Visitors and new residents often comment that Sedona is such a friendly place, and they admire the fact that so many people are active in the community. At Sedona Public Library, we can proudly account for at least 140 residents who generously contribute their time and dedication to our mission and services. In fact, our volunteers gave nearly 17,000 hours of service last year, saving the Library $410,000.
 
In today’s column, and as part of commemorating our 60th anniversary, we want to share two volunteer stories: Gerri Perrin who is celebrating 30 years of volunteer service this year, and Andrew Tate, one of our newest and youngest volunteers.
 
Gerri Perrin began volunteering in 1988 and has been a part of the Library for half of its life. She has served on the Board of Trustees, helped raise funds for the construction of the White Bear Road facility, put plastic covers on books, and done just about every other volunteer task we have. She currently works two mornings a week to locate items to fill patrons’ requests. Gerri says it feels good to volunteer: “I just love it here. It helps me stay healthy.”
 
Andrew, a home-schooled 15-year-old, began volunteering for Sedona Public Library late last year. He thought it would be fun and look good on his college applications. Now, 10 months later, he knows he will definitely be a volunteer in his future. “It feels good,” Andrew says of his weekly hours shelving books. “It can be so therapeutic and relaxing here.”
 
In my conversations with these two, I enjoyed learning how much they have in common beyond their appreciation for all things library and volunteering.
 
Gerri’s 27-year-long career was in data management with TRW Space and Technology Group and General Dynamics Electronics Division in California. She was working on computers and data long before these were household terms.
 
When she began volunteering, the Library was still on Jordan Road and still using a card catalog! It’s no surprise that Gerri was part of the team that entered every single book into the new electronic catalog.
 
“We worked on the project for months,” Gerri explained, “and we were fast!”
 
Interestingly enough, Andrew is currently in computer work, too. He teaches JavaScript at our Summer Code Club on Wednesday mornings. He taught himself how to code watching YouTube videos and attending coding sessions with other teen volunteers at the Library. He is excited to share his knowledge and hopes to help the Code Club create its own video game.
 
When Andrew learned of the data entry work that Gerri had completed years ago, his jaw dropped: “I’ve got a long way to go to compare to that type of service.”
 
In addition to what these two volunteers do for Sedona Public Library, they do even more in the community. Gerri also volunteers at the Sedona Medical Center, where she was recognized for 3,000 hours of service. She has also volunteered for the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, Humane Society of Sedona, and the Sedona Historical Society.
 
Andrew works as a life guard at Sedona Community Pool from early spring into late fall, and he has been swimming competitively for eight years.
 
These two volunteers accurately represent the tremendous group of active library volunteers: They are caring individuals dedicated to our mission.
 
Happy 30th anniversary, Gerri! You are truly a role model for Andrew, and all of our volunteers, young and old alike. Thanks to Andrew and Gerri, and all of our volunteers, for their service.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are grateful for all of our volunteers, and for the support we receive from the City of Sedona, the property tax dollars we receive from Yavapai and Coconino Counties, and the gifts we receive from businesses, foundations, and individuals like you. Please visit www.sedonalibrary.org to learn how you can make a gift today. 

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

At the June 17, 2018, Sedona Public Library (SPL) Board of Trustees annual meeting, the 2018-2019 Board was formally seated.  As a private, non-profit corporation that provides public library services through contracts with local government, the volunteer Board of Trustees is responsible for administering the affairs of the Library.
 
Four current members of the Board are retiring, and we sincerely thank those individuals who have contributed so much time and energy to the Library. Pat Jansen (outgoing Past President), Roger Shlonsky (outgoing Treasurer), Wendy Edwards (outgoing Secretary), and Charles (Chuck) Curtis (Building & Grounds Committee Chair) are departing this year. Their contributions will be missed.
 
The following members are continuing their service on the Board this year: President Joel DeTar, Past President Sheila Hoffmeyer, Treasurer Patrick McGee, Secretary Gwen Ortmeyer, and Trustee Mary Kay De Poe.
 
Three individuals joined the Board during the last fiscal year: Patrick McGee, Avrum Cohen and Anthony Caetano.  
 
Patrick McGee, a CPA at Sterling Financial Services with expertise in tax accounting, joined the Board in October 2017.  He moved to Sedona from Florida where he specialized in small business and individual tax return preparation. Patrick has also worked at publicly held companies and closely held companies as a private accountant.  
 
In December 2017 Avrum Cohen was elected to the Board. With 40 years’ experience as a CEO of non-profit organizations, Avrum brings to the Board extensive expertise in fundraising for annual and capital campaigns and managing endowment campaigns.  Avrum served as an officer of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley from 2014-1016 and a commissioner on the planning and zoning commission from 2014-2017.
 
Anthony Caetano is a retired director of special education and certified grant trainer and writer with over 40 years of experience in education administration. Joining the Board in May, he is President/CFO of Five Star Consulting and has secured millions of foundation, corporate, federal and state grants for school districts, public and non-profit agencies and municipalities. He is also involved with the Sedona Historical Society, Yavapai College, OLLI, and the Sedona Arts Center.
 
For the fiscal year 2018-2019, the Board is pleased to welcome three new members:  Joe Lee Frank, Dan Gallagher, and Peter Wolf.
 
Captain Joe Lee Frank (USN-Retired) is CEO of Frontier Markets Partners, LLC with previous positions as VP of International Compliance Battlespace Inc., and President of CAE USA, Marine Systems. His Naval service was distinguished by command of the AEGIS cruiser Antietam and Executive Officer of the Battleship Missouri.  Joe Lee is an international executive with post-graduate studies in physics and international finance; and proven skills in strategic planning, operations, sales and marketing, and fiscal management.
 
Dan Gallagher is a retired Federal Senior Executive with 30 years of service within the Department of Defense (DOD)and 10 years of experience as a consultant/contractor at the Scitor Corporation and Camber Corporation.  While at DOD, Dan received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Director’s Distinguished Service Medal. He brings strong strategic, analytic, managerial and communications skills to the board.  Since moving to Sedona in 2015, he has volunteered at the Friends of the Library Bookstore and for the Festival of the Wreaths.
 
Peter Wolf is a retired information technology manager who moved to Sedona 2+ years ago.  Most of his IT career was in consulting management where he focused on building high performance teams tasked with working collaboratively with sales, marketing and outside partners.  Their primary charter was to retain existing customers through superior service and  to generate new business from new customers. 

The Board thanks our past and current Board members and welcomes our new Trustees. We look forward to an exciting and productive year at the Sedona Public Library.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for July 20, 2018
Written by Sheila Hoffmeyer, Past President, Sedona Public Library Board of Trustees

What better way for Sedona Public Library to celebrate its 60th anniversary than to host a 60-themed writing contest for all ages! Get your creative spirit revved up, hone your literary skills, sharpen your pencil, and enter our contest to win great prizes!
 
What does the theme of “60” look like? Maybe it’s a story you’ve wanted to tell for years about the crazy cat lady named Lily who kept 60 cats in the basement. Perhaps you’d like to write an ode or sonnet for your recently deceased grandfather who has always lived at 60 N. Elm St. Or maybe you need to finally write that essay investigating the house fire that started with 60 candles burning in the dumpster. Who knows? Let your imagination be your guide!
 
Really, the only criteria is that your poem, story, or creative nonfiction include the number 60; that you’re a resident of Coconino or Yavapai County; and that you submit your entry by 5pm on Monday, September 10.
 
The first prize in each of three age categories is, of course, $60.00! Second prize is $40, and third prize is $20. Additional prizes include gift certificates to the Friends of Sedona Library used book store; we will publish first-place winning submissions on our website, sedonalibrary.org; and, finally, we will put a copy of the first-place winning entries into our 60th anniversary time capsule. The time capsule will be buried this fall and be opened in 2058 when the Library celebrates 100 years of service!
 
For further details and our entry form, please visit sedonalibrary.org, our Facebook page, or stop by either one of our convenient locations: 3250 White Bear Rd. in West Sedona, or Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek. This contest is free and open to the public.
 
The 60th Anniversary Writing Contest begins Friday, July 13, the deadline is September 10. The Library will announce winners on September 25, 2018. Think 60 and get writing!
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are grateful for the support of the City of Sedona, Yavapai and Coconino Counties, businesses and foundations, and individuals like you. Please visit www.sedonalibrary.org to learn how you can support your public library.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for July 13, 2018
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

Last week, as youth services staff gathered books for a 4th of July display in the children’s room, I reread a favorite. “Her Right Foot,” by Dave Eggers, is a timely nonfiction picture book about the Statue of Liberty. I highly recommend this book for its fabulous and fun presentation of facts and for its delivery of a poignant, thought-provoking message.
 
Shawn Harris, the illustrator of “Her Right Foot,” says in a Children’s Book Review interview, “I start every project at the library. I have a 25 book limit and am constantly having to weed out a selection or two at the checkout desk, with an impatient line forming behind me.”  Harris, an amazing artist and musician, has a Sedona connection.  With a little luck, I may get a reply to the fan mail I sent him!
 
In our town of Sedona, there are many opportunities for youth to learn from hardworking, talented community members. Every Thursday afternoon for over a year, a local chess player has taken time from his busy work schedule to run the Library’s youth chess club. Dr. B, as he is known to the regular Thursday players, instructs at all levels and often sets up challenge boards that can be won in two or three moves. The youth chess club welcomes new members at any time. Thank you, Dr. B!
 
And a thank you goes to a teen volunteer who is spending Wednesday mornings at the Library, teaching JavaScript to an enthusiastic group of beginner coders. Youth from ages 8 to 14 are welcome to drop in and give it a try.
 
On Tuesday, July 10, the ninth annual Sedona Youth Theatre workshop for ages 10 through 17 begins. The workshop is the creation of Dev Ross and Shondra Jepperson. Their professional careers, as screenwriters, actors, authors, musicians, entertainers, and more, have earned them numerous awards and fans. Sedona Public Library is honored to have Dev and Shondra present this annual library program.
 
The 15-hour workshop, over the course of nine afternoons, includes theatre games, learning and honing improvisational skills, practicing correct vocal and breathing techniques, understanding disciplines of stage performance, and building team skills and confidence. Thanks to support from Friends of the Sedona Library, the $85 workshop fee can be offset if workshop participants volunteer at the Library. For every three hours worked, the cost of the workshop is reduced by $25—volunteer nine hours, and the cost of the 15-hour workshop is down to $10!  It’s a win-win!  Thank you, Friends of the Library!
 
The public is invited to attend a youth theatre performance showcase on Saturday, July 21, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Si Birch Community Room. Call 928-282-7714, ext. 119, or visit the Library today with questions or to register for Sedona Youth Theatre.
 
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 July 6, 2018
Written by Karen Mack, Youth Services Librarian