C’mon Sedona, let’s help choose America’s best-loved novel! This election is guaranteed to be stress-free and fun! Join other book lovers from across the nation and vote for your most-loved book from the 100 chosen for The Great American Read. Sedona Public Library has organized a great line-up of programs to help celebrate this national literacy endeavor. Stop by the Library to review the 100 books and check one out (or the movie adaptation on DVD)—and don’t forget to vote!
 
First up, we will offer a sneak preview of the “Fall Kick-Off” episode of PBS’s “The Great American Read” series at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Thursday, September 6, at 6 p.m. This free screening will be hosted by Arizona’s own Alberto Ríos, who will lead a discussion after the show. Click here to reserve your ticket for this exciting free event.
 
Alberto Ríos is a poet, ASU professor, author, and host of Arizona PBS’s “Books & Co.” His latest collection of poems is “A Small Story About the Sky.” He is the winner of the PEN/Beyond Margins Award and recipient of the Western Literature Association Distinguished Achievement Award.
 
The series continues with nine additional events stemming from the Library’s partnership with Arizona PBS and the American Library Association. We will screen each subsequent “The Great American Read” episode at the Library with hosted and theme-based book discussions. The Library is excited to share our talented team of moderators representing voices from across Northern Arizona. All of our events are free and open to the public. Here are some exciting highlights!
 
Episode 3, “Who Am I?”, will be hosted by Sharon Madison, a retired high-school English teacher, avid reader,  book lover, and member of a book club in the Village. (Thursday, September 20, 6 p.m., Sedona Public Library)
 
Episode 4, “Heroes,” will be screened at our first-ever Verde Valley Book Club Mixer, hosted by Ingrid Broszeit-Rieger, a retired literature professor with book club experience. This event will give book clubs the opportunity to talk about what they read and why, and will give the public an opportunity to learn about the many book clubs actively reading across the Verde Valley. (Tuesday, October 2, 4 p.m., Sedona Public Library)
 
Episode 5, “Villains and Monsters,” will be hosted by Kara Thompson, an assistant professor of creative writing at Northern Arizona University. Her latest book, “Blanket,” will be published in September, and she is currently finishing a book about time and settler colonialism. She is new to Northern Arizona and looks forward to being in Sedona to lead a book discussion. (Thursday, October 4, 6 p.m., Sedona Public Library)
 
Episode 6, “What We Do for Love,” will be hosted by Lawrence Lenhart, an NAU assistant professor of fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, and climate science writing, and a published author who is excited to talk about the books. (Thursday, October 11, 6 p.m., Sedona Public Library)
 
And for the finale, it’s back to Mary D. Fisher auditorium for a live telecast, thanks to our partnership with Sedona International Film Festival, when we can all watch as PBS announces, once and for all, America’s best-loved novel, on Tuesday, October 23, at 7 p.m.
 
Don’t miss our free Monday Night Movies, when we’ll screen two films based on books from the list of 100: “Jane Eyre” and “The Color Purple.” For the full schedule, please visit sedonalibrary.org.
 
The Great American Read is designed to spark a national conversation about reading and the books that have inspired, moved, and shaped us. With a grant Sedona Public Library received from the American Library Association, we’re inviting you to engage in this conversation up close and personally.
 
A list of 100 diverse novels was selected through a demographically representative national survey of 7,200 people earlier this year. The project encourages audiences to read the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their personal connections to the titles.
 
While anyone can vote online for America’s favorite novel, Sedona Public Library will also determine Sedona’s most-loved novel. Please stop by the Library in West Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek and cast your vote.
 
For more information on The Great American Read, please visit sedonalibrary.org, pbs.org, or ala.org. And if you missed the launch special in May, you can still view it here: http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/.
 
Library programming for The Great American Read is offered as a part of a grant from the American Library Association and PBS. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please visit sedonalibrary.org to make a donation to your public library.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for August 31, 2018
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

The Library’s reference and IT staff will be offering an exciting new lineup of technology classes in the fall. Topics include basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, file management, library databases, and cyber security. Classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited, and registration is required for each class.
 
Classes will be taught on the Library’s Windows 10 computers, featuring Microsoft Office 2013. Some classes are designed for absolute beginners, while others are appropriate for computer users with intermediate skills.
 
September Classes:
Thursday, September 13, 9 a.m.--Basic Computer Skills (Keyboard and Mouse)
Are you a complete computer novice? Not to worry; the Library is here to help. In this class, the instructor will show you how to navigate a computer screen using a mouse and will discuss what the individual keys on a keyboard do.   
 
Tuesday, September 18, 9 a.m.--Basic Computer Skills (Desktop)
A computer desktop is similar to your desk at home—a place where you can store your most important files for easy access. In this class, you’ll discover how to make the Windows desktop work for you.
 
Tuesday, September 25, 9 a.m.--Microsoft Word (Basic)
In this entry-level course, you’ll learn how to compose, save, and print a document in Microsoft Word.
 
Cyber Security (dates and times to be announced)
This will be a multi-part course taught by the Library’s IT administrator. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the latest techniques for protecting your valuable data.
 
October Classes:
Thursday, October 18, 9 a.m.--Basic Computer Skills (Internet Searching)
Learn how to perform basic Internet searches using Google.
 
Tuesday, October 23, 9 a.m.--Microsoft Word (Basic)
Learn how to compose, save, and print a document in Microsoft Word.
 
Tuesday, October 30, 10 a.m.--Readers’ Advisory
Did you know the Library offers online resources that recommend books and authors according to your personal tastes? In our readers’ advisory class, you’ll discover how to use these convenient tools.
 
November Classes:
Thursday, November 8, 9 a.m.--File Management
In the Library’s file management class, you’ll learn how to organize your computer documents and other files so you can locate and retrieve them more quickly.
 
Tuesday, November 27, 9 a.m.--Microsoft Word (Basic)
Learn how to compose, save, and print a document in Microsoft Word.
 
Please contact the reference desk at 928-282-7714, ext. 114, for more information or to register for a class.
 
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 support your library at www.sedonalibrary.org.

 Sedona Public Library
Column for August 24, 2018
Written by Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian

As the Sedona Public Library continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary, we have had occasion to review our accomplishments over the years, the impact we have had in the community, and the many, many patrons and volunteers who have helped us along the way.
 
One voice that is particularly memorable is that of Paul Schwartz. Paul served on the Library’s board of trustees for three years, and he was very active in the community as a preservationist, publisher, musician, writer, and poet. He was, in no uncertain terms, passionate about literature and the written word.
 
We lost Paul this year in March, and we are offering a column that he wrote for us in 2015 as a way to honor his service and to celebrate the many voices that define Sedona Public Library. Paul’s words exemplify his passionate spirit and qualify the vital role that books, and libraries, play in our local communities and national story. Thanks, Paul.
 
Over 16 million Americans served in the Armed Forces in World War II. We tend to see that war through the eyes of the innumerable movies made about it—all combat and chaos. But for every hour of combat our soldiers and sailors endured, there were many more hours of sheer boredom spent in foxholes or at sea. Realizing this, the U.S. Armed Services decided to provide them with what was then state-of-the-art entertainment—books.
 
At first, citizens were asked to donate hardcover books to be sent overseas, and millions of books were collected. But it soon became apparent that a soldier with an 80-pound pack on his back, a heavy rifle over his shoulder, and many more pounds of ammo hanging from his person did not need an additional 10 pounds of books to carry around as he slogged through the mud. So, mobilizing the best minds in U.S. publishing, the Services embarked upon an amazing program: the mass publishing of lightweight, easily carried paperback books that were distributed free of charge to servicemen. They were published in two sizes, one to fit in the shirt pocket and one to fit in the back pocket, and they were set in four columns across the spread instead of the usual upright format. Over the course of the program, an amazing 1,322 titles were published.
 
While Hitler was busy burning books, we were busy publishing and distributing them. The slogan of the program was “Books Are Weapons in the War of Ideas.” There was something for every taste: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, sports, mysteries, Westerns, classics, and best-sellers. The very first book in the series was Ross’s “The Education of Hyman Kaplan.” Perhaps this was the Services’ way of acknowledging that those who served came from every walk of life and every ethnic background.
 
You can read about this amazing program, which ushered in the paperback revolution, in “When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II” by Molly Guptill Manning. It's available in the Sedona Public Library collection.
 
On a personal note, when I read this book I imagined my father reading these specially produced paperbacks. I never met him (he died in combat) but I know from the books he left behind that he was an avid, eclectic reader. I like to think that in his foxhole in the frozen Apennines he was deep into “Moby Dick,” “Candide,” or “The Grapes of Wrath.” But I would forgive him if, wanting to get away from the awful miseries of war, he chose “My World and Welcome to It,” “Hopalong Cassidy Serves a Writ,” or “The Big Sleep.”  There was truly something for everyone!
 
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 support your library at www.sedonalibrary.org. 

Sedona Public Library
Column for August 17, 2018
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

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 140 readers did when they participated in “Libraries Rock,” Sedona Public Library’s 2018 summer reading programs for adults and for children.
 
We are grateful to so many members of our community who helped make the program a success. We aim to keep adults and kids cool and engaged in literacy and to build a community of happy readers. So many of you helped us do just that. We received support from 20 local businesses, organizations, and individuals who provided fun and inspiring prizes, encouraging incentives for children, and interesting presentations for everyone.
 
In just two months, 37 adult participants reported that they had read 118,375 pages. In the children’s program, 103 children reported reading 114,570 minutes. That’s a whole lot of reading!
 
“I appreciated the ‘little nudge’ to keep reading over the hot summer months,” noted one adult participant. Parents loved seeing their children stay engaged in reading, and they agreed that the incentives help provide the children strong encouragement.
 
In addition to reading, participants joined a host of theme-based programming. With the reading program theme of Libraries Rock and 2018 being the Library’s 60th (diamond) anniversary, it was easy to find ways to celebrate rocks, rock & roll, gems, and the 60s!
 
We discussed books about rock & roll stars, held dance parties, offered gem and mineral presentations, and much more. We had an ongoing jigsaw puzzle in the adult area, and it was so popular, we’re going to keep the puzzle table up for a while. The kids loved discovering new books, and reaching inside Mr. Boulder to find their own collection of gems. The eight-week programs ended with an ice cream social and a puppet show.
 
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 did all of the above. This was the third adult program that the Library offered, and this year’s participants truly appreciated the opportunity to read in a community program.
 
Thanks to everyone—adults, children, and families—who participated in this year’s summer reading program. And thank you to all of our partners and sponsors; your generosity made this program a success: Sedona International Film Festival; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute; Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen; The Hike House; Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors; Famous Pizza; Layla’s Bakery; The Literate Lizard; Meghan McCarthy; Hummingbird House; Cold Stone Creamery; Out of Africa; Sedona Kids Company; Tlaquepaque Toy Town; Sedona Gem and Mineral Club; Chipotle Mexican Grill; Friends of the Sedona Library; Arizona State Parks; Natural Grocers; City of Sedona Parks and Recreation.
 
As you meet people, shop locally, help neighbors, and generally do your thing, please thank our supporters for helping the Library succeed in its mission to serve Sedona.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are grateful to all of the businesses and individuals that supported the 2018 summer reading program. Please visit www.sedonalibrary.org to learn how you can make a gift today.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for August 10, 2018
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

I was introduced to libraries around the age of three. Almost every Saturday, my dad would take me to the old Victorian house that served as our community library. We would browse the shelves in the children’s room. He would help me choose picture books; then, we would cuddle up in the bay window to share books. My dad would patiently turn pages as I stumbled over words and often made up my own stories to go with the pictures.
 
I am fortunate to have wonderful memories of father/daughter time spent at our public library, and to this day, I still love books and libraries. In fact, one of my favorite things to do when I travel is visit libraries. I appreciate browsing the shelves, looking at displays, learning about library programs, and networking with other librarians.
 
When I started to write this article, I thought about our residents who spend winters in Sedona and use library services offered by the Yavapai Library Network. Curious about these part-time residents and the other libraries they visit, I reached out to a few of these patrons. Here’s what they shared:
 
Paul and Mara Majane reside in the Village of Oak Creek and Edgartown, Massachusetts. When in Sedona, Paul uses Sedona Public Library in the Village. An avid reader, he probably reads a book a day. For many years Paul and Mara used the Carnegie library, a gift to the town from Andrew Carnegie. This building, constructed in 1904, served as the public library for the town until a new library was completed in 2016.  The Carnegie is now owned by the Vineyard Trust and serves as a maritime museum and visitor center. Paul uses and appreciates the new Edgartown Public Library, but he said he misses the atmosphere of the beloved Carnegie library.
 
Gillian and Philip Robson enjoy spending the winter in Sedona. Gill often rides her bike to the Village library.  Their other home is in Penticton, British Columbia, a town a little bigger than Sedona.  There, she visits the Penticton Library, one of 71 public libraries in B.C.
 
Stefka Regelous and Robert Patterson are international library users.  They are world travelers with homes in the UK, Italy, and Sedona. They support the Chichester Library located in Chichester, West Sussex in the UK. Stefka shared that this great library offers a variety of activities for children, meetings with authors, and information about local history. Stefka also uses the local library in Bulgaria when visiting her parents.
 
Do you enjoy visiting libraries when you travel? If so, I’d love to hear about your library adventures next time you visit Sedona Library in the Village.
 
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 businesses, foundations, and individuals like you. Please visit www.sedonalibrary.org to learn how you can make a gift today. Contact Cheryl Yeatts at 928-284-1603 or email voc@sedonalibrary.org for more information about library services in the Village of Oak Creek.

Sedona Public Library
Column for August 3, 2018
Written by:  Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village