Keeber's Kolumn

Library News, by David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: December 14, 2007


When people walk into the Sedona Library, they typically are doing the same things each time. They go to the Circulation desk to drop off their books to be checked in, or to an Internet computer, they look up a book, read one of the many periodicals, attending a program, or ask a question at the Reference desk. They are familiar with the place and know what they want to do.

The Library’s newly redesigned website, www.sedonalibrary.org, was created to afford users the same ease of access to all the services we offer. Just as one does when one walks into the Library physically, someone using the Library’s website can easily find what he or she is looking for.

Imagine going to the computer catalog to find a book. The website offers that same window into all1.4 million items in the Yavapai Library Network collection. There is an advantage to using the website, though – you can do this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even when the Library is closed, right from your home. Go ahead and search the catalog in your thread bare bathrobe and fuzzy bunny slippers. Who is going to know?

Do you want to find out when a program is scheduled? The website gives you all the same information as when you ask one of the staff or volunteers in the Library. How about checking to see if you have a fine on your library card? You can do that too from the website.

Kids and teenagers often need homework help. They can follow the links on our web to literally hundreds of great resources that will meet their needs. The links are all highly recommended by librarians from all over the country. Our teen section, the newest part of our updated web, is full of great links on books, music, comics, sports and computer and video games. We are is especially proud of this section as we worked very hard to provide links that teens will find useful.

Another feature with which we are very pleased is the Dear Reader online book clubs and newsletters. Are you a fan of fiction, or mysteries, teen books or romance, business or even audio books? Are you looking for the newest books coming out? By signing up online, you will receive a monthly newsletter to your email detailing the new books in each genre with a direct link to our catalog so you can place a hold.

Are you the type that wants to flip through a book and read a bit before checking it out? By signing up for the book clubs, also in a variety of genres, you can get a five-minute excerpt from the first chapter of a book to read to decide if it is what you want. These quick reads also have a direct link by which you can order the item from the Library!

Ten percent of our community population is Hispanic and the new website offers a page of information about the services we offer to those folks. Our goal is to assist new arrivals in Sedona to become fully fledged citizens that participate in the local culture as fully as do Anglos. We have materials to assist in learning English, how to apply for citizenship, plus fiction and nonfiction, adult and youth materials. If you know someone who would benefit from such reading materials, please direct them to the Sedona Library.

The new website provides information on the history of the Library, the Friends of the Library, our policies, how to volunteer, and much more. There are even links to community organizations and helpful websites that have been checked by our professional staff for their accuracy and currency of information.

More and more, people are accessing information from wherever the need occurs to them, and at all hours of the day or night. By designing our website to mirror the Library’s array of services, plus offering many resources that are among our most requested points of information, you can have professional library help for your information needs any time you want or need them.

Be sure to check out the site at www.sedonalibrary.org. If you would like to be shown what we have with the assistance of a staff member, you can always just ask for a “tour” the next time you are in the building. Sometimes, the personal touch is best after all and it is our strong suit!