 As published in the Red Rock News
What’s your Arizona story? Or for that matter, what brought you to Sedona? And when you arrived in Sedona, what eventually brought you to Sedona Public Library? Anne Marie Mackler, the Development Director for Sedona Public Library, says that her Arizona story started in the Midwest, and like the adventurous spirit that she is, her journey led her to the Library. “It is my writing life that brought me to work for non-profits, that and my love of libraries brought me to Sedona Public Library. I have worked or volunteered for more than 30 non-profits over my career and many of them had a literary mission including the Flagstaff Public Library, the Northern Arizona Book Festival, the Border Book Festival, and Mountain School. I have taught writing in several universities, colleges, high schools, grade schools, and community centers. I’ve taught grant writing all over the state.” Like a well-oiled machine, there are many moving parts at the Library that happen beyond the holds shelf or the reference desk. While I spend my library day managing the event calendar, meeting with potential instructors for future library programs, or giving an impromptu tour of our new courtyard, Anne Marie is making sure our Library can be the best library that it can be for our community. “The biggest challenge of fundraising for Sedona Public library is that too often folks don’t realize we’re a non-profit organization. Few libraries are. Most are academic, or they belong to a city or a county. But we are an independent, private, organization that serves the public. Our mission, vision, and purpose are so important that we receive regular support from the City of Sedona and both counties we serve, Coconino and Yavapai, as well as from the 55-year-old Friends of the Library group. But for us to provide the level or programs and events that we do, at two libraries, for free, we still need the community to pitch in, and that’s my job, to convince the community to pitch in, and they do, quite often.” The library is the heart of any community. I’ve said this time and time again and Anne Marie shares my sentiment. “What amazes me most about the Library is that the people who come and go regularly, or even those who stop by only to pick up a book, check out a magazine, or use our computers, really, really love us. I mean really. We might see them for an hour occasionally, or daily for a few days in a row, but they truly love us and believe strongly in the great work that libraries like ours do in the community. They appreciate the meaning we give to the community. Libraries are the glue of the community, and I am glad to be part of supporting and honoring this library with the work that I do. Give me a call, I can tell you more about all the reasons to make a gift.” Though I first met Anne Marie long before we worked together as a fellow Zumba class attendee, I have come to appreciate her dedication and love for the Library. Let’s get to know Anne Marie Mackler, your Sedona Public Library Development Director. Team dog or cat? Both, and I just lost my dog, Romeo, of 14 years, and while I miss him dearly and daily, my cat of 14 years, Chantilly (or Fred), who also misses Romeo, hangs in there, kidney disease be damned, as a great friend and companion. Will I get another dog? Maybe. We’ll see. Have I ever seen a UFO? Yes, and a ghost, a meteor shower, a comet, and 43 turkey vultures yesterday in Cottonwood on Main Street. My first job? Outside of babysitting, which I began doing when I was nine, my first job was washing my Aunt Helen’s floors, which I did until I was 15. Then, my first job for a business was as the all-around helper at Maria’s Pizzeria in Detroit on Grand River where I learned all aspects of the trade and to this day make a fabulous pizza crust. I worked for the Valentes through high school saving money to backpack through Europe which I did for three months when I graduated. Where was I born? I’m a Motor City Girl, born and raised. I have strong memories of the 67' Race Riots as well as the Tigers winning the World Series in ’68. I happily stood around piles of burning leaves we had just raked, and I worked on my best friend’s dad’s strawberry truck in the summer. “Strawberries, three quarts a dollar,” we hollered as we drove through the city streets. I’ve swam in each of the five great lakes and the Detroit River, and I remember when they closed Lake Erie due to pollution. I had tremendous exposure to art, music, and dance, and ironically, my first concert was Chicago! Book that changed my life? I can absolutely not choose one book that influenced my life for I have been an avid reader since early childhood and come from a family of avid readers. But I can say that two of my favorite poets are Anne Sexton and Joni Mitchell, and two of my favorite authors are Louise Erdrich and Emma Donoghue. I do not read enough non-fiction, and I read too many emails. My interests and hobbies? I am a lifelong diarist/journaler. I started keeping a diary when I was five years old, and I still write every single day. I am a poet and you can find my work here and there or at pocketpoet.net. I am also a collage artist, and I’d like to say dancer but right now the only dance I’m doing is Zumba, although I spent many years in a studio and performing. I have a B.A. in Spanish Literature and M.A. in Creative Writing Fiction: I’ve written five novels, dozens of short stories, one memoir, and published barely one. Hopefully because I have not tried. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit sedonalibrary.org/donate, our website or send your check to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336. Remember you can direct your gift to the Village Library as well. Thank you! Sedona Public Library News Column for September 30, 2022 Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator  Hello Red Rock News Readers! A library is the heart of any community and your Sedona Public Library is no different. Here at the Library, ideas are exchanged; whether it’s the monthly meeting of Great Decisions, archeologists, birders, or any one of the many family programs, our visitors come here to learn and to connect. And in Youth Services, even the very youngest community members are doing just that.
Have you ever wondered why on Monday mornings there are so many kids and parents waiting for our doors to open? Let me tell you. In September of last year, we launched “Toddler Play ‘n Learn,” a new program for toddlers (ages 0-5 years old) and their parents. This popular morning program is taught by Marcia Hansen, youth librarian, on Mondays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. “Miss Marcia,” as she is affectionately known by kids and parents alike, has been teaching and entertaining children at Sedona Public Library for more than five years. With the increasing numbers of young families in and around the Sedona area, the “Toddler Play ‘n Learn” program has become very popular for children and parents as well. Toddlers are at a crucial time in the development of language skills, and the program gives parents ideas on how to encourage and stimulate their child’s development. Sedona Public Library is so lucky to have Miss Marcia! Not only does she entertain and teach the preschoolers, but she reminds parents and caregivers to foster early literacy skills. One of her favorite lessons is “retelling,” which she emphasizes will improve a child’s comprehension, vocabulary, and oral language skills. “Toddler Play ‘n Learn” starts with a short gathering on the “Rainbow Rug” and a greeting song and story. Then the toddlers and their parents choose from a wide variety of activities: balance beam, tunnels, hopscotch, building blocks, interactive table toys, puzzles, musical instruments, Duplo blocks with people and vehicles, and a different craft activity. The program has been a wonderful opportunity for parents to get acquainted with each other….to make playdates, talk about education, exchange parenting techniques, and build friendships. The program ends back on the rainbow rug with a chat about the day and often a flannel board activity, finger plays, music, and a final song or story. With the success of Toddler Play n’ Learn at our West Sedona Library, parents enthusiastically requested and assisted us in creating a new and already successful toddler program: Toy Potluck at Sedona Public Library in the Village. Every Thursday, you can bring toys to share or donate and join other parents and toddlers in an hour of fun toy time! Cindy Mahon, our newest youth librarian, will read stories and sing songs. Join us Thursdays at the Village Library from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The address is 25 West Saddlehorn Road in the Village. As we bid farewell to a rather rainy and warm September, we open our arms to embrace a cool autumnal October with many other fun activities for our little ones including Tuesday Story Time at Sedona Public Library in the Village at 11:15 a.m.; Wednesday Story Time in the Park at 9 a.m. (Sunset Park in West Sedona); Thursday "Music Morning with Annette" and Red Rock Drumming with Harta at 10:30 a.m. in Youth Services, and Friday Drumming with Harta in the Village at 11:15 a.m. We hope families will join us for Miss Marcia’s upcoming spooky Toddler Play n’ Learn on October 31, Halloween, where you’ll enjoy spooky decorations, activities, crafts, stories, and songs. The kids will parade through the Library entertaining all our visitors. Make sure you’re in the know with what’s going on at Sedona Public Library and sign up for the Library’s monthly Youth Services Newsletter. We’re always happy to see returning and new family faces at the Library. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website or send your check to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336. Remember you can direct your gift to the Village Library. Thank you! Photo caption: Catherine Garland, and her children Abby and Charles are one of many Sedona families who have enjoyed the plethora of Youth Services programs at the Sedona Public Library. Library News Column for September 23, 2022 Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator As published in the Red Rock News
It’s hard to believe that last year at this time we were happily planning the grand opening of a new library branch. Those were exciting, albeit busy, days! And on that gorgeous, early-November, autumn day in 2021, we opened Sedona Public Library in the Village to rave reviews, and the success continues. The Library is up and running; it is well- loved, well-used, helping hundreds of people and offering dozens of programs. Now, almost a year later, what’s keeping us busy? Well, it’s still the Village Library, but now we’re planning our first inaugural fundraising event. Have you bought your tickets for Novel Night? There’s still time! On Saturday, October 1, you can join other library supporters for a wonderful evening celebrating literature, literacy, libraries, and community. For this innovative event you’ll choose from seven amazing book-themed costume dinner parties hosted in the Village of Oak Creek and then for continued entertainment, fun, and a silent auction, you’ll attend the After Party at the Village Library. Maybe you’ll win a golf twosome at Seven Canyons or the Calvin Toddy originals! In all this planning that keeps us busy in the Library’s business office, a question often comes up: “How will you use the proceeds from Novel Night?” Good question, and thanks for asking. The proceeds from this October 1 fundraising event will support programs and services at Sedona Public Library in the Village. In fact, we now have a full program line-up, many services, and high-quality technology and Wi-Fi, as well as a great collection. Our door counts average 100 visitors every day. We’re especially excited about our new partnership with OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and to offer OLLI classes in our new Javelina Room. Other programs at the Village Library include Storytime; Beginning Spanish; Notary Public Wednesdays; Tech Tuesdays, Toddler Red Rock Drumming, and soon we hope to introduce an SPLV Movie Night. In July we hosted the Arizona Science Center’s Camp Innovation, which was a summer hit for many families, and later this month we have Sedona Arts for Peace photography exhibit. Many groups have already made use of the large, recently-opened Javelina Room including local HOA’s, the City of Sedona, Yavapai County, and Sedona Sister Cities. This meeting space has great technology, brand new furniture, and is big enough for groups of 50 participants. Additionally, the Village Library has three small meeting rooms, a children’s area, ample seating and study areas, public computers and two beautiful furnished patios. Now that the weather is (hopefully!) going to get cooler, we’re sure to see more use in these outdoor spaces with a fabulous view of Castle Rock. And the great news is that when you buy tickets for Novel Night, you help support all of this! We’ve only been open in this location for ten months but look at all we’ve done. Imagine what we can do with continued support! What better way to show how much you care than to attend the most “novel” fundraiser in town! So, order your tickets soon! They’re $100 each and include the themed dinner you choose as well as the After Party. Your dinner choices can’t be guaranteed, but there is simply no bad choice in the party options! Learn full details at sedonalibrary.org, click on the Novel Night logo, and order your tickets today! Many thanks to our event sponsors including Sedona Village Partnership, Sedona Vista Village, the planning committee, the dinner hosts, the Library Board of Trustees, and the many contributors to our silent auction. And many thanks to our technology and meeting room sponsors. You’ve made it happen! Interested in sponsoring this fun event? For all questions, contact Anne Marie at amackler@sedonalibrary.org. Want to rent a room at the Village Library? Contact Janmarc@sedonalibrary.org. See you on Novel Night! Sedona Public Library Library News Column for September 16, 2022 Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director As published in the Red Rock News
Hello Red Rock News Readers! Just like the dancing concessions say right as the lights dim and the projector starts, “Let’s go out to the movies!” September marks the seventh month since the return of “Monday Night Movies” to the Sedona Public Library. It’s been a busy and fun seven months, let me tell you. We’ve been following the format of first and third Mondays for showing first-run movies that were recently in theaters, and our second Mondays are what I like to call the “VHS Classics.” These can be any movie that was first released on VHS many moons ago, when Blockbuster Videos still roamed the countryside of America. Fun fact: 2006 was the last year a major studio-produced movie was released on VHS. Our fourth Mondays are saved for movies that are based on true stories or interesting documentaries. Every once and a while, there’s a month where a fifth Monday occurs. Those months I try to find a movie that may interest patrons and give them a chance to see what Monday Night Movies at the Library are all about. I’ll even try and sneak in a movie in the middle of the week. Kudos to everyone who came out on “May the Fourth Be With You” and watched the movie where a band of rebels lead by Diego Luna steal the plans for the giant space station. Or to everyone who came out on the Wednesday in July when we watched that classic summer beach movie about a big fish named Bruce. Our Monday movies start at 6 p.m., and we have free popcorn or a tasty cola or lime soda for only a dollar, I try and show movies that run about two hours. Before movies begin, you’ll be greeted by staff, usually me, and it’s our time to say, “thanks for coming out.” Your support helps us keep Monday Night Movies going. At the end of the movie, there’s always a questionnaire you can fill out to tell us what you liked or didn’t like about the movie. Many of our patrons tell me during the week that they look forward to Monday Movie Night. And it’s nice knowing that the Library can provide a free and fun program to the public. Thank you to Lupita Pollock for sponsoring popcorn and Monday Night Movies! If you'd also like to be a movie sponsor, contact Anne Marie, our Development Director at AMackler@sedonalibrary.org for more information. Since we were closed on Monday, September 5, there wasn’t a Monday movie. But we’ll have three more Mondays this month where you can come by, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show. You can always check what’s showing by visiting sedonalibrary.org and clicking our EVENTS calendar. You’ll see a general description of what we show but I always put the movie poster of that Monday’s listing in the calendar. You can even give us a call and we’ll be happy to tell you. September will be a great month for cinephiles. On September 12 we revisit one of the late comedian Robin Williams’ greatest roles: as the caring boarding school teacher John Keating, whose unorthodox teaching style inspires his students. On September 19, join Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock and Hollywood heartthrob Channing Tatum as they traverse the jungle trying to outwit Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, in a fun, action-romance adventure. We wrap up the Monday movie month on September 26 with comedian Kevin Hart, in a dramatic turn as a newly widowed father raising a daughter based on the 2011 memoir by Matthew Logelin. For teens and tweens we have a special second Saturday treat on September 10 when we’ll show an 80’s classic about pirate treasure hunting teens in Oregon. There will be limited seating, and popcorn and pizza are included! Yes, our movie license, though vast in its ever-changing catalog of films, can be tricky in how we promote our Monday Movies but I think half the fun is trying to figure out what the movies are! I’m looking forward to what we’ll be showing for the rest of the year. We’re entering prime movie season with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. What are your holiday movie traditions? Let me know and maybe that’s what we’ll show! Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website or send your check to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336. Remember you can direct your gift to the Village Library. Thank you! Sedona Public Library Library News Column for September 9, 2022 Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator  As published in the Red Rock News
Hello Red Rock News Readers! At any point in my work day, I will get up to stretch my legs and walk the library floor. Just like the precocious boy, Billy, in cartoonist Bill Keane’s Family Circus, I zip through the library, checking to see how things are going in our not-so-quiet-library. I’m a creature of habit, first I take a stroll past the circulation desk, the main library station where our helpful volunteers are sorting and checking in books to be reshelved or sent on to its next library destination. I then walk past the reference desk station, located by the library patron computers; where staff dutifully help patrons place holds on books or check out library Chromebook laptops or hotspots, all free with your Sedona Library Card. I zip through the non-fiction section, taking a quick peak at our Teen Area. I’m really proud of what are Teen Area at the Library has become. During the day, our adult patrons are welcome to sit on the comfortable couches to read and study or hold a quick phone conversation but around 2pm we ask them to please use the other areas of the library as it will become a place for teens and tweens, ages 11 to 18. We truly become a not-so-quiet-library when the teens are here. They conversate, laugh, decompress from their school day, and just get to be teens. Some say “children should be seen and not heard” but I disagree. Children and teens matter just as much as any other patron. They, our young patrons, are the future of the library. Eventually they will grow older, go off to college and perhaps even become parents themselves. Why not now, show them a positive place for them to be themselves and leave a positive impression of what the library can be and is. My walk about then takes me past our fireplace, where I take a moment to watch the progress as work crews finish on the Library’s new outdoor courtyard. I really am looking forward to see what that space becomes and how our patrons will use it. I then finish my journey through the library with a pass through our fiction section, saying hello to familiar faces, and picking up books that were read but not checked out, and finally coming back to our Tyransaurous head that I have lovingly called Steve, where I check to make sure the bulletin board showcasing any and all library programs is up to date before I head back to my desk to answer emails and schedule any upcoming programs or events. Why do we believe we must be quiet in a library? Gone are the days of the stern, eagle eyed, cardigan wearing librarian, quick to SHHH you at the mere sound of anything above a whisper. 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.” In our not-so-quiet library, “SHHH” is a four-letter word. 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 email paperwork to your lawyer. Yes, moments of commotion are inevitable; it is the modern way. Or, better put, the historical way. 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. If you’re searching for a quiet zone, generally our fireplace area, with ample seating, study nooks, and big tables along with the seating along the windows facing our parking lot are where you can find some quiet respite. The Quiet Study room, located next to the Reference Desk can be used, once a day for up to 2 hours without a reservation. Those needing a longer time to study can make a reservation. Just email me at janmarc@sedonalibrary.org and I’ll be happy to walk you through the process. It’s a nominal hourly charge and one of the ways the library raises funds for our operating budget. 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 embark on a substantial renovation project, your input is vital to the planning stage. Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website or send your check to Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, Arizona 86336. Remember you can direct your gift to the Village Library. Thank you! Sedona Public Library Library News Column for September 2, 2022 Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator |
