.
It’s hard to believe that a mere two years ago, the Library piloted this literacy project at Sunset Park with a shoestring budget and a lot of enthusiasm. That first StoryWalk exhibit, funded by Goldenstein Gallery, consisted of laminated storybook pages hung with O-rings along the chain-link fence in the northwest corner of the park. We literally had to weather the challenges. The pages flapped in the wind, steamed up in the monsoons, and dried out in blasting heat. But even against the hazards of high desert summers, that first outdoor story survived and succeeded as hundreds of people loved the experience of reading a story outdoors. We knew we had a winner. It wasn’t too difficult to convince additional funders that this notion of bringing literature outdoors was a really good one. With the support of the Arizona Community Foundation, the Langston Family Foundation, and the City of Sedona, StoryWalk is now a permanent literacy activity. The Library installed 18 heavy-duty, weather-resistant frames for the story pages, and will purchase and prepare several storybooks each year for the next few years. “Some Smug Slug” is number four, and according to publisher Harper Collins, “Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole have created another alliterative tale that will have children snorting out loud at the surprise ending for this very smug slug.” Starting today, you can scuttle from one frame to the next at Sunset Park. Begin near the toddler playground and begin your walk along the half-mile, paved, accessible path. Every 30 feet, you will learn more about the smug slug’s slow sojourn up the mystery slope. Enjoy the literacy tips we offer in Spanish and English to help children engage with the book. The target audience for StoryWalk includes in-home childcare providers and families with small children. We hope to reach the youngest children of the youngest parents, offering another opportunity to be their children’s first and best teacher. Local schools, businesses, and other groups are encouraged to enjoy StoryWalk and share their experience with us. Your input is vital to the growth and continued success of this project. A dad and his two young children were enjoying StoryWalk last winter, and he said it was as if his kids were on a treasure hunt. “They can’t wait to find the next set of pages,” he explained. StoryWalk exhibits will be available soon for patrons to check out. You’ll can use them for birthday parties, picnics, or other fun events. Watch for details in the coming months. Please enjoy the summer and this new storybook. To learn more about all that we offer at Sedona Public Library, a non-profit, charitable, 501(c)(3) organization, or to make an online gift, please visit us at www.sedonalibrary.org. StoryWalk is a trademarked activity first developed by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont. Sedona Public Library Column for June 21, 2019 Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director  Summer is upon us, and it just seems to make us smile. The weather is perfect, kids are out of school, folks are checking out books for their vacations, patrons are signing up for our summer reading programs, and baby quail are following their mother around the Library, keeping us all entertained. It’s a time that feels good.
Also at the Library, it’s a new fiscal year. So in addition to thinking about what I’ll read this summer, where I’ll hike, and when I can get to my favorite swimming hole, I’m thinking about philanthropy. I’m particularly pleased to say that the Library had a successful FY ‘19, and we are grateful to all of our supporters. Thank you! In the bigger picture of philanthropy across the country, I’m proud to share that Americans are some of the most generous people in the world. The U.S. has been at the top of charitable countries for many years. As a nation we simply take care of each other, and that feels good. When you think of philanthropy, the names Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, or other headline-making philanthropists might come to mind. But did you know that, in large part, it is people like you who bolster our national reputation of generosity? It’s true, and according to the Philanthropy Roundtable, individual donations make up more than 73 percent of the nation’s charitable giving. It is even more compelling that the largest percentage of individual gifts is donated by those with the smallest incomes. More than seven percent of households making below $25,000 contribute to charitable organizations, and while their gifts may be smaller in size, they are not much smaller considering their income. Gifts from the lower incomes average over $1,000 annually compared to $4,000 annually from higher income households (over $100,000). Charitable Americans support five to ten nonprofits each year, and the median household gives, on average, $2,200 a year. Most noteworthy of all is that Americans are not simply altruistic. According to the New York Times, we give because it makes us feel better. So, not only are we kind to each other, but we are also kind to self. And as a citizen, a donor, and a fundraiser, this makes me feel hopeful and confident. Everything we do at Sedona Public Library—our services, programs, facilities, collection, etc.—is to make you feel good. Or perhaps better said, what we do is designed to help you know more, connect easily, care broadly, understand clearly, speak confidently, relate genuinely, laugh wholeheartedly, and think deeply. Or, like I said, to feel good. Thus, "what comes around goes around" seems pretty red rock solid. The Library works to engage and enrich the community, the community is grateful and supports us, which makes donors feel good, and makes us feel good, which makes us work harder to engage and enrich the community . . . you get the picture. That’s philanthropy. It just makes you feel good. Please visit sedonalibrary.org to learn about all that we do to make you feel good, and how you can give online, so you can feel even better. Thanks, and have a great summer! Sedona Public Library Column for June 14, 2019 Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director One afternoon when I was working at the Village library, a resident came in to sign up for a library card. Being new to the area, she inquired about the best place to meet people. Without hesitation, I recommended the Library.
In my opinion, the best way to meet new people at the Library is to get involved. Whether you are new to the community or have been a resident for some time, consider volunteering at the Library or at the Friends of the Sedona Library Used Book Store. The Library offers many volunteer opportunities: work at circulation, assist with computers, and shelve materials, to name a few. Training is provided. You may also volunteer to serve on the Library Board. During the last fiscal year, our amazing library volunteers contributed 16,992 volunteer hours. You always make a difference when you volunteer. Another great way to meet people is to attend library programs. The Library offers diverse programs for all ages. In fact, last year Sedona Public Library hosted 857 programs. Find library programs that appeal to your current interests, or explore new ideas. Here are a few program ideas. Attend an Arizona Humanities program, participate in a book discussion, learn more about finances with the Investment Club, star gaze with the Sirius Lookers, watch a film at the Monday night movie, or discuss a documentary at the monthly Reel Life Movie Night film series. Practice your language skills with the conversational Spanish or conversational French groups, or improve your computer skills by registering for an iPad/iPhone/Mac workshop. If you like to sew, you can join the Sit and Stitch group. Meet parents and caregivers when you take your children/grandchildren to one of the many outstanding children’s programs offered by Youth Services. Check out the library events calendar at www.sedonalibrary.org for more information about library programs and events. If you cannot find any programs that spark your interest, why not offer to share a new program? The Library is always looking for ideas to expand programs and extend community outreach. Contact Assistant Library Director Judy Poe at 928-282-7714, ext. 116, or jpoe@sedonalibrary.org to discuss new programs. Speaking from my personal experience of working at the Library, I have met many wonderful people and made new friends. As part of my community outreach efforts, I have had opportunities to work with speakers and authors and to partner with various community organizations. In addition, I have attended workshops and conferences and networked with librarians across the state. As a result, I have grown personally and professionally. Yes, I would definitely say the Library is a great place to meet people. With your generous contributions and support from our community, Sedona Public Library continues to fulfill its vision: to serve as the heart of the community; a special place where the past is honored and future dreams are nourished. Thank you for being the best part of Sedona Public Library! Sedona Public Library Column for June 7, 2019 Written by Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village |
