Meet a T-Rex and 'The Guy' at the library

As published in the Red Rock News
 
Greetings Red Rock News readers! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jan Marc Quisumbing, and I am the new Programming and Marketing Coordinator for Sedona Public Library. Having to say my name is a mouthful in and of itself, but when you add my new title into the mix, it makes for quite the word salad. Just call me “Jan.”
 
You may ask yourself–or not, it’s a free country–why does that name “Quisumbing” sound familiar? It sticks out like a life size T-Rex head in the Library. First, why is there a giant T-Rex head in the Library? Second, how did they get that T-Rex head into the Library? Thirdly, where’s Jan Marc going with this? The answer is as clear as the nose on my face. I’m the guy.
 
I’m the guy who’s known as The Janimal, the cartoonist in town. I’m the guy who, along with members of the Northern Arizona Cartoonist Association (NAZCA), held a 24-hour comic book marathon in Clarkdale a few years back. It was a fundraiser for the Clark Memorial Library. And “24” represents not only the number of hours we worked, but the number of completely written and drawn comic book pages we created—not a lot of sleep that day!
 
I’m the guy who helped start the Verde Valley Comic Expo which is held as a Summer Reading Program fundraiser for the Cottonwood Public Library. It will return next year, by the way, on March 26, 2022.
 
I’m the guy who, for the last two years, worked as the Teen Services Librarian at Cottonwood Public Library. I helped increase teen volunteer engagement and brought in some pretty cool programming: American Sign Language classes, and a Comic Book Club for a group of talented and amazing teens.
 
Now I’m the guy whose job it is to help discover, and build upon, engaging programming for our patrons at Sedona Public Library–from adults to families to teens. I’m the guy whose job it is to tell you, and show you, that the Library isn’t just about books; that “shhh” is a four letter word; and that the Library truly wants to be the third place in your life.
 
To learn more about the Library “being the third place in your life,” please stop by for a copy of the latest issue of our bi-annual magazine: Check It Out. (It is also available on our website: sedonalibrary.org). In this issue, the Special Edition: Community Needs Assessment, you will learn about the Library’s new focus and current plans. I’m excited about the role I’ll play as the Library grows and expands, and to be part of its evolving role in Sedona and the Verde Valley.
 
I am YOU. I’ve lived here for more than seven years with my wife and son and our immediate family. I shop in the community and dine locally. I’m the guy sitting next to you eating a slice of pizza or chatting about the weather at the Post Office. So maybe you’ve heard my name? It’s hard to forget. Quisumbing.
 
I’m the guy. Originally from the Garden State, a graduate of Rutgers University, I am proud to now call Sedona and the Verde Valley my home.
 
I look forward to meeting you in person at the Library, and to hearing your ideas about what programs you think would be worthwhile for our community. I look forward to hearing about the accomplishments of your children, just like any proud parent would. I’m the guy.
 
Oh, and the T-Rex at the Library? Come on in, and I’ll tell you all about it. I’ll give you a tour of all the cool things at the Library. Bring your mobile: you’ll want to take selfies!
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)3 non-profit library, and we have just launched our year-end campaign. If you’d like to support our programs, services, collections, and dreams, please visit sedonalibrary.org/donate. Or stop by either of our locations: 3250 White Bear Rd. in West Sedona and 25 W. Saddlehorn Rd. in the Village of Oak Creek.
 
Sedona Public Library
Column for 12/3/21
Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Programming and Marketing Coordinato