Keeber's Kolumn

Library News, by David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: November 2, 2007


A few years back, there was a huge debate in the library profession about adding video tapes of films to our collections of books. Some felt that libraries were about only books, but others reminded the nay sayers that we are supposed to respond to the needs of our users. They also made the case for libraries being providers of information in all forms. In the end, the video proponents won the day. Since then, libraries have expanded their collections to include videos, books on tape, books on CD, DVD’s, and lately, downloadable books.

This last has been a bit slow to start. Many people see portable books such as books on tape or CD as something you listen to in your car, and if they don’t plan on driving a long distance, they just don’t check them out. During the holidays and in the summers, when everyone is traveling distances to vacation or to see family, we check out loads of them. It seems that people see this format as only to be heard in their cars, or occasionally, especially among Sedona’s many artists, they listen to the in their studios while they work.

Everyone has seen the iPod come into wide popularity in the past few years. Many, many teens are perfectly happy to go about their activities with their earbuds in, happily listening to music. Podcasts, downloadable radio shows ranging from music to talk radio, are also starting to gain wider acceptance as more folks get portable music players onto which they load whatever the care to listen to.

Now, books in electronic format are no longer tethered to one’s car stereo system or your home music player. The Sedona Public Library has a great new format for books called the Playaway. These are portable music players that come preloaded with a single book. They are about the size of a matchbook and can be used anywhere, anytime.

Now, you can work in your garden, take long walks, exercise, ride your bike, or do housework while listening to top notch personalities reading your favorite books. The player can be popped into a pocket, hung on a lanyard, tucked into a backpack and you can listen for hours to the latest bestsellers. You don’t need to understand how to download things off of your computer because the books come pre-loaded on the players.

Each player requires a AAA battery to run it for hours. You also need the little earbuds to hear the sounds – no speakers on the players. For sanitary reasons, you will want to have your own earbuds, so the Library will sell you a pair for only $1.00! Keep them safe and you can use them many times, over and over.

Sedona Public Library has invested a fair amount of money to start this project with an excellent collection of titles. There are fiction and nonfiction, bestsellers and standards, adult and children’s books. If there are titles you would like to see us add to this collection, be sure to let us know. You can find these new items on the rolling cart in the main lobby. Staff is ready to show you how these work – very easily, by the way – and you will quickly find that there is nothing to it. In no time at all, you’ll be enjoying a great book, happily untethered from your home or auto stereo system.

Come in to the Sedona Public Library and check out a Playaway book. You’ll enjoy them and pretty soon, you may even want you own portable music player, which would be good because at the turn of the year, the Library will begin to offer downloadable audio books that go onto your own player. But, more on that when that new service is offered! In the meantime, check out a Playaway!

Keeber's Kolumn

Library News
Red Rock News
Date: October 26, 2007



Veterans History Project at the Sedona Public Library


What does the Sedona Public Library have in common with AARP and the Library of Congress? All three are participants in the Veterans History Project, which is honoring our nation’s war veterans and those who supported them by recording their oral histories, and photographing their memoirs and other documents related to their wartime experiences. 

First-hand personal stories from men and women from all branches of service: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Merchant Marine, with emphasis on World War I, World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars, are being collected and preserved. The project also documents the contributions of civilians such as medical volunteers and war industry workers who served in support of our armed forces.

Trained volunteers are interviewing our local veterans at the Sedona Public Library. The interviews are digitally recorded and then transferred to three DVD’s. One of these goes to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, where it becomes a permanent part of the nation’s record. One copy becomes a part of the collection at the Sedona Public Library, and the third copy is sent to the veteran, who is welcome to make copies for his friends and family if desired. 

Interviews from across the country can be seen on the Internet at www.loc.gov/vets. The interviews conducted here at our library are also available to the local public. This is an on-going project during which we hope to collect this audio and visual history from all our area veterans.

Veterans who are interested in taking part in this project are urged to contact Laura Bojanowski at the Sedona Public Library by calling 282-7714 ext. 20 or writing to the Veterans History Project, Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. If you know of a veteran who might be interested in participating and you’d like us to contact him/her, just call Laura or drop her a note and give us the name, address and phone number.

During the week beginning November 12th we will be honoring all veterans and especially those of our Verde Valley veterans who have participated in this project. There will be displays of photographs and other memorabilia at the library all that week. 

On Saturday, November 17, the library will host Meet the Veterans Day at the library Community Room from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Local veterans who have participated in the Veterans History Project have been invited to come to share their stories directly with the public. There will be light refreshments, veterans to meet and lots of interesting tales to be heard. Everyone is invited to come and meet these honored men and women who served in extraordinary times, to learn some history first-hand, and to express appreciation for their service to our nation. 

Remember to honor our veterans by celebrating Veteran’s Day on Sunday, November 11.





This column is also presented on: Gateway to Sedona and Sedona Biz