Library News, by David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: March 21, 2008
There are many ways that the Sedona Public Library is unusual. It is a private library open to the public. It has been built entirely from donations two times in its history. We have upwards of 180 volunteers who contribute nearly half the labor needed to conduct our work. And we have an administrative Board of Trustees that is looking for those who may wish to assist in the Library's administration.
So, what is an administrative Board of Trustees, you may ask? Well, in most communities, the library is a department of the city or town in which it resides. As such, the Mayor, or City Manager, or even the entire City Council serves as the final word on what gets done or doesn't get done at the library. The Board of such libraries is an advisory board, advising the person or persons ultimately responsible for providing library services to the community. That advice may or may not be taken heed of.
But, Sedona Public Library has an administrative Board, one that makes decisions, decides overall direction, determines how the money will be spent and has an employee, the Library Director. It is a position that carries greater weight as those people who serve on the Board are responsible for its overall success or failure. Given that the Sedona Public Library enjoys considerable success, the Board of Trustees can be seen as having dutifully administered the public's trust in their oversight of the Library.
The Board of Trustees of the Sedona Public Library is currently seeking new members. There is a need for people with a true love of libraries, who understand the place the Library holds in the community, and who are willing and eager to work with others ensuring the long-term survival of this vital community center.
If you are interested in becoming part of a dynamic group of individuals who obtain satisfaction from this sort of work, please consider becoming a member of the Board of Trustee at the Sedona Public Library. All you need to do is pick up a packet containing the application, fill it out and participate in the interview process held by the existing Board. If selected, you can help ensure that the community continues to receive the very best library services.
Please consider serving on the Board of Trustees. It is active, rewarding and busy work and you get to work with lots of great people, ranging from the other Board members to staff and on through the volunteers. We are sure you will enjoy your time here. Pick up a packet today.
Shifting gears a bit, now, if you are a user of the Internet computers, when you come into the Library you will see that we are in the middle of a major revamping of those machines. Some of the changes are noticeable, such as the new computers and screens that we are replacing. Other changes, like new servers and a new connection to the web via cable, are not so obvious. Combined though, the improvements will permit users to access the web on new and faster machines, enjoy better and reliable connections, and even find jump drive connections on all the computers (not always the case with the old batch of machines).
We have been working on the new system for months now and it is finally coming together. No more internet computers that don't work, no more missing computers in the children's room. No slow downs as more and more people view high bandwidth sites. We think you will enjoy it.
And finally, don't forget the Weekly Author Series celebrating the Library's 50th Anniversary year. Held every Friday, sometimes at Noon, sometimes at 4 PM and sometimes at 6 PM, these presentations feature local, regional, national and children's authors speaking about their work and the process of writing they employ. The one's already held have been very popular. Check the Library's events calendar online or pick up a bookmark for the series when you visit the Library next.
