Technology librarian offers tech support

​As published in the Red Rock News

This week’s column is another in the Library’s series introducing you to members of our staff. Today, I’m introducing Marcy Barnes Young, Technology Librarian. Marcy came on as a full-time librarian last year after working for us part time for many years. Marcy is a self-claimed “nerd” who loves the technology challenges that are brought to her. But unlike many nerds, Marcy’s tech prowess comes with kindness, patience, and a smile. For this, many patrons feel new confidence and are very grateful.
 
“I love when a user walks away more confident after our appointment,” Marcy explained. “I’m good at sensing a user’s saturation point. I can sense when it is time to stop talking, and they need to go home and practice.”

This is why typical one-on-one appointments with Marcy last only 30-60 minutes. You can make an appointment on Tech Tuesday, at the new branch in the Village of Oak Creek, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Technology tutoring is also available in West Sedona at the Library on White Bear Road on a walk-in basis or by appointment during open hours.

“This is a great opportunity for patrons to bring in their devices and learn about applications, navigation, and general troubleshooting,” Marcy said. She explained that so far it’s going really well, and she helps people with an array of devices, problems, and often how to download apps and e-books. “People are returning for more information,” she said, happy that this service is successful. And stay tuned, Marcy hopes that one day we’ll offer tech tutorials on different universal applications like the Google Suite.

I asked Marcy our typical interview questions, and her answers were delightful. No surprise there.
 
Where were you born?
“I was born in Balboa Naval Hospital near the beautiful Balboa Park, in a beautiful building!” Marcy left San Diego when she was 19, although she had never thought she would leave the ocean. But friends finally convinced her to join them on a road trip. “It was so hot; I was tired of the traffic; and I finally decided to leave.” The first stop was Sedona, and the first house they visited belonged to Dale. For Marcy, the road trip ended there, and she and Dale have been together ever since. They have three children and married in 2010.
 
What was your first job?
“Besides babysitting, at 14, I cleaned charter fishing boats in Point Loma Harbor.” After that, Marcy tended to follow her kids to find employment. When they attended West Sedona School, she got a job there as a media aide in the school library. “I was always good at troubleshooting, and I had good customer service.” When her daughter was attending Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy, Marcy got a job at the Cline Library at NAU, solving a commuter problem. “We just drove together.” And when she finally retired from NAU in 2021, we inherited her, and we are so glad we did.
 
What book most influenced you and why?
“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I read this at a time in my life when I was reconsidering who I was, and who I was going to become. This book was a self-discovery adventure. I learned that so much of what I did, I was doing for the wrong reasons. It really helped me think through things.”
 
Are you on Team Dog or Team Cat and why?
“Well, when it comes to dogs and cats, I love them both equally.”
“Bi-animal?” I asked.
“Yes!” Marcy laughed. “I’ve owned and loved both and at the same time. But right now I only have my grand-dog, Skipper.”
 
Have you ever seen a ghost or a UFO?
“I have not seen either,” Marcy said, and she seemed disappointed in that. However, she noted, she suspects her brother-in-law, who owns Sedona By Starlight, “has probably seen lots of things he couldn’t identify.”
 
Marcy loves working in a library because she believes that “Libraries are, perhaps, the greatest, or one of the greatest, institutions ever conceived of by civilization because of the service to community and the resources. Libraries serve as the equalizer.” We couldn’t agree more.

If you need some tech help, or even just a boost in your confidence as you’re figuring out a new device or app, or a new version of an app, come on by or make an appointment with Marcy Barnes Young, our Technology Librarian. You’ll be glad you did. Call 928-282-7714, ext. 8128.

Sedona Public Library 
Column for February 4, 2022 
Written by Anne Marie Mackler, Development Director