Meet library's administrative services manager Logsdon

As published in the Red Rock News

Good day, Red Rock News readers! Few of us on the staff at Sedona Public Library could chart the exact path that led us to work at the Library. However, for Pamela Logsdon, the Library’s Administrative Services Manager, it was as simple as writing a fourth-grade essay about her dream of living in Sedona. 

As a water person, she was destined to leave Phoenix where she grew up, and she made Sedona her primary residence in 2012. She continues to enjoy the cool shade and beauty of Oak Creek and to hike in the nearby forests and canyon.  

I first met Pamela when she toured the Cottonwood Public Library where I was the Teen Services Library Specialist. Pam remains the welcoming and friendly woman I met that day, not knowing that barely a year later she would be a colleague and a reassuring presence. She is always quick to say, “You’re doing fine, Jan. Keep up the good work.” 

You won’t normally find Pamela in the stacks or at Circulation or Reference. She’s usually in the Business Office with Anne Marie Mackler, the Library’s Development Director. Pamela stoically sits at her desk, an Oracle-esque expression on her face as she combs though a myriad of accounting and human resources emails and documents, counts donation revenue, sorts bills and invoices, and diligently and quickly finds the answers to the onslaught of questions the Staff and Board pose on an hourly basis. Or she’s laughing about something with Anne Marie. 

Prior to working at the Library, where she will celebrate her 10-year milestone this November, she worked for two non-profit organizations in Orlando, Florida. She served as Chief Financial Officer for Hope Helps which works to prevent homelessness; and for Florida Literacy Coalition. 

But Pamela has, as many of us have, worn many career hats. She was the Treasurer and Director of Finance, and co-owned along with her life partner Jack, VBNet, an Internet Service Provider servicing the Orange County Convention Center and supporting student housing across Florida and North Carolina. Pam also managed and co-owned CCN, a provider of information and promotional services at the Convention Center. 

This background lends to that oracle-esque nature I mentioned. Pam has a memory like an elephant and can out multi-task anyone. By far the career hat that that I find most fascinating is that she also served as VP of Finance and Operations for Barclay Communications, Inc., a full-service ad agency catering to clients in the motion picture and entertainment industry. She had a hand in the glamorous openings of the Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood restaurants that surely I watched on “Entertainment Tonight.” She also met one of my favorite celebrities: chef Wolfgang Puck! 

But enough of me going on about Pamela. We’ll let her tell you about herself as she answers the questions we ask all of our staff for our introduction columns. Then, you can see for yourself how she came to be the Oracle of the Library.  

Where were you born? “ I was born in Phoenix, Arizona and attended Arcadia High School with famous alumni like Stephen Spielberg and Wonder Woman herself, Linda Carter. I am inspired by my amazing daughters, who attended that same high school. Jamie, a doctor of physical therapy, is a regional managing partner/owner of Texas Physical Therapy Specialists. Ginger is a Multi-Disciplinary Interactive Experience Designer whose installations have been celebrated from Barcelona to Taiwan, as well as the Artechouse and Orlando Science Center in the U.S.” 

What was your first job?  “The ultimate teenage rite of passage: Jack in the Box! There I made hamburgers, took drive-through orders, and counted out correct change, all at the same time!” 

What book most influenced you and why?  “Hmm…I am so much more a movie girl. Recently, I was fascinated with The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race. As I am a self-proclaimed ‘DNA freak,’ I believe that the research they present on DNA is something everyone should learn about.” 

Are you on Team Dog or Team Cat and why?  “Team Dog because I am allergic to cats. Our 15-year-old dog, Charlie, a designer breed guaranteed not to shed, but does, is a most wonderful friend and companion. In the 80’s, a wonderful black cat, Star, adopted us and lived with us for many years, but she had to live outside due to my allergies. While living in Florida, she graciously shared the porch with the raccoons who came through the cat door. They were so tidy, they washed their hands in her water bowl.”  

Have you ever seen a ghost or a UFO? “No, I have had dreams that served as premonitions to events that happened like my grandmother’s passing. But no UFOs landing in my yard. The ghost conversations have to remain private (lol). 

Pam’s passion and experience for running a tight ship adds to the financially sound reputation the Library has had for many years. And those movies you love to watch at the Library? Pam’s humor, keen eye, and love for the Sedona audience often contribute to which films we show. It all started as far back as grade school and imagining her life here, in high school rubbing elbows with stars, and now, here she is, and we’re grateful! Thank you, Pam! 

​Sedona Public Library  
Column for May 6, 2022  
Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator  
 

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