Library News, by Dr. David R. Black, President,
Sedona Public Library Board of Trustees
Red Rock News
Date: October 5, 2007
Later this month, we will celebrate a group that is vital to your Sedona Public Li-brary – the Friends of the Sedona Library, Inc. The week of October 22 – 28 is National Friends of the Library Week, which gives us a chance to reflect on the contributions this group makes to your Library.
The Friends of the Sedona Library (FOL) was formed in 1967 to support the public library that opened in 1958. At that time, the City of Sedona had not yet been incorporated. The Library was an entirely volunteer effort, and all funding was through donations. The first officers were David W. Stallard, president; Cecil Lockhart-Smith, first vice president; Vera Shultz, second vice president; and Donald H. Rymer, treasurer.
This year, FOL is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The officers are Charlene Lipka, president; Leigh Shafer, first vice president; Mary Snyder, second vice president; Pat Loveless, secretary; and Donna Hawk, treasurer.
Today the Sedona Public Library contracts with the City of Sedona and both Coconino and Yavapai Counties to provide free library services to area residents and visitors. While this public funding covers the costs of salaries for our professional staff, utilities and other operational costs, we look to private sources of funding for a significant portion of our budget each year. The bulk of that annual private funding comes from FOL, through its book sales and special events such as the Festival of the Wreaths. This year, FOL has pledged a minimum of $90,000 that will be used to increase and enhance our collection of books, audio/visual materials, computers and other technological resources; provide special programming such as the Children’s Summer Reading Program; add shelving to house the collection; and meet other needs that may arise.
As with most such groups, a small number of people do the bulk of the work. FOL is always looking for more volunteers to help support the Library. Here are some current opportunities:
• Fall Book Sale – Setup begins on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Volunteers (especially those who can lift boxes of books and set up tables) are needed to arrange the books on tables by subject. The sale opens with a preview for FOL members and invited guests at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, and is open during Library hours through Saturday, Oct. 27. Volunteers are needed to keep the sales area looking neat and to cashier. Call Charlene Lipka at 203-4808 if you’d like to help.
• Festival of the Wreaths – This popular event offers for sale wreaths and other decorations that have been made and donated by businesses and individuals. Wreaths will be accepted at the Library on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Festival opens with a gala at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. Music will be provided by Frost & Frost and Walt Flory and Friends. In addition to the beautiful wreaths for sale, donated gifts, gift certificates from local restaurants and businesses, and hand-made items and artwork will be raffled. If you’d like to donate a wreath or raffle item or help with the gala, call SanDee Kinnen at 203-4363.
• Internet Book Sales – FOL began selling certain items on eBay and Amazon.com in December 2005 and now averages listings of more than 600 items. Volunteers are needed to research, price and list the items. E-sale volunteers need to be mini-mally computer literate. A sense of humor and the instincts of a detective are help-ful. Hands-on training is provided. Anyone interested should send an email to sedonafossilz@yahoo.com.
• Ongoing Book Sales – Donations for the semi-annual (Fall and Spring) book sales come in throughout the year and have to be processed. Paperbacks and trade pub-lications are offered for sale throughout the year. The shelves are stocked weekly to ensure a good selection. Because we are blessed with so many donations, FOL has begun offering Mini Book Sales of items in specific categories during certain months. For example, the September sale featured Westerns and Arizona History books. The next Mini Book Sale is Dec. 2 – 9 and will feature Holiday, Children’s and Gift books. To volunteer to help with these sales, contact Charlene Lipka at 203-4808.
As you can see, the Friends keep busy. Even if you can’t volunteer for one of the events mentioned, you can help by becoming a member of Friends of the Sedona Library. Applications are available at the Circulation Desk at the Library, or you can mail your tax-deductible membership fee to Friends of the Sedona Library, P.O. Box 268, Sedona, AZ 86339. Membership categories are:
Member, $15
Family, $25
Patron, $100
Benefactor, $250
Other, any amount you wish to contribute
Remember, the Sedona Public Library is your library. Be a Friend.
