As published in the Sedona Red Rock News

Do you remember those old-fashioned library card catalogs? Librarians and thrifters tend to love those old wooden cabinets with lots and lots of drawers and little curved brass drawer pulls. Many of us have them in our homes and use them for art supplies, coffee tables, or jewelry boxes…we just can’t get enough of them. But while we do love them as furniture, we are actually very, very glad that we don’t have to use them to find materials in the library anymore. No more thumbing through thousands and thousands of cards, and no more papercuts and hangnails caused by all that riffling. When it comes to finding items in a library, we’ve come a long way.
 
Now books are “cataloged” in a library’s ILS—the Integrated Library System. ILS software is basically a giant database that holds listings for all our materials, patron data, and checkout records. The ILS “integrates” the information so we know all there is to know about a book: where it can be found on the shelf, who has put it on hold or checked it out, when it is due, when it’s no longer being used, and when it’s time replace it with something new.
 
The new container for what we used to refer to as “the card catalog” is what librarians today refer to as the OPAC—the Online Public Access Catalog. The OPAC is the public interface for the ILS, and it makes finding the books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs—really anything that you can check out from the library—a whole lot faster and easier.
 
However, all online catalogs are not created equal. As with most things technological, there are good choices and bad ones. Those that are easy to use and those that “aren’t so much.” There are those that still have a user scrolling through pages and pages to get to the audiobook they want and not the large print or paperback version that is listed. And then there’s Aspen Discovery, Sedona Public Library’s new OPAC.
 
Sedona Public Library, and all libraries in the Yavapai Library Network (YLN), are pleased to introduce this new system.  Aspen Discovery looks very different, and much better, from the former OPAC we used. Now, you will have a much better user experience that includes easy, intuitive browsing and straightforward search options.
 
Upon your initial search, you will see one record that includes all the formats available. For example, if you search for John Grisham’s A Time for Mercy, just one record appears with every available option—the audiobook on CD, Large Print Book, Regular Print Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, and Playaway. You can easily see if the format you want is “Here” in our Library, if it’s checked out, if it’s available online, in transit, or available at another library. It’s that easy. And if what you’re looking for isn’t in our Library at that time, or if it’s checked out, you can just click the “Place Hold” button, and it will be on its way to you in no time. Looking for an eBook or eAudiobook? You can check it out right from the catalog—no need to go to OverDrive or Libby to make your selection as you have had to do in the past.
 
In addition, and to make it even easier, you can quickly narrow your searches to a desired format with the icons at the top of the search page. Our new catalog also features personalized recommendations, unlimited lists, the ability to rate and review titles, sharing of title information through email and social media, and easy-to-find series information so you know what to read next.
 
This new catalog is easy, friendly, fun, and functional. Want to give it a spin? Starting today, our new catalog will appear when you click on “Search Catalog” or “My Account” on the Library’s homepage at sedonalibrary.org. It’s still in beta mode, so new features will continue to be added. You will still have access to the old catalog until January, but I’m guessing that you won’t want to use the old one once you give the new one a whirl. Go ahead—try it today! And if you happen to have an old card catalog sitting around, I know a few librarians that would be happy to take it off your hands!
 
As always, Sedona Public Library is here for you, working to make your library experience a great one. Please remember your favorite, local, non-profit organization: Sedona Public Library when you make a charitable gift. Simply visit Sedonalibrary.org/donate where you can make an online one-time or recurring donation. Your investment in your library, and therefore your community, is just a click away.
 
Sedona Public Library 
Column for October 29, 2021
Written by Judy Poe, Library Director

As published in the Sedona Red Rock News

We cordially invite you to join us for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Sedona Public Library in the Village on Thursday, November 4, at 11 a.m. This first full day of business in the new library will be a fun celebration with refreshments, guest speakers, and music by Bill Barns. Your new library branch will be in Big Park Community School at 25 W. Saddlehorn Road, just off Verde Valley School Road.
 
We are thrilled that Dotte Vande Linde, the original manager of the Service Center in the Village, will cut the ribbon for this celebration. Sedona Public Library made its first appearance in the Village of Oak Creek nearly 20 years ago when residents placed a cardboard box for returning Library items at Weber’s IGA (now Clark’s Market). Local volunteers delivered the items to West Sedona, and eventually the first service center opened on West Cortez Drive in December of 2005.

“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 library in the Village of Oak Creek. What wonderful news,” Dotte said.
As of November 4, Sedona Public Library in the Village will be open for eight additional hours and will provide a host of services never before available at the Service Center in the Village. Expanded services include a Children’s area with program space for popular programs like Storytime; three small meeting rooms with Wi-Fi; coffee; two furnished outdoor patio spaces; increased study and meeting space; comfy hang out space and furniture; a Friends of the Sedona Library book sale and used book drop-off location; weekly Notary Public Service; and weekly Tech Tuesdays.
 
Additional services will evolve and expand over time including the collection of adult and children’s items, more public computers, and more Chromebooks and hotspots for patron checkout. Programs for adults and children will include movies, lectures, book clubs, and AZ Humanities presentations to name a few. The current services like holds pick up and the tech station with charging tables, printer, fax, etc. will all, of course, also be available in the new space.
 
Speakers for the November 4 event include Dan Gallagher, President of the Board of Trustees of Sedona Public Library, Camille Cox, President of the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council; Corey Christians, Yavapai County Librarian, and David Keeber, Board President of the Friends of the Sedona Library. David was the Library Director when the first Village Service Center opened, and he’s excited about this expansion. “This is a fabulous opportunity for the entire community; and, looking forward, it means continued connections for all of Red Rock Country and the Verde Valley.”

Sedona Public Library is grateful to all the supporters who have provided funding for many years and who never lost hope in the possibility of a full branch library in the Village of Oak Creek.
We would also like to thank the many community members who have generously donated furnishings for the new location, and the Sedona Area Garden Club which has committed to taking care of the plants in this expanded library space.

This space is made available through an agreement with Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District Governing Board who unanimously voted on a renewable annual lease for this space in Big Park Community School.
At the Governing Board’s discussion in August, it was noted by Barbara Trautwein that this was a “perfect use” for this space. Board President Randy Hawley said that they were “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.”

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."

Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designated in 1964 to operate a public library in Sedona, and now we have two branches. 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 Village of Oak Creek and Big Park to support this important library initiative.
 
Sedona Public Library
Column for October 22, 2021
Written by Anne Marie Mackler
​

As published in the Sedona Red Rock News

​​Books and Costumes on Parade!
 
Join us for the Halloween Booook Bash on October 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Sedona Village Learning Center in the Village of Oak Creek. This will be a great opportunity to celebrate the new Sedona Public Library in the Village with books, games, music, food, and a parade! It is guaranteed to be a fun-filled morning, and you can help us fill our bookshelves.
 
Sedona Public Library is building its collection for the new full branch library at Big Park Community School, opening on November 4, and we need your help. We’re asking community members to help us fill our bookshelves in the Kids Korner, and we’ve made the shopping easy! All you have to do is visit our website, click the link for the “Halloween Book Parade Booklist,” select a favorite book, make your purchase, and bring the book to the parade on October 30.
 
“It’s like having a bridal registry, only better,” explained Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Librarian. “We carefully curated this list, so it is exactly what we need to fill the children’s shelves at our new Village library. Books are already being purchased.”
 
Children and adults alike are asked to come dressed in book-themed costumes. Maybe you’ll make a costume based on a book in our list. Consider the big red fire engine from I’m Brave by Kate and Jim McMullan, América, from América Is Her Name by Luis J. Rodríguez, or be “green” like Jake in Not for Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green by Maria Godsey. There are so many choices!
 
Adults might consider grabbing a book from one of our current displays for costume ideas. Perhaps Boo Radley or Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird, a title from our “Banned Books” table. Or maybe Dolly Parton or Hamilton, two choices included in titles on our 700’s display: “Art, Sports, and Music.” You may find a costume idea in any book you’ve checked out or maybe from your own collection. If you need help, you can always ask one of our librarians—they have plenty of ideas. We can’t wait to see who (or what) you’ll be for the Halloween Book Bash!
 
To join the parade, please be at the Learning Center’s playground at 10:45 a.m. for line up. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and kids will have the opportunity to trick or treat from vendors and guests. Bring your books to the parade, and if you can’t make the parade, feel free to bring them by the main Library on White Bear Road.
 
If you'd like to set up a table to give out treats at the Halloween Book Bash, please email Shara at sedonavillagelearningcenter@gmail.com. The Library is grateful to Sedona Village Learning Center and the Sedona Village Partnership for welcoming us into the Big Park Community School with this fun celebration. The Learning Center is at 25 W. Saddlehorn Road in the Village of Oak Creek.
 
After many years, we are spreading our wings and will have our very own Library branch. The celebration begins at the Book Parade, but please also mark your calendars for November 4, 11a.m. when we will have our Grand Opening. Watch for details on this fun event.
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit organization, and we are grateful for your generous gifts towards opening this new Library. Expansions always test an organization’s budget, but we know how passionate the community is about having a bigger, better library option in the Village of Oak Creek. Visit sedonalibrary.org/donate where you make a gift and designate it for SPLV. Thanks! Happy reading and haunting!

As published in the Sedona Red Rock News
 
Most patrons who visit the Library come to pick up an item on hold, find a new book or author, conduct research, read a magazine, or use our computers. Did you know that many patrons also come to check out our music? You might be surprised to find that we have so much to choose from for adults and children alike.
 
We all know how important music is for healing, health, and entertainment. Recent research indicates that music has been essential to many Americans during the pandemic. According to a poll published in People magazine in June of last year, 2,000 Americans found that music and virtual concerts helped them feel connected during the pandemic. In fact, “those surveyed are listening to music an extra 38 minutes a day.
 
Sedona Public Library is proud to offer lots of music for your listening pleasure. There are 12,242 music CDs available for circulation through our Yavapai Library Network. Here at Sedona Public Library, you can find quite a selection of music on our shelve from many genres including Arizona musicians, soundtracks, new age, jazz, rock, folk, and Spanish.
 
We have music CDs for children, too, and if you log on to our website, under the Youth Services Tab, not only will you find Tumblebooks with lots of Tumbletunes, but you’ll also find Story Times with our very own Miss Marcia and the “Music Everywhere with Annette.” series.
 
It might seem old fashioned to check out music CDs, but many of our patrons do so quite intentionally. Dale Albright offers his thoughts, “I like the library CD collection because music has always been a hobby. I was a part-time DJ when I served in the Air Force, so I always kept up with the latest releases and music in general. Nowadays, almost everything seems to be on a digital platform. But with some things, I prefer high touch rather than high tech. Getting the music CDs from the Library, for me, is the same as borrowing a print book versus downloading an E-book. I like the ‘old school’ experience."
 
Another patron, Norris Peterson, especially likes the ability to search music in our catalog and then check it out. He said, “The Library’s music collection has been an exceptionally good source to experience all types of artists and genres. From this I have been able to select and peruse the composers, artists, and genres whose styles I enjoy. I listen to music while I work out and when I am traveling. The system in place to search, find, request and pick up the music CDs from the entire library system is a great service.”
 
Marcia Hansen, a children’s librarian, who presents the popular Story Times at Sunset Park, explains how music is important for young children learning how to read. “The rhythm, rhyme, lyrics—all of it—create a key steppingstone to early literacy.” Some of her favorite musicians from our youth music CDs include Raffi, Greg & Steve, Hap Palm, and Jim Gill. All this fun music is bound to get you and your kids dancing, singing, and reading!
 
Finally, Claudia Tulip explains both her love for the Library and for music. "As a universal language, music is direct and requires no translation. It has the power to connect us with ourselves and, as a result, each other. Now, more than ever, visit the music collection at your library and see what jumps off the shelf and into your heart.”
 
We invite you to browse our music collection and check out something to soothe your soul. Remember the words of the late, great singer Aretha Franklin, “Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we welcome your tax-deductible donations. Consider making a gift online at sedonalibrary.org/donate.
 
Sedona Public Library
Column for October 8, 2021
Written by Cheryl Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Villag

As published in the Sedona Red Rock News
​
This week’s column is another in Library’s series introducing you to the members of the staff. And as we are in National Hispanic Heritage Month, through October 15, we thought it would be perfect for you to meet María Bernardi, our Latino Services Librarian.

María has been with the Library for almost three years. When asked what she likes most about being a librarian at Sedona Public Library, she said, “I like helping with so many interesting projects. Librarians today must know technology as well as literature, which is both challenging and exciting. I am always happy to help people translate documents, forms or other documents.”

María is bilingual and her ability to speak both English and Spanish is a much-needed attribute for the Library. She can help Spanish speakers sign up for a library card, and she can answer reference questions in Spanish. She also manages the Library’s Spanish language collection that includes books, movies, and children’s books, as well as People magazine. “There are many more magazines in Spanish available online,” María noted. We have many digital e-books and audiobooks in Spanish available through Overdrive on the Yavapai Library Network. She really enjoys helping patrons set up their accounts and navigate all our online resources in Spanish or English.
 
For National Hispanic Heritage Month, María helped set up our book display in our Spanish Family area. These books are in English and geared to help non-Spanish speakers better understand Hispanic cultures. The display is for all ages and is located just behind our new book stacks. María recommends the books Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez and Lobizona and Cazadora by Romina Garber both in the display. These authors are from Argentina and the stories share much about that dynamic and historic culture. For movies, she recommends Coco and Dora and the Lost City of Gold as great family-friendly choices for learning Hispanic culture, both available from the Yavapai Library Network.
 
María heads up our recently revived ESL tutoring program. Currently four students are learning English as they work with enthusiastic tutors via personalized lessons. “We are always looking for more students and tutors,” she explained. With her assistance, we also offer a Spanish Language Conversation Group on Zoom. This weekly conversation is friendly and casual, open to the public, and if you’re interested in joining, please contact María at mbernarndi@sedonalibrary.org.
 
María answered our five questions, which will help you get to know more about her.

Where were you born? “I’m from Argentina. I was born in Córdoba, the second largest city in Argentina which has the third oldest university in South America. My family moved to the United States when I was almost two years old, and I learned English in Story Time at the Cincinnati Public Library.”

What was your first job? “My first job after college was shelving books and answering questions at Sunset Library in Chandler. This is where I was really inspired to become a Librarian and started my MLS classes. I had always considered Librarianship a cool career, especially when I saw how much one-on-one resource a librarian provided. I started my training right as E-books became popular, and that was really exciting!”

What book most influenced you? “The Lord of the Rings series was the most influential set of books I read in my early life. I was enchanted by the adventure. Reading has fueled my imagination and creativity on many levels, and really, I’ve learned much about life and gained more confidence as I have read the adventures of others.” 
 
Are You on Team Dog or Team Cat? “I prefer dogs, but I enjoy being around cats, too. I don’t have a pet, but I definitely enjoy other people’s pets, especially my brother’s two Pekingese dogs. They are like toys, or mops--they’re so furry and funny!

Have you ever seen a ghost or a UFO? “Once I was on a tour out near Bear Mountain and a sleek, beige flying object appeared in the sky. For a little while, we all considered it a UFO, but then we learned it was just a drone. I haven’t seen any ghosts!”

If you want to practice your Spanish, teach ESL, or if you are looking for a book or movie recommendation in Español, don’t hesitate to ask María. Have an idea for a program or need a room for an event? María can help you. With her language skills, she can also help you translate and complete a form that is in English or learn computer or other technology skills.

Sedona Public Library is your community library, and we are glad to help you get to know us, just as we are always glad to get to know you - in Spanish or English! We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your generous gifts are always welcome. Visit us at sedonalibrary.org/donate to learn more or make an online gift, and thanks!
 
Sedona Public Library 
Column for October 1, 2021
Written by Library Staff, Sedona Public Library