Library congratulates summer readers

As published in the Red Rock News

​Sedona Public Library is dedicated to keeping kids on track during the school year, and we love to help them avoid the summer slide that too many students experience over summer break. Skills were maintained, and news skills were achieved with our exciting summer program line up. Local sponsors, staff and so many families made this summer of learning one of the best ever! 

The Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program had 138 kids and teens registered and almost 50,000 minutes read, that’s over 800 hours of reading! Readers read books for points, participated in events, learned new skills, and earned prizes. We held 194 programs inside and outside the Library and engaged 1,791 kids in all sorts of programs.  

So many business sponsors provided prizes and programs. A giant shout out to City of Sedona Community Pool and Parks and Rec; Sedona Kids Company; Sedonuts; Arizona State Parks; Famous Pizza; The Chai Spot; NAU School of Forestry; Bearizona; Science Vortex; Out of Africa; Arizona Science Center; and the Friends of the Sedona Library. Thank you! 

Three programs stood out for kids and families. First, program registration was fun with face painting and henna art design for hands. Second, the Oceans of Possibilities Pool Party with the Jolly Roger Comedy Magician was a hit! We couldn’t have done it without the Parks and Recreation hosting this magical wet event. Finally, another hit was the Entomology for Kids with Forest Entomologist, Dr. Hofstetter and NAU interns. They taught kids about the bark beetle life cycle. The kids got to happily dig into logs to identify bugs. Special guests included the traveling Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches!  

Besides all the fun programming, we hosted two summer camps. With a generous donation from the Friends of the Sedona Library, kids participated for free in Sedona Youth Theater Camp. Over nine days of intensive theatrical training, Sedona Youth Theater inspired youth to create their own unique show highlighting their amazing talents, performance skills, and imaginations. The kids loved it and shared their thoughts. 
Addison said, “I learned you can make something out of nothing.” 

And Willow said, “It was fun! I had a good time and I learned that you do not have to always know your lines.” 
Sage said, “The teachers were welcoming and gave equal attention to everyone . . .  Improv is the best because you have to think on your feet.”  

Finally, Kinsley noted, “Acting class made me feel welcome. It is really fun and I learned that mistakes make it perfect." 
Another camp was a free week-long science camp: Arizona Science Center Camp Innovation held in the new Javelina Room at Sedona Public Library in the Village. Kids spent five days, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., learning about science and doing interactive activities. Thank you, Arizona Science Center for coming to Sedona. Here’s what the kids said. 
Twins Wylann and Westly said, “We enjoyed being with friends and making new friends. We loved making slime, rockets, marble tracks, and paper helicopters . . . there was a yummy lunch every day!” 

Aiva said, “My favorite activities were making candles and making chalk, rockets and heat shields, and the teachers were very nice, and we got a pizza party at the end with M&Ms. I want to go again.”  

From parent, Alexis Workman, we heard, “I am blown away by how many hands-on science activities they did each day covering such a wide range of topics like animal adaptations, thermal energy, force and motion, and states of matter. This was absolutely an amazing program and so convenient to not have to worry about packing lunches and snacks. We would do this again without question. Thank you!!!”  

The camp counselors thought it was a great experience, also. Here’s what Camren Carlson said, “I really enjoyed having the opportunity to take Arizona Science Center’s Camp Innovation up to Sedona. Teaching science at the Sedona public library was an incredible experience. The campers were an amazing group of students who were really passionate about science. I loved watching their amazing reactions to the power of science. Seeing all that the kids learned and experienced made the week of camp extremely rewarding.” 

And thanks to further support from AZ OnTrack, the Arizona Science Center will be back at the Sedona Public Library for a Back-to-School Family Event. Join us for Family Day on Saturday, August 27, from 12 – 2 p.m. Discover the wonder of science and join us to explore engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics, win prizes, and spend quality time with family through hands-on activities—all designed for back-to-school readiness. 

If you participated in the Summer Reading Program, please come by and help our planning process when you complete a simple survey located in the Youth Services Department. Thanks! 

Sedona Public Library is an independently run, 501(c)(3), privately owned, debt-free, nonprofit organization providing public services. We receive support from the City of Sedona and the Friends of the Sedona Library, property tax dollars from Yavapai and Coconino Counties, and gifts from businesses, foundations, and individuals like you. Thank you! Visit sedonalibrary.org to learn more. 

Caption for photo: Happy kids who won prizes for their completion of the Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program. 

Sedona Public Library  
Library News Column for August 19, 2022  
Written by Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Manager 

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