 The best thing about this time of year, especially in a year like we’ve just had, is it offers a time to reflect and to be grateful. Sedona Public Library would like to say thank you for your interest, participation, patience, and for your support this past year.
Our world, our states, and our towns have all changed this year. But there is one thing that simply hasn’t changed, not fundamentally, and that’s us, Sedona Public Library. We promise you that no matter the impact of the pandemic, your library is here to stay. We will continue as guided by the needs and the safety of the community. Our dedication to our mission is solid, and we’re taking every opportunity to better serve you during this complicated time. We’d thought it would be fun to share some stories from the Library and show you how our work this year has had significant reach in the community and beyond.
These are just a few of the stories showing the impact the Library has on lives locally, and beyond. We look forward to all the stories a new year will bring, and we ask for your support as we write the next chapter. Supporting the Library is supporting the community. We’re excited that with a gift from a generous donor and volunteer, your gifts will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $15,000, through the end of the month. Maybe you’ll consider a new or increased recurring gift? We also welcome gifts of stock, donor advised funds, or charitable qualified distributions. And remember, with the CARES Act, your cash gift of up to $300 to Sedona Public Library may qualify for the new Temporary Universal Charitable Deduction. How you give, or how often, is up to you, but rest assured it’s up to us to keep the community connected, and we do. Visit sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online gift, drop off a gift at our west Sedona or Village location, or send a gift to3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. And thanks. Happy holidays and Happy New Year from all of us at Sedona Public Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving Sedona and both Coconino and Yavapai Counties. Sedona Public Library Column for December 25, 2020 Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director  Sedona Public Library has come a long way from its starting point in 1958. What has never changed is the Library’s role as the heart of the community, a place where individuals of all ages can discover new authors, encounter new ideas, and, for so many people, make new friends.
As I leave my position as director after 11 years, I’m proud of the many accomplishments that we’ve made as a team, always a collaborative effort. I felt the same way when I left after my first tenure as director from 1979 to 1985. The number of people who have been involved with the Library’s establishment and growth is staggering. Thousands of donors, hundreds and hundreds of volunteers, and numerous dedicated board members and staff have worked together for over 60 years to build two different buildings, to run the day-to-day operations, and to administer this nonprofit library. I’d like to acknowledge those librarians who played a significant role in the history of the Library, starting with Ray Maloney. She was one of the prime movers in the effort to establish a library in Sedona. Pearl Huntting was librarian from 1962 to 1970, during the effort to raise funds for the Jordan Road library and its opening and early years. Cecil Brown, who was librarian during most of the 1970s, returned for a short time to help transition to a new director. When I came to Sedona in 1979 it was my pleasure to learn the ropes from her. Joan Duke followed me in 1985 and served in the position for nine years, during the successful fundraising, planning, and construction of the White Bear Road facility. I’m grateful to David Keeber, for his 15 years as library director starting in 1993, leading the team in moving from Jordan Road to White Bear Road and opening the new building with enough square footage to create a true community gathering space. When I returned as director in 2009, I came back to a city that had doubled in population and a library building five times the size of the previous one. I felt incredible respect for what the community accomplished in the years that I was away. I’ve been proud to continue many of the well-loved traditions. Last year marked 25 years of the annual Quilt Show, and the show will go on again in 2021. As the community has grown we’ve created new programs and services, including the Culture Pass, StoryWalk at Sunset Park, Coffee with a Veteran, up-to-date technology, e-books, streaming movies, and a new bookstore for the Friends of the Sedona Library. I’ve been truly fortunate to serve this community as director of the Sedona Public Library and work with a dedicated and talented group of staff and volunteers who have made coming to work a pleasure. It is with a sense of satisfaction that I leave and a profound sense of gratitude to all who have helped make this library the jewel of Sedona. I’m pleased to be leaving the Library in good hands. Incoming director Judy Poe has a wealth of library experience. As assistant director for almost two years, she knows the Sedona community and the Library well. With the support of the rest of the well-qualified staff, library board, and volunteers, the Library is certain to thrive and grow in exciting new ways. I look forward to spending time as a patron of the Library as I retire in Sedona, with more time for leisure reading and time to attend programs. And I look forward to seeing you in the Library, on the trails and around town! Sedona Public Library Column for December 18, 2020 Written by Virginia Volkman, Director  We have an exciting new program initiative for families and children in our community. With COVID-19 restrictions limiting the hands-on learning experiences of local students, Sedona Public Library is proud to fill in the gap by offering home-based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) activities for youth.
The Library is collaborating with the Science Vortex of the Verde Valley, a new nonprofit children’s STEAM center, to offer monthly virtual hands-on STEAM lessons and STEAM kits available for checkout. MONTHLY STEAM LESSONS: The first of ten virtual STEAM lessons will take place live on Zoom on Wednesday, December 16, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Lessons are designed for 8 to 12 year-olds, but younger children with direct adult support are welcome, too. Each lesson has a different topic and includes a challenge designed to strengthen children’s critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance. The first challenge will be to design a Rube Goldberg machine. Materials will be provided for each lesson. To participate, families must sign up on the Youth Services page of the Library’s website at sedonalibrary.org. Once you are signed up, we will notify you when the materials are ready for you to pick up either in the Youth Services Department or using our curbside pickup service. There are only 20 spots available for each lesson, so sign up ASAP to reserve a spot. STEAM KITS FOR CHECKOUT: Also coming soon are STEAM kits that will be available for checkout to families and educators. Kit themes include Astronomy, Bird Watching, Bubble Fun, Color and Light, Geology, Human Body, Physics, and Verde River Watershed. The kits will include instructions, supplies, and of course, books! For example, the Human Body kit will include the game “Operation,” a human skeleton model, an oximeter, a torso anatomy model, specially selected books to read, and more. The Bubble Fun kit will include everything you will need to learn about bubbles, including a bubble machine, bubble wands, and books. STEAM programming and STEAM checkout kits are made possible through the support of the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with CARES grant federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Online programming continues in December, with videos posted regularly on our website. Back by popular demand, Miss Meghan will offer Grab & Go Craft Kit video tutorials twice per month, with supplies provided by the Library. There will also be a special Grab & Go Treat available December 21 through 23, while supplies last. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Youth Services, 928-282-7714 x119, or email vkraus@sedonalibrary.org. Sedona Public Library is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Through December 31 your gifts to the Library will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $15,000, thanks to a generous donor. Visit sedonalibrary.org/donate or mail you check to 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. Thank you for your support! Sedona Public Library Column for Dec. 11, 2020 Written by Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Librarian  Sedona Public Library in the Village is open and offering most library services; however, the browsing collection is not available at this time. We are encouraging patrons to place holds for pickup at the VOC library. Placing a hold is easy if you know a specific title that you would like to request. What if you prefer browsing the shelves and have no idea what to read next? This article will offer some suggestions for finding titles that will appeal to your reading interests.
If you need assistance locating a title, placing a hold, renewing items you have checked out, receiving your PIN, or updating your account information, you may find it easier and quicker to call the library at 928-284-1603 or email voc@sedonalibrary.org. We are here to help. Sedona Public Library in the Village is at Suite 51A in Bell Rock Plaza. You have the option of returning materials from the Yavapai Library Network to the book drop box available at the Village location. Return materials to the cart at the door when the library is open. For opening hours please call the Village library at 928-284-1603 or check the library’s website at sedonalibrary.org. Thank you for supporting library services in the Village of Oak Creek. Sedona Public Library Column for December 4, 2020 Written by Cheryl L. Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village |
