As published in the Red Rock News

​Sedona Public Library is thrilled to announce that we will soon open a branch library in the Village of Oak Creek. Thanks to a new collaboration with the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District, this fall our current service center at Bell Rock Plaza will move to the Big Park School.

On Tuesday, August 10, the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District Governing Board unanimously voted to lease the school library facility in Big Park Community School to Sedona Public Library to use as our satellite branch.

In the Governing Board’s discussion, it was noted by Barbara Trautwein that this was a “perfect use” for this space. Board President Randy Hawley said they he was “glad to work this out, it’s a great collaboration.” We couldn’t agree more.

In fact, Joanna Horton McPherson, Founder and Board Chair of the Sedona Village Foundation and the Sedona Village Learning Center, also located in the Big Park Community School, sees this move as an opportunity for early childhood literacy. “It is essential to have space for kids to have access to intergenerational learning. Our pre-K students will be able to participate in programs, meet authors, and work on their reading skills in new ways and in this open space that brings people together.”

Library services in the Village had a humble beginning nearly 20 years ago when residents placed a cardboard box to return library books in the lobby at Weber’s IGA (now Clark’s Market). From there, Sedona Public Library in the Village, originally called the Village Service Center, opened on West Cortez Drive in December 2005. Dotte Vande Linde was the first Village Library manager, and she is happy to hear this development.

“I never thought all those years ago when we were picking up the book returns at Weber’s that someday we could establish a branch in the Village of Oak Creek. What wonderful news,” Dotte said.

When Dotte retired in 2010, Cheryl Yeatts took over as manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village, currently at Bell Rock Plaza. “We look forward to moving this fall,” Cheryl said. “We’ve come a long way, and we are excited about moving to the school library and providing services in our new, larger location."

This is one of several new initiatives at Sedona Public Library according to Judy Poe, Library Director, and she is excited for this important expansion. "We talked to the community about their needs, and we know this move is very important for community building in the Village of Oak Creek. One of the most important jobs for a library is to connect community, and this new branch will do exactly that."

School Board member Barbara Trautwein also mentioned at the August 10 meeting that very recently five different families had mentioned the need for a full library in the Village of Oak Creek. Thanks to Sedona Public Library, that need will be met this fall.

The current lease allows for the Library to expand to a 28-hour a week schedule. The Library will open with a small popular collection and ambitious plans to increase services and programs as quickly as possible.

According to Peter Wolf, a trustee on the Library’s Board and a Village resident, “This is win-win for the larger Sedona area.” Peter is a member of the Village Library Committee, and notes that they have worked hard toward this goal for several months. He continued, “This will mean an addition to our current Village Library budget, but we know the community will come through with support as they have always done.”
​
In fact, one Village resident has already made her first annual gift of two thousand dollars and promises the same for two more years in support of this project.

Judy Poe is grateful for the show of support. “This has been a vision for many Big Park residents for more than twenty years, and we're proud to deliver. A library is only as great as its community, so we know we'll be able to create a thriving library for all to enjoy!”

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designated in 1964 to operate a public library in Sedona. We are supported by the City of Sedona, both Yavapai and Coconino Counties, the Friends of the Sedona Library, and hundreds of individuals throughout the region. We are excited to launch this expansion, and we look forward to working with the Big Park community to support this important library initiative.

Sedona Public Library
Column for August 20, 2021
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director

As published in the Red Rock News

​I have been told to never lead with a negative, however I don’t think anyone would argue that the past year and a half has been difficult. So much has been politicized, and so many opinions seem to be black or white. I believe we have lost sight of the gray—the “in-between”—regarding important issues and our fellow humans. It seems we have forgotten the adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” It’s no wonder that I have recently heard more pleas for and seen more memes about kindness than ever before. Well, here is the positive! This September, Sedona International City of Peace, Rotary Club of Sedona, City of Sedona, and Sedona Public Library are working together to offer you a chance turn those negative attitudes around and explore the in-between when you read a Human Book and “Unjudge Someone” during the fifth annual Sedona Human Library.
 
Not familiar with the Sedona Human Library? Margaret Joy Weaver, Board Chair of Sedona International City of Peace says, “The Human Library Project is a global movement for social change. Reading a Human Book has the potential to alter one’s heart and mind regarding those in our community who struggle with all kinds of societal judgements and stigmas.  We are thrilled that Sedona has longest the running Human Library event in America!”
 
The Sedona Human Library takes place on Sunday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free community event promotes connection and understanding and will feature sixteen live Human Books, including Gun Owner/2nd Amendment Advocate, Conservative Christian Mystic, Transgender Mother/CEO Carpenter, Wrongfully Accused White Male, Married Lesbian, Suicide to Healer, and more.
 
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines stereotype as “a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong.” Here are descriptions of several of the Human Book stereotypes who will be available:
 
Body Modified Addict—He was considered dumb and lived as a dropout, liar, thief, drug addict, and alcoholic. At 18, he thought his life was over when his house was raided. With a mohawk and tattoos, he receives stare-downs even though at 32 he is a loving father, fulfilled husband, and leader of both a company and a non-profit organization serving our community.
 
Brown Skinned Muslim—After a few months in America at 15, she removed her hijab when fellow high school students got up and moved from the table where she sat down. She was bullied and mocked with Muslim prayer calls by other students. While in Greece, she was called a terrorist by an agitated Muslim refugee. As a film major in a male dominated industry, she is often challenged when expressing her ideas.
 
Conservative Christian Mystic—He has experienced rejections from conservative Christians for his Mystic beliefs, and from New Thought religious communities for his conservative thinking.  In speaking his truth, he has experienced isolation from friends and colleagues. He has even been called a "fascist right-winger.”
 
Gun Owner/2nd Amendment Advocate—A white male, he is often seen as paranoid, a red neck, a racist, white-privileged, and uneducated.  As a gunowner and conservative Libertarian there are assumptions about his lifestyle that are far different from his experience.
 
At this year’s event, participants will attend three 45-minute sessions to “read” and talk with a live Human Book. The Book will share his/her/their story of being marginalized, stereotyped, or stigmatized. Readers will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue. This is your chance to choose “Books” who represent a negative opinion or prejudice you may hold. I encourage you to attend the Human Library event and see if your understanding and compassion increase. Maybe your opinions may shift. Let’s focus on kindness and understanding, shall we? I look forward to seeing you there!
 
The Sedona Human Library is free and Covid-conscious, so space is limited. Please sign-up early. Visit sedonahumanlibrary.org to register. Early registrants will be the first to select their three Books and will have the opportunity to deepen their experience with a curated list of books and movies relevant to their chosen stereotypes. You can also stop by the library to pick-up copies of the curated lists, and check-out one of the recommendations while you are there.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, supported by the Friends Of The Sedona Library, the City of Sedona, Yavapai and Coconino Counties, grants, donations, and gifts from people like you. Your tax-deductible donation can be sent to 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336, or better yet, come in and talk to us about opportunities to support the library, including making a planned gift.
 
Sedona Public Library
Column for August 13, 2021
Written by Judy Poe, Library Director

As published in the Red Rock News

​My name is Cheryl Yeatts, and I am the manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village. As part of the Library’s efforts to acquaint you with staff, I am going to share some information about myself.

I grew up and lived most of my life in the Cincinnati area. After enduring many miserable winters, I finally convinced my husband that it was time to move. We relocated to Sedona in 1995 and never looked back.

Sedona Public Library in the Village, originally called the Village Service Center, opened on West Cortez Drive in December 2005 under Library Director David Keeber. Dotte Vande Linde was the new manager and ran the Service Center until her retirement in 2010. (Dotte still participates in our book clubs at Sedona Winds!)

That is when I was hired to oversee Sedona Public Library in the Village. My job entails managing the daily operations of the Village: circulating library materials, placing holds for library patrons, answering all kinds of reference questions, making book recommendations, and assisting people with basic computer needs.

I also write columns for the local newspapers and the library newsletter. I value professional development and am a member of the American Library Association, the Public Library Association, and the Arizona Library Association. I hope to again schedule the popular Arizona Humanities programs and continue community book discussions at Sedona Winds Retirement Community when we resume in-person programming.

Sedona Public Library in the Village is a busy place offering many services to the community, and that’s why I’m so happy to work here. People stop by to pick up items that they ordered through the Yavapai Library Network or to return items from a library in the Network.

Patrons and visitors also come by to use our computers, or they may visit with their own laptops and use our Free WiFi, available during open hours. We also have a charging station so patrons can power devices including phones, tables, laptops, and more. The Village location also offers printing, scanning, and faxing.

For the first time ever, we are in the early stages of developing a collection for Sedona Public in the Village. We are excited about this new development, and we know you will be, too! Watch for items designated with bright green stickers marked “VOC.”

We truly are a “service center”, open 20 hours a week, and always free.

Now that you know something about me and Sedona Public Library in the Village, I will answer the interview questions posed by Teri Ruiz, programs and marketing coordinator at SPL.

What was your first job?  Instead of telling you about my first job, I will share the horrors of my worst job. To help pay for my college tuition, I worked one summer at a local paper company. My job was hand-sorting deluxe paper to look for defects. This job did not have ideal working conditions. I worked third shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. I had to wear steel-toed work boots and stand on a platform the entire shift. The factory had no air conditioning; it was hot and humid. All summer I had a multitude of paper cuts that never seemed to heal. Needless to say, I was very happy to return to college in the fall.  

Have you ever seen a ghost or UFO? I have not, but I always had fun playing with the Quija Board when I was in junior high.

Do I prefer dogs or cats?  I am definitely a cat person. My three rescue cats rule the house.  I have to admit that I enjoy seeing Rainier, a service dog who visits the library with his owner Charlotte Selenski.

What book influenced your early life? That’s a difficult question, as I have always been an avid reader. A book that has left a lasting impression is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I have always admired Scout’s spunky attitude, respected the wisdom of Atticus Finch, and appreciated the kindness of Boo Radley.

It took me several years, but I finally landed my dream job at Sedona Public Library. I will be celebrating my 11-year anniversary working for the Library on August 30. The next time you are in the Village, please stop by SPLV and say hello. I look forward to your visit and will be happy to assist you with your library needs.

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  To make a tax-deductible donation to the Sedona Public Library in the Village please visit our website or send to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336. Be sure to designate your donation to SPLV!

Sedona Public Library
Column for August 6, 2021
Written by Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village