Each fall publishing season brings a large selection of new releases in every genre, from biography and history to mystery, science fiction, and literary fiction. Although you’ll have to wait a few months to read them all, you can still place a hold on many forthcoming books now so that your fall reading list is in order. As the seasons change, you’ll enjoy stories about spies, friendship, music, food, politics, and much more. This fall, there are books for every taste, and here’s a small sampling of some of the most anticipated titles:
September
Have questions about placing a hold on these or other books? Stop by or call the reference desk at 928-282-7714, ext. 114. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. We are grateful for the support of the City of Sedona, Yavapai and Coconino Counties, businesses and foundations, and individuals like you. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336 or can be made online at www.sedonalibrary.org. Sedona Public Library Column for August 25, 2017 Written by Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian Will you be among the millions of Americans and international visitors watching the solar eclipse that is happening on Monday, August 21? While Sedona is not in the eclipse’s “path of totality,” the uncommon occurrence will still be a spectacular sight.
Sedona Public Library is one of thousands of libraries across the country that are holding solar eclipse viewing events on August 21. Along with nearly half of the libraries in the U.S., we’ll also be distributing free eclipse glasses. The importance of wearing certified solar glasses to watch the eclipse cannot be overstated. Here are some words of warning from a Wikipedia article on solar eclipses: “Looking directly at the sun, even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye, up to and including blindness. Viewing the sun through any kind of [unfiltered] optical aid (binoculars, a telescope, or even an optical camera viewfinder) is extremely hazardous and can cause irreversible eye damage within a fraction of a second.” The Library will be giving out dozens of pairs of free solar glasses to watch this event safely. Additionally, the Sirius Lookers astronomy club will have binoculars with solar filters on hand for a closer look. Since the supply of solar glasses is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, viewers are advised to be at the Library in advance of the eclipse. The eclipse viewing event starts on Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the Library’s parking lot. The full duration of the eclipse is nearly three hours long, from around 9:15 to noon, with peak coverage occurring at 10:34 a.m. Courtesy of NASA, we’ll also be live-streaming the eclipse throughout the day in the Quiet Study Room. Drop in to view the event from the unique perspective of NASA’s spacecraft and personnel—including the astronauts on the International Space Station. To tide you over until the next total eclipse, taking place in 2024, explore the Library’s astronomy resources, like “Astronomy” magazine or a book such as the recently published “American Eclipse,” by David Baron, an account of the 1878 total eclipse and the scientists who made the arduous journey west to observe it. Check out a Culture Pass for the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, or attend a meeting of the Sirius Lookers astronomy club, which convenes monthly at the Library. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. We are grateful for the support of the City of Sedona, Yavapai and Coconino Counties, businesses and foundations, and individuals like you. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336 or can be made online at www.sedonalibrary.org. Sedona Public Library Column for August 18, 2017 Written by Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian What better way to spend your hot summer days than finding a cool place to read a great book, or two, or three! That’s exactly what 103 patrons did when they participated in Build a Better World, Sedona Public Library’s adult summer reading program.
In just two months, participants read more than 140,000 pages from a wide variety of genres. They reported that they read books outside their typical choices, and that they read with the same excitement as they did when children. Participants were even invited to channel their inner child as they colored the theme-based coloring page at the reference desk! The theme this year, Build a Better World, encouraged the notion that reading and community participation can certainly improve the world. Donating food to the Sedona Food Bank's "Weekend Emergency Packs for Hungry Kids" was one small way we could use this program to build a better world. This initiative provides supplemental food for 115 children who, during the school year, receive nutritional support at school. As part of the program, the library held weekly drawings, and readers won an array of fabulous prizes from local merchants including Builders FirstSource; Hummingbird House; Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen; 89Agave; Ramsey's Rocks and Minerals; and many more. The more you read, the better your chances at winning fabulous prizes. The grand finale of this year’s program was a lively ice cream social where Victoria Norton won the grand prize of lunch for two donated by L'Auberge's Etch Kitchen and Bar. Victoria was one of 14 “super-readers” who completed various library-related activities which included reading from our Arizona Collection to donating food to the emergency pack program. Jenny, another super-reader, said, “Completing the game card led me to explore areas of the library about which I was unaware.” The goals of summer reading programs across the nation are to encourage literacy, introduce (or re-introduce) adults to their community library, and to have fun! Our participants definitely agreed. Last year was the first adult program that the library offered, and this year the participation almost doubled in number. Ashely Bowen, of Bookriot.com, who is an outspoken fan of summer reading programs expressed her enthusiasm, “Now in my 30s, I just assumed that signing up for a summer reading program was one of those joys of childhood I’d never recapture. I’m still motivated by stickers, free fast food, and tote bags, but didn’t think anybody would give those to me for reading all summer. Plus, they are just a lot of fun for everyone involved.” Thanks to everyone for supporting and participating in this year’s Summer Reading Program. Other generous sponsors to this year’s program include Arizona State Parks, Baskin-Robbins, Cleaner Quicker Car Wash, ColdStone Creamery, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Sedona International Film Festival, Safeway, and Starbucks. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. We are grateful for the support of the City of Sedona, Yavapai and Coconino Counties, businesses, foundations, and individuals like you. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336, or can be made online at www.sedonalibrary.org. Sedona Public Library Column for August 11, 2017 Written by Kay Bork, Reference Assistant At Sedona Public Library, a walk down the aisles and along the stacks may take you into the heart of all the Library offers, but it also provides a glimpse at the generous heart of this community.
You see, the Library was built, in its entirety, by you, the public. It was thousands of people, and millions of dollars, that made possible this monumental gift at the end of White Bear Road, and many are named throughout the building. Let’s go on a giving tour and see what we find. Upon arriving you can’t help but see the bronze sculpture of Sedona Schnebly. She stands as a figurehead proudly leading this ship of free information, entertainment, and service. She is here as part of the Art in Public Places program, and we couldn’t think of a better home for her. Before you enter the building, look at the view. This 4.3 acre plot, replete with views and vegetation, was purchased in 1986 with a $326,400 donation, explained on a plaque at the entryway. It’s just the beginning of an exciting philanthropic journey. Let’s keep walking. Take a quick look to the left of the front doors. Nearly 250 gold, silver, and bronze plaques don the names of supporters who believed so strongly in this Library that they paid up to $5,000 to have their names at the entrance. We think of them as the welcoming committee. When you enter the building, look up, look out, and be dazzled by 36 solid rock pillars (two that reach the ceiling three stories above). These towers bear the names of their donors who, literally, supported the building with gifts of $10,000 to $30,000. Next, let’s meander through the stacks and notice the shiny plates on the end caps of shelving units. These signify dozens of supporters who invested in more than a half mile of book shelves, one foot at a time! We can’t list all of the named areas and rooms, but let’s consider a few places that were so important to supporters that they invested $7,500 to $30,000 for each – the children’s room, the fireplace, the atrium, the Arizona room, the computer area, the business office, and more. No matter where you sit, read, study, work or research, when you’re here at Sedona Public Library, you see the investments of thousands of people. One of the largest individual gifts, $100,000, named the community room. Chances are, there isn’t a reader among you who has not sat in this large space to enjoy a movie, listen to an author read, or participate in some other community event or program. Outside the quiet study room you’ll find the Grandchildren’s Tree, a wonderful exhibit of support. Almost 350 gold, silver and bronze leaves hang from the tree indicating donors who invested from $200 to $1000 to honor or remember their grandkids. Next you’ll find a large colorful plaque listing 324 names representing over $20,000 combined contributions to the tile project, originally located in the courtyard in the northeast corner of the building where you can appreciate the outdoors while you study or talk on the phone. Finally, let’s go to the Silent Waterfall, a delightful stained glass wall that creates prisms and rainbows in every direction. Each pane denotes donors and patrons who honored or remembered their families and friends with a gift of $2,500. Their light shines out all day long. Who are the artists behind all this artwork? The donors who gave so generously? You may very well know some of them. Maybe it is your neighbor, friend, uncle or great grandma who can tell you about contributing to the Library. Ask around, and if you meet someone who has given to the Library, recently or years ago, say ‘thanks’ for making Sedona Public Library a landmark of the region. Better yet, come by, walk around on your own, or let us know if you’d like a personal tour. We’d love to walk with you, and see who you know, tell you a story or listen to a story you’d like to share. Thanks, Sedona, for giving this town a Library. It’s a gem! Sedona Public Library Column for August 4, 2017 Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director |
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