October is a good time of the year to remind families that their local library has much to offer.  No tricks, just treats!  Sedona Library youth services staff strive to provide children, teens, and caregivers with books and experiences that encourage lifelong learning.  Every day, families read, talk to friends and peers, and learn while they play, inside the beautiful library building. Some families have also discovered that the Library is a valuable resource beyond its physical walls.
 
Youth services staff connect with kids at many different locations throughout the community. We promote the Library’s STEAM programs at Verde Valley SciTech events, provide parenting tips at community egg hunts, bring reading challenges to high school classrooms and Imagination Library to parent meetings, and much more. We make two visits a month to each of our local preschool centers and to Sedona HeadStart classrooms.  During every visit, we model our style of early literacy skill-building for teachers as we entertain the youngsters with a story time program. Teachers love it, and we appreciate them!
 
Outreach activity changes as our community needs change, but our goal remains to share the joy of reading.  A project that we hope to complete in November will bring a fun reading experience to an outdoor walking trail near Sunset Park. Check the Red Rock News for updates!
 
Providing library service beyond our walls, Sedona Library has again purchased a one-year subscription to the TumbleBooks Library. And we’re thrilled to announce that our local schools are included in the subscription! Students have free, complete, 24/7 access to e-books with a simple user name and password.  TumbleBooks are created by taking existing high-quality picture books and adding simple animation, sound, music, and narration to produce an electronic picture book that children can read, or have read to them. TumbleBooks Library also includes National Geographic videos and educational games.  There are over 250 animated, talking picture books in the collection!  The site also features Spanish and French books, read-along chapter books, nonfiction books, quizzes, and puzzles.  Bookmarks with TumbleBooks login information will be available at Sedona Library and local schools next week.
 
Back inside the walls of your beautiful Sedona Library, the seasonal and Halloween books are on display.  Our author of the month—who is also a Great American Read author—is Jason Reynolds.  His bio and books are on display.
 
Bilingual Spanish/English story and craft time has become a favorite event for families.  Join in on the first Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. in the children’s room.  Last but not least, on Tuesday, October 30, youngsters and caregivers are welcome to join our “Tiny Bit Spooky Story Time,” which will include stories and songs, games, a craft, and snacks.  Dress for fun and enjoy your library, inside and out.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Please support your library at www.sedonalibrary.org.

Sedona Public Library
Column for September 28, 2018
Written by Karen Mack, Youth Services Librarian

Are you in a book club, or do you want to start one? Are you just curious how they work? Then you’re invited to participate in the Library’s Verde Valley Book Club Mixer on Tuesday, October 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the community room at Sedona Public Library. This event, which is part of the Library’s Great American Read programs, is free and open to the public.  Programming for the Great American Read is made possible by a grant from the American Library Association and PBS.
 
The Great American Read is an eight-part television and online series on PBS that explores the power of books and the joy of reading. The series highlights 100 books that were chosen based on a public opinion poll of 7,200 people. The poll asked respondents to name their favorite novel, and an advisory panel of book industry professionals compiled the results. 
 
During the Book Club Mixer, we will preview episode 4 of the series, entitled “Heroes.”  This episode will bring us face-to-face with the heroes we celebrate in literature by exploring why we are drawn to books with heroic characters and how they bring us comfort, hope, and inspiration.
 
Dr. Ingrid Broszeit-Rieger, a retired literature professor with book club experience, will moderate the event. Members of book clubs and all other attendees will have opportunities to talk about what they read and why.
 
The Verde Valley Book Club Mixer promises to be a fun, engaging event, with ample time to share ideas and enjoy light refreshments. We’ll have giveaways for every participant, and there will be prizes, too!  Come by yourself or attend with your book club.  You don’t have to be a member of a book club to participate. If you’re interested in starting your own book club, the mixer will be a great place to meet people!
 
Registration for the book club mixer is requested.  Reserve your space today by contacting Cheryl Yeatts at 928-284-1603 or at voc@sedonalibrary.org no later than Tuesday, September 25.
 
Join us to explore America’s 100 most-loved novels, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite. You may vote online or stop by the Library in West Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek to cast your vote.  For information on the Library’s other Great American Read events, please visit sedonalibrary.org.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for September 21, 2018
Written by Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village

​Sedona Public Library is pleased to partner with the Sedona International City of Peace and Rotary Club of Sedona for the second Sedona Human Library™ event, on Sunday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  at the Library on White Bear Road.
 
The event is part of the Human Library project (www.humanlibrary.org), an international effort that is now local. This global movement for social change has the potential to alter our hearts and minds as to how we regard those in our community who struggle with all kinds of societal judgments and stigmas.
 
It’s easy to judge a book by its cover. But what if you could “borrow” it and sit down and talk with the subject? During the FREE Human Library event, you’ll have the opportunity to do that!  You can select human books, listen to their short presentations, and engage in dialogue with them to gain understanding. The live human books will courageously share their stories of being marginalized, categorized, or stigmatized for their differences.  
 
Expand your awareness of the limitations you may have set for yourself to connect with people in our community in a whole new and understanding way. There are so many ways that we connect with others, and sometimes the one thing holding the connection at bay is our lack of understanding.  
 
This year we have over 40 Human Books, with stigmas and labels that include:  Transgender, Lesbian, Addict, Burn Survivor, Talks with Dogs, Physically Disabled, UFO Abductee, Woman Priest, Privileged Class, Homeless, Pet Griever, Democrat Now a Trump Supporter, Crazy Cat Lover, and German/Nazi.
 
Human books that will be available include the following titles:
“Aging Means Declining” —Retired and getting older, this subject is expected to decline as he approaches death. Instead, he has found passion, purpose, life mission and legacy, and says, “I’m just warming up at 75.”
 
“Dancing with Death” —Two near-death experiences from medical experiences and one from a violent attack, had her discover who she really is. Dancing with death can bring a total rebirth.
 
“A Man and His Extraterrestrial Friends” —From a depressed teenage musician to “the guy who talks to aliens,” he now shares messages of spiritual evolution through close encounters with aliens. Often called weird, he is fully expressed at the core.
 
“Illegally Healed” — “Cannabis saved my life. When people know that I have used cannabis for healing they assume that I am lazy, immature, escaping, a pothead, a loser, and a drug addict. As a cannabis advocate, I want to be a model of the typical cannabis consumer.”
 
Space is limited. Please register at this link for the Sedona Human Library™ event.
 
Attendees may select from up to eight 30-minute sessions. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the sessions scheduled for 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 2:00, 2:45, 3:30, and 4:15, to select and locate your book.
 
The Sedona International City of Peace was recognized and established as the 35th city of now over 225 International Cities of Peace. Rotary International is an organization of community leaders who meet regularly to exchange ideas and take action to make their community and the world a better place. The Library’s partnership with these community organizations aligns us all in our commitment in expanding our reach and impact in creating a culture of peace in Sedona.

Sedona Public Library
Column for September 14, 2018
Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director

Sedona Public Library is pleased to announce the return of Arizona Humanities speaker programs. AZ Speaks is the longest-running and most popular program of Arizona Humanities. Speakers are selected based on their expertise and ability to offer content that inspires and entertains audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
 
Programs begin at 1:30 at the Church of the Nazarene, 55 Rojo Drive in VOC. Generously funded by Arizona Humanities and Friends of Sedona Public Library, programs are free and open to the public.
 
You don’t want to miss these engaging, educational presentations, so grab your calendar and make a note of these dates:
 
Wednesday, September 12:  “Life on the Lazy B as Lived by an American Cowboy and Rancher,” presented by Alan Day
In 1880, Alan Day’s grandfather homesteaded the Lazy B Ranch. This dusty, dry tract of land produced a U.S. Supreme Court justice, a lauded Arizona state senator, and a career rancher, cowboy, and land conservationist. In his presentation, Alan explores the ranching and cowboy life, from the simpler times of his youth through the myriad changes he has witnessed as an adult.
 
Monday, October 8:  “Arizona Goes to the Moon,” presented by Kevin Schindler
Arizona played a key role in preparing to send humans to the moon in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The Apollo astronauts themselves traveled to the Grand Canyon and volcanic fields around the state to learn geology and practice their lunar excursions. Meanwhile, U.S. Geological Survey engineers worked with NASA staff members to develop and test instruments while artists joined forces with scientists to create detailed maps of the moon that were critical to navigating around the lunar surface.
 
Wednesday, November 14:  “Protecting a Way of Life:  Kinship Responsibilities,” presented by Royce and Debbie Manuel
As an educator and member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community, Royce, along with his wife, Debbie, specializes in the revival, protection, and teaching of indigenous artistic traditions. Royce demonstrates the use of traditional tools and materials such as plant fibers, primitive bows and arrows, and knapping stones, while Debbie provides valuable insight into indigenous practices in both urban and tribal community settings.
 
Monday, December 10:  “In the Footsteps of Martha Summerhayes,” presented by Wayne Ranney
Martha Summerhayes was a refined New England woman who entered the Arizona Territory in 1874 as the young bride of an Army lieutenant. Traveling in horrific conditions and dreadful heat, she soon despised the wild and untamed land. She gave birth to the first Anglo child born at Fort Apache, where the native women took her under their care. Martha wrote about her experiences in the classic book Vanished Arizona, in print since 1908. Ranney has a personal connection to the Summerhayes family, which he shares in the lecture.
 
Please contact Cheryl Yeatts at 928-284-1603 or email voc@sedonalibrary.org for more information about these programs.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.

​Sedona Public Library
Column for September 7, 2018
Written by Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village