Perhaps you enjoyed a few of this summer’s bestselling titles such as The Girls,Barkskins, or The Gene. Other must-read books that were published recently include Belgravia by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes; The Underground Railroad, Oprah’s latest book club pick; and the memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

The fall publishing season is fast approaching, and some of the most highly anticipated titles are already available for you to put on hold. Log in to your library account, give us a call at 928-282-7714, or drop by the reference desk to reserve your copies.

Here is a small sampling of books you’re sure to hear about in the weeks ahead:

• Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett—The new novel by the author of Bel Canto and State of Wonder tells the story of how a chance romantic encounter forever changes two families’ lives. Critics are calling the book “funny, sad, and heart-wrenching,” and “a satisfying novel from one of our finest writers.”
• Trainwreck:  The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear, and Why, by Sady Doyle—This work examines the misogynistic underpinnings of our centuries-old fascination with successful women in the public eye who do not “behave.” The author discusses treatment of figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft , Sylvia Plath, and Britney Spears, and offers ways for modern women to cope with the scrutiny and judgment they encounter on social media.
• A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles—Written by the author of the well-received debut novel Rules of Civility, this historical saga portrays the life of a Russian Count who is sentenced by the Communists to permanent house arrest in Moscow’s most luxurious hotel. During the decades the elegant Count is confined, he befriends the guests and staff, leading to discoveries and transformations.
• Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly—This nonfiction book chronicles the careers of a group of black female mathematicians who worked in the aeronautics industry during the segregation era. Using slide rules and adding machines, they made calculations that assisted NASA in launching rockets and astronauts into space. The book is being made into a movie starring Octavia Spencer that will be released early next year.

This autumn, you’ll also see new books from Tana French, Zadie Smith, Jonathan Safran Foer, Ian McEwan, and T.C. Boyle. Happy reading!

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supported by donations and grants. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

Sedona Public Library
Column for August 26, 2016
Written by Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian

A few weeks ago, while working near the fireplace at Sedona Public Library, enjoying this quiet space and the views, both outside and inside the picture windows, I was delighted by two young patrons I saw. These boys, probably eight or nine years old, using their polite “inside” voices, seemed to be arguing about the location of something. I remembered that a treasure hunt was on the agenda for the afternoon, led by author and musician Matt Hall, and I realized these boys were on a quest.

One of them looked my way, whispered to the other, then cautiously approached:
“Do you work here?” the brown-haired boy whispered.
“I do,” I whispered back.
He quickly elbowed his friend and whispered, “Told ya!”
“Where is the archeological pillar?” his friend asked.

In an effort not to give away too much, but so happy to help these little guys, I simply said “that direction,” and I pointed across the way.  They scurried off, excited to find the pillar that is built with a distinct array of rock types making up the Sedona landscape.

It occurred to me that these boys defy the ongoing arguments and complaints about “kids these days” and how noisy they are, and “libraries these days” and how they have lost their quiet spaces. These boys appeared to be just a couple of nice kids who know how to use, enjoy, and whisper in a library without causing disruptions.

This got me to thinking: why do we believe we must be quiet in a library? Libraries, in fact, were not historically places of silence and solitude. According to The Christian Science Monitor, they were relatively rowdy places: “The great monastic libraries of medieval Europe, contrary to the popular stereotype, were not silent study halls for cloistered monks. They were noisy places . . . some visitors called them ‘houses of mumblers’ because the monks liked to recite their texts out loud . . . devoted not just to book preservation but to bringing scholars together to work with each other.”
 
While so much is written about how tradition has been forsaken by libraries taking on the role of community centers, offering entertainment, education, conversation, and other civic opportunities, maybe the world is actually just coming full circle. At Sedona Public Library, while there is a lineup of daily activities for children and adults alike, there are also beautiful nooks and niches where a quieter atmosphere is available. In fact, we have a room dedicated to just such solitude: the Quiet Study.

In the Library, you may very well hear background singing when you visit to read your favorite magazines, or you might overhear a conversation as you fax paperwork to your lawyer. Yes, moments of commotion are inevitable; it is the modern way. Or, better put, the historical way.

We are happy to receive feedback about your experience here, and happy to learn how we can better serve your needs, for quiet or for noise. This is your library, and as we consider a substantial renovation project, your input is vital to the planning stage.
 
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, foundations, and individuals like you. You can support your public library with a charitable tax-deductible donation. Visit us at 3250 White Bear Road, in Bell Rock Plaza, or online at www.sedonalibrary.org.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for August 19, 2016
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the Culture Pass Program, we invite you to stop by the Library and check out a pass to receive free admission to one of 19 museums or cultural attractions in Arizona.

When you check out a Culture Pass you’ll receive a slip admitting two people for one visit to that participating institution during the following seven days.  Here in Northern Arizona, library cardholders can choose from Arcosanti, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory, Pioneer Museum, Route 66 Museum, Mohave Museum, Bonelli House, or the Sedona Heritage Museum.
 
Want to learn more about the solar system, Pluto, and our night sky? Take a trip to the Lowell Observatory.   With regularly scheduled programs during the day, guests can take the Pluto Tour and the Deep Space Tour, or view the sun through a specially equipped solar telescope.

My favorite time at the Lowell Observatory is the evening, when you’ll have the opportunity to view the night sky through telescopes with the assistance of their educators.  A variety of evening multimedia shows also offer the chance to become better acquainted with outer space and with the season’s constellations, bright stars, visible planets, and neighboring stars.  For daily program and exhibit details, visit www.lowell.edu.

Take a ride along historic Route 66 in Kingman with the three-in-one Culture Pass.  You can visit the Route 66 Museum, the Mohave Museum, and the Bonelli House. These museums explore the diverse history of Northern Arizona, from the artwork and history of the Hopi, Hohokam, Hualapai, and Navajo tribes to the history of the early settlers and ranchers.  Whether you make it a day trip or a special stop on your way west, there is a lot in store for you in Kingman.

The Arboretum at Flagstaff is 7,150 feet in elevation and is a beautiful place to relax and escape the heat.  Pack your picnic and a blanket and learn about the native plants of this high-desert environment. Guests can enjoy wildflower walks, raptor shows, summer concerts, and guided tours.  The Arboretum is closed in the winters (beginning November 1), so be sure to put this on your summer to-do list.  Note that it’s closed on Tuesdays.

If you don’t have time for a trip north, stop into the Sedona Heritage Museum. This local gem of a museum provides a glimpse into the lives of the early settlers, including Sedona Schnebly, the town’s namesake. You’ll also learn about the former orchard industry and movies made in Sedona.
 
Here at Sedona Library, we want to give you tools and resources to help you take advantage of all that Northern Arizona has to offer.  Stop in the Library today and check out a Culture Pass or pick up some travel books and plan your next adventure. In addition to the Northern Arizona Culture Passes, Sedona Library offers Culture Passes to venues in the Phoenix area.

Please visit Sedona Library's website, www.sedonalibrary.org, for complete Culture Pass program details and restrictions, to see which passes are currently available, and for links to participating locations.

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Programs like the Culture Pass program are made possible thanks to the generous donations of individuals and foundations.  To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website at www.sedonalibrary.org.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for August 12, 2016
Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director

We’ve reached the finish line of the Library’s “On Your Mark.  Get Set… Read!” summer reading program.  With 298 participants enjoying well over 3,500 hours of reading and listening, and with 1,400 people attending a myriad of family events sponsored by Friends of the Library, I would say that we’ve had a busy and interesting summer!  And now it’s time for Mellow Monkeys and Library Lions story time programs!
​
Sedona Public Library’s children’s room is designed to be a place of learning—a place for families to visit on a regular basis—a place for story time!  Story time classes are back to being offered three times a week at the Library and twice a month at various learning centers in the community.  The in-house story time classes are for infants through preschoolers and the grownups who love them.
 
Every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the children’s room, we present a Library Lions story time class, best suited for ages 3 and up.  At least one of the stories or poems shared during this half-hour class will be a rowdy read, selected to encourage lively audience participation and repetition if a child feels so inclined.  A typical class could also include puppets, poetry, American Sign Language, or songs.  Attending story time, reading aloud, and playing at the Library are enjoyable ways to further develop vocabulary and language skills, which are both important to a child as a foundation for reading later on.

Thursdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m., we offer a class called Quiet Reads for Mellow Monkeys.  This class will suit infants, toddlers, and children who are happy to watch, or wander around the room, or just sit and wonder what may be on the next page, under the blanket, or behind the colorful hat.  The first Thursday of each month brings a musical treat for all ages and personalities.  Annette Foldes, with her guitar, shaky eggs, scarves, and rhythm sticks, shares traditional children’s songs and a few catchy original tunes.  Parents and children are welcome to simply sit back and listen or to hop up and get down.

Saturdays are extra special!  Family story time starts at 11 a.m., includes a craft activity, and ends by noon. Expect wonderful stories and don’t be surprised if you learn something very interesting about nature.  A craft activity rounds out the Saturday family story time each week.  Children are invited to sit at the table and create something to take home that will remind them of the stories they heard at the Library.  And not to be missed, on the first Saturday of every month, Meghan and Marisol will present story time in Spanish and English. An appreciation of language, learning, culture, and nature is at the heart of family story time.

For more information about youth programs, please call Sedona Public Library’s youth department at 928-282-7714, ext. 119.

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

Sedona Public Library
Column for August 5, 2016
Written by Karen Mack, Youth Services Librarian