Library News, by David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. I know, I know, nowadays it begins closer to the 4th of July, but that is not the point of this column. Rather, it is the act of holiday giving that I would like to focus on. In our great nation, we see this season’s gift giving not in its original form, that of the three kings bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, but as a measure of the financial health of our nation. Percentage increases in sales over last year, what those numbers forebode, whether we will survive as a nation with or without sufficient consumption at this time of year – it’s all a bit too much.
I would suggest that the concept of gifting is appropriate, both at this time of year and throughout the rest of the eleven months, but that we consider shifting our focus to more meaningful gifts. How about we consider gifting a skill, our time, our attention and concern for others through actions that speak from the heart, rather than from the wallet?
What I am talking about is the skill of, the love for reading. That would be a gift that would not end up in the landfill, or being re-gifted (unless the reader decided to pass on their love of reading). It is an essential skill for getting ahead, for being successful in life. One could hardly find a more appropriate gift with more meaning.
So how does one give the gift of reading? Aside from buying someone the books they will read, it is rather easy. It won’t break the bank as there is no hard cost to this gift. All you need to do is to read to someone who doesn’t know how to read. Share your skill, your love of reading and you will have passed on this all important tool for life.
Do you have a grandchild, a niece or nephew? Is there a neighborhood child that you might help out? Try volunteering at your local library, or school, or better yet, give some time to an area literacy center. Yes, that means training and time, but such a gift should be something from your heart and your time and talent, freely given, may well be the most precious gift of all.
Simply sit down and offer to read to that young child (although, at the literacy centers, you may well end up with an adult who wants to finally learn to read – so much the better!). Show them how much you enjoy reading. Ask them to read to you. Help them to understand what it is that has just been read. Teach them to be critical readers. Your time, your talents, and your love of reading will provide the very best example for the listener.
Now, I know, it is much easier to simply head to the store and get “something” they would like, using a minimum of one’s valuable time. We are all pretty busy. But, if a gift is to have real meaning, and not just help the economists’ projections, it should reflect some aspect of you. Reading is just exactly that.
Try doing this simple exercise. Ask your grandchild, child, niece or nephew, or an acquaintance if you can read to them. Ask them to select the book they want you to read. Then, as you lead them through the pages and adventures within the book’s covers, catch a glimpse of their face. If they are not sitting in rapt attention, eyes intently focused on the page, well, I’ll eat my hat!
So this holiday season, whether you are gifting for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwaanza, or any other celebration, be a bit subversive and spend your personal capital on the gift of reading. I’ll bet that it will be a gift you see used year after year!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Keeber's Kolumn
Library News, by David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: November 16, 2007
Wow! Last evening, Sunday the 11th of November, Sedona Public Library and the Friends of the Sedona Library held the Festival of Wreaths Gala and what a night it was! This year was the 9th such event and each successive year brings more wreaths, greater attendance and a more wonderful evening produced by the FOW committee. This year, they surpassed themselves in every way.
First of all, this year the number of wreaths submitted by members of the community totaled 160, including 39 from the third and fourth grade classes at Big Park School. That is a significant increase over years past. It is such a treat to watch the wreaths coming in during the drop off day. People are so proud of their offering and there are some really creative and fun examples of a pretty simple idea – a circle with some stuff on it! There are pretty ones, fun one (look for the wreath with the roundabout theme) and some truly novel ideas. Thank you to all the individuals and businesses that created and donated a wreath.
Second, the support the event received from local restaurateurs and wineries was amazing. The food was delicious and plentiful and the wines, examples of local vintners’ skills, were surprising. No one can say that our local wineries cannot stand with the best examples of this timeless art. We enjoyed wines from Echo Canyon, Javelina Leap, Oak Creek Vineyards and Southern Wine and Spirits Distributing. Restaurants that made the evening a success were Shugrue’s Hillside Grill, Pizza Picazzo, Heartline Café, Dahl & DiLuca Decadent Catering, Mulligans Grille, Wildflower Bread Company, Bashas’, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill and Bistro Bella Terra. If you frequent any of these establishments, please thank them for their support of the Sedona Public Library.
We also received support and donations from many local businesses and individuals in the form of raffle items. That list is so long as to be impossible to include here, but next time you are in the Library, pick up a brochure of that list and then please frequent their businesses as a way of saying thank you for helping out the Library. In fact, many of these businesses and individuals give extensively to many other organizations in Sedona and for that support, the entire community is better off. A very big thank you to all of them.
Lastly, SanDee Kinnen, chair of the committee that presented the Gala deserves many thanks for making the evening such a beautiful and successful one. Few who do not work on such projects can imagine what it really takes to create a successful event such as the Festival of Wreaths, but if suffice to say that it really is a year-long endeavor.
In the end, the entire Festival of Wreaths can be measured a success, both as the Gala evening and the sale of wreaths to the community. The funds from the Festival of Wreaths provides the Friends of the Library the wherewithal to support the Library, whether to purchase books and computers, or in any of a number of ways that organization has helped to make the Library successful. If you are looking for a great group to belong to and with which you can apply your creative skills for a worthwhile group, please consider joining the Friends of the Library. They are a great group and can use your help.
Such consistent support of the Library throughout the years by the community never ceases to amaze me. This place truly is the community’s library. Whether it was the original construction of the building (twice in the Library’s history) or the volunteers who help out every day, or the generous support of such events as the Festival of Wreaths or the book sales, Sedona loves this Library and helps it to succeed. Thank you, one and all, for making this such a great place to be!
On another note, the Library frequently gets requests for contact information for book discussion groups. We would like to build a list of such groups and request that if you have a book discussion club to please contact the Library with information about what sorts of books you like to talk about, how many members in your group, whether it is open, by invitation or a closed group, and whom is willing to serve as a contact person. Then, when people call us to ask, we have an accurate and up to date list. Please contact me directly with this information. Thank you.
Red Rock News
Date: November 16, 2007
Wow! Last evening, Sunday the 11th of November, Sedona Public Library and the Friends of the Sedona Library held the Festival of Wreaths Gala and what a night it was! This year was the 9th such event and each successive year brings more wreaths, greater attendance and a more wonderful evening produced by the FOW committee. This year, they surpassed themselves in every way.
First of all, this year the number of wreaths submitted by members of the community totaled 160, including 39 from the third and fourth grade classes at Big Park School. That is a significant increase over years past. It is such a treat to watch the wreaths coming in during the drop off day. People are so proud of their offering and there are some really creative and fun examples of a pretty simple idea – a circle with some stuff on it! There are pretty ones, fun one (look for the wreath with the roundabout theme) and some truly novel ideas. Thank you to all the individuals and businesses that created and donated a wreath.
Second, the support the event received from local restaurateurs and wineries was amazing. The food was delicious and plentiful and the wines, examples of local vintners’ skills, were surprising. No one can say that our local wineries cannot stand with the best examples of this timeless art. We enjoyed wines from Echo Canyon, Javelina Leap, Oak Creek Vineyards and Southern Wine and Spirits Distributing. Restaurants that made the evening a success were Shugrue’s Hillside Grill, Pizza Picazzo, Heartline Café, Dahl & DiLuca Decadent Catering, Mulligans Grille, Wildflower Bread Company, Bashas’, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill and Bistro Bella Terra. If you frequent any of these establishments, please thank them for their support of the Sedona Public Library.
We also received support and donations from many local businesses and individuals in the form of raffle items. That list is so long as to be impossible to include here, but next time you are in the Library, pick up a brochure of that list and then please frequent their businesses as a way of saying thank you for helping out the Library. In fact, many of these businesses and individuals give extensively to many other organizations in Sedona and for that support, the entire community is better off. A very big thank you to all of them.
Lastly, SanDee Kinnen, chair of the committee that presented the Gala deserves many thanks for making the evening such a beautiful and successful one. Few who do not work on such projects can imagine what it really takes to create a successful event such as the Festival of Wreaths, but if suffice to say that it really is a year-long endeavor.
In the end, the entire Festival of Wreaths can be measured a success, both as the Gala evening and the sale of wreaths to the community. The funds from the Festival of Wreaths provides the Friends of the Library the wherewithal to support the Library, whether to purchase books and computers, or in any of a number of ways that organization has helped to make the Library successful. If you are looking for a great group to belong to and with which you can apply your creative skills for a worthwhile group, please consider joining the Friends of the Library. They are a great group and can use your help.
Such consistent support of the Library throughout the years by the community never ceases to amaze me. This place truly is the community’s library. Whether it was the original construction of the building (twice in the Library’s history) or the volunteers who help out every day, or the generous support of such events as the Festival of Wreaths or the book sales, Sedona loves this Library and helps it to succeed. Thank you, one and all, for making this such a great place to be!
On another note, the Library frequently gets requests for contact information for book discussion groups. We would like to build a list of such groups and request that if you have a book discussion club to please contact the Library with information about what sorts of books you like to talk about, how many members in your group, whether it is open, by invitation or a closed group, and whom is willing to serve as a contact person. Then, when people call us to ask, we have an accurate and up to date list. Please contact me directly with this information. Thank you.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Keeber's Kolumn
Library News, by Amy Gill, Collection Development Librarian
Red Rock News
Date: November 9, 2007
Listening to Books is Cool Entertainment
Audio books saved my life when I commuted long distances in Los Angeles traffic and returned home late at night. There was no chance of my getting impatient or napping behind the wheel because I listened to terrifying, white-knuckle mystery and thriller books on CD or cassette to stay awake. I was scared stiff and, consequently, completely alert! Now, I’m no longer in L.A.; I get to live in beautiful Sedona and work as the Collection Development Librarian at our wonderful Sedona Public Library. As part of my job I have the pleasure of sharing audio books with the Sedona community. You can enjoy a good book while exercising, doing mundane chores or driving in your car. You might find an audio book will keep you awake on the way home from Phoenix.
Many library patrons have discovered audio books. Yesterday a library patron happily told me that they provide “pure entertainment” for her. Another library patron listens to books constantly while he does handyman work. He says he has continued his education and improved his attitude by listening to upbeat books. This hands-free entertainment gives us the theater experience of a book while still allowing our imaginations to roam free. And, once we start listening, we have favorite readers just like we have favorite movie stars. These books also empower us to listen at our own convenience. We can rest our eyes and read more books…what a concept! And, the whole experience is the ultimate for multi-taskers!
At the Sedona Public Library we currently have audio books on CD, cassette and “Playaways.” The thing they all have in common is that we listen to them and choose the format for listening that best suits our personal lifestyles and tastes. We have a large collection of new CD books in our library and can order others through the Yavapai Library Network. Sedona Public Library has also started a new collection of “Playaway” books and downloadable books are coming soon.
“Playaways” are books loaded individually onto battery operated devices, smaller than a cell phone. We can listen with an ear bud, headset or plug them into a speaker system while we go about our daily activities. I view them as a bridge between Walkman-like CD/cassette players and mp3 player/iPod-like devices. The “Playaways” have little buttons for stop, go, forward and rewind with instructions written in large print inside the carrying box. “Playaways” are a huge success in libraries across the country and they rarely stay on the shelf for long. We’ll be happy to help you try this new technology.
The Sedona community has varied tastes and interests, reflected in the wide range of our collection. We have biography/memoir, business, fiction/novels, foreign language learning, health, history, new age/metaphysical/spiritual, politics, relationships, self-help and more.
You can find our audio books near the Reference desk and internet computers. If you do not find them right away, ask for directions at the Reference desk. We will also show you how to find them in our online catalog or look things up for you.
This year we’ve added many thousands of new items to keep the Sedona Public Library current. Please come in and share and enjoy the collection created to enrich, entertain and inform the members of our community. You can check our web catalog from our new homepage at www.sedonalibrary.org.
The Sedona Public Library aims to serve you. We have a suggestion box at the circulation desk. Please let us know what titles and topics you like and what you want us to buy. You can also suggest a title online from the website. When you put your name and library card number on the request, if we order the item we will put on hold for you and you will be the first person to get it!
Amy Gill needs volunteers to help her refine the Library’s collection and displays. For more information please call Karen Greenwood at 282-7714.
This column is also presented on: Gateway to Sedona and Sedona Biz
Red Rock News
Date: November 9, 2007
Listening to Books is Cool Entertainment
Audio books saved my life when I commuted long distances in Los Angeles traffic and returned home late at night. There was no chance of my getting impatient or napping behind the wheel because I listened to terrifying, white-knuckle mystery and thriller books on CD or cassette to stay awake. I was scared stiff and, consequently, completely alert! Now, I’m no longer in L.A.; I get to live in beautiful Sedona and work as the Collection Development Librarian at our wonderful Sedona Public Library. As part of my job I have the pleasure of sharing audio books with the Sedona community. You can enjoy a good book while exercising, doing mundane chores or driving in your car. You might find an audio book will keep you awake on the way home from Phoenix.
Many library patrons have discovered audio books. Yesterday a library patron happily told me that they provide “pure entertainment” for her. Another library patron listens to books constantly while he does handyman work. He says he has continued his education and improved his attitude by listening to upbeat books. This hands-free entertainment gives us the theater experience of a book while still allowing our imaginations to roam free. And, once we start listening, we have favorite readers just like we have favorite movie stars. These books also empower us to listen at our own convenience. We can rest our eyes and read more books…what a concept! And, the whole experience is the ultimate for multi-taskers!
At the Sedona Public Library we currently have audio books on CD, cassette and “Playaways.” The thing they all have in common is that we listen to them and choose the format for listening that best suits our personal lifestyles and tastes. We have a large collection of new CD books in our library and can order others through the Yavapai Library Network. Sedona Public Library has also started a new collection of “Playaway” books and downloadable books are coming soon.
“Playaways” are books loaded individually onto battery operated devices, smaller than a cell phone. We can listen with an ear bud, headset or plug them into a speaker system while we go about our daily activities. I view them as a bridge between Walkman-like CD/cassette players and mp3 player/iPod-like devices. The “Playaways” have little buttons for stop, go, forward and rewind with instructions written in large print inside the carrying box. “Playaways” are a huge success in libraries across the country and they rarely stay on the shelf for long. We’ll be happy to help you try this new technology.
The Sedona community has varied tastes and interests, reflected in the wide range of our collection. We have biography/memoir, business, fiction/novels, foreign language learning, health, history, new age/metaphysical/spiritual, politics, relationships, self-help and more.
You can find our audio books near the Reference desk and internet computers. If you do not find them right away, ask for directions at the Reference desk. We will also show you how to find them in our online catalog or look things up for you.
This year we’ve added many thousands of new items to keep the Sedona Public Library current. Please come in and share and enjoy the collection created to enrich, entertain and inform the members of our community. You can check our web catalog from our new homepage at www.sedonalibrary.org.
The Sedona Public Library aims to serve you. We have a suggestion box at the circulation desk. Please let us know what titles and topics you like and what you want us to buy. You can also suggest a title online from the website. When you put your name and library card number on the request, if we order the item we will put on hold for you and you will be the first person to get it!
Amy Gill needs volunteers to help her refine the Library’s collection and displays. For more information please call Karen Greenwood at 282-7714.
This column is also presented on: Gateway to Sedona and Sedona Biz
Friday, November 2, 2007
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!
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!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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
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
Monday, October 22, 2007
Keeber's Kolumn
Library News, by Pamela Comello, Youth Services Librarian
Red Rock News
Date: October 19, 2007
Teens and Libraries
Teens and libraries seemed like an appropriate topic being that the week of October 14-20 is National Teen Read Week at libraries across the country. Teens that check out items from Sedona Public Library this week have the opportunity to put their name in a drawing to win a free book! However, I imagine Teens and Libraries may not be a topic to draw interest from the majority of our community. But, being the Librarian in charge of Youth Services, several articles I read recently definitely caught my interest, and some interesting research and findings that are relative to the present and future state of libraries I felt warranted sharing.
“Tweens” is a term that refers to early teens between the ages of eight and fourteen. In 1999, this age group encompassed approximately twenty-seven million kids and represented the largest number of this age group in twenty years as quoted from Barbara Kantrowitz in the Jan. 18, 1999 article “The Truth about Tweens” written in Newsweek. The article points out that these early teens are generally extremely well –educated, optimistic in their approaches to life, have expectations of going on to college, hold their parents as the most important influencers in terms of morals and life goals, and represent approximately $14 billion per year in spending power. A 1996 study conducted by the Benton and Kellogg foundations examined attitudes of potential patrons of public libraries. Some of their findings were warning signs to public libraries of the dangers of continuing with their current strategies and demonstrated how it is vital that libraries pay attention to the opinions of younger users if libraries want these individuals to become long-term users of library services.
In 1999, Elaine Meyers wrote “The Coolness Factor: Ten Libraries Listen to Youth” published in American Libraries. Described in this article were reports from surveys conducted of young people in an attempt to reveal their views regarding public libraries. Some of the research cited in this study and other studies suggested that many public libraries are perceived negatively by teens. Many of these perceptions were based on stereotypes held by teens or by stereotypes of what librarians think tweens think. Some of these stereotypes included perceptions that libraries are “unwelcoming and uncool” locations that store books, have long tables or dreary physical spaces and the majority of library staff is not helpful or friendly. However, the overall attitudes that early teens hold in terms of their view of the public library system shows libraries meet the needs of the vast majority of teens that responded to the study. Survey project leaders suggested “teens want a multiple-use library space offering both a place for quiet study and space to socialize. The majority of the teens surveyed said they came to the library to study, to do assignments, and to use the Internet.” Surveys also showed teens wanted more welcoming space, more access to higher-end technology, more help with their homework, and better books and magazines. Teens seem to respond positively to libraries that have addressed these negative stereotypes and updated libraries that have created inviting spaces and specialized teen areas and activities with places for teens to have social interaction with their peers or entertainment without disturbing patrons in other parts of the library.
In this digital age that we live in and with technology continuing to change, results showed that technology plays a major role in young people’s lives. Research demonstrated that young teens have not given up on older technologies, such as watching television or using VCR and DVD equipment to view movies or video game equipment, but they have added new technologies as they have come along, such as text messaging and IPODs. This is of particular importance in designing strategies for libraries, because if early teens are currently using technology to locate information, and if they don’t view the public library on their list as an informational source, then librarians must take new approaches and attitudes towards actively marketing their libraries as well as updating their strategies. In fact, the majority of early teen respondents reported that they use the Internet on a daily basis, like to surf the Web, and like to get e-mail. A study in 2004 done by Stephanie Azzarone, president of Child’s Play Communications found that teens in the U.S. spent approximately 16.7 hours a week on the Internet.
At Sedona Public Library, we use teen volunteers to assist with programs, shelve books, read stories to younger children, and design arts and crafts projects for pre-school storytimes. We offer programs for teens, and have fun and informative links on the teen page on the Library’s newly designed website. Last year, we hosted a database workshop for the entire freshman class at Red Rock High School. We have many current teen magazines, anime books, and fiction book series of interest to teens. We continue to strive to meet the needs of our changing and growing youth population, and we welcome new ideas and comments from youth in our community of ways we can better serve the teen population.
On another note, If you haven’t seen the exceptional photography exhibit by the Sedona Camera Club on display in the Library’s center stacks, be sure to come in to see it before the end of the month. There are dozens of outstanding photographs on display that you won’t want to miss!
Red Rock News
Date: October 19, 2007
Teens and Libraries
Teens and libraries seemed like an appropriate topic being that the week of October 14-20 is National Teen Read Week at libraries across the country. Teens that check out items from Sedona Public Library this week have the opportunity to put their name in a drawing to win a free book! However, I imagine Teens and Libraries may not be a topic to draw interest from the majority of our community. But, being the Librarian in charge of Youth Services, several articles I read recently definitely caught my interest, and some interesting research and findings that are relative to the present and future state of libraries I felt warranted sharing.
“Tweens” is a term that refers to early teens between the ages of eight and fourteen. In 1999, this age group encompassed approximately twenty-seven million kids and represented the largest number of this age group in twenty years as quoted from Barbara Kantrowitz in the Jan. 18, 1999 article “The Truth about Tweens” written in Newsweek. The article points out that these early teens are generally extremely well –educated, optimistic in their approaches to life, have expectations of going on to college, hold their parents as the most important influencers in terms of morals and life goals, and represent approximately $14 billion per year in spending power. A 1996 study conducted by the Benton and Kellogg foundations examined attitudes of potential patrons of public libraries. Some of their findings were warning signs to public libraries of the dangers of continuing with their current strategies and demonstrated how it is vital that libraries pay attention to the opinions of younger users if libraries want these individuals to become long-term users of library services.
In 1999, Elaine Meyers wrote “The Coolness Factor: Ten Libraries Listen to Youth” published in American Libraries. Described in this article were reports from surveys conducted of young people in an attempt to reveal their views regarding public libraries. Some of the research cited in this study and other studies suggested that many public libraries are perceived negatively by teens. Many of these perceptions were based on stereotypes held by teens or by stereotypes of what librarians think tweens think. Some of these stereotypes included perceptions that libraries are “unwelcoming and uncool” locations that store books, have long tables or dreary physical spaces and the majority of library staff is not helpful or friendly. However, the overall attitudes that early teens hold in terms of their view of the public library system shows libraries meet the needs of the vast majority of teens that responded to the study. Survey project leaders suggested “teens want a multiple-use library space offering both a place for quiet study and space to socialize. The majority of the teens surveyed said they came to the library to study, to do assignments, and to use the Internet.” Surveys also showed teens wanted more welcoming space, more access to higher-end technology, more help with their homework, and better books and magazines. Teens seem to respond positively to libraries that have addressed these negative stereotypes and updated libraries that have created inviting spaces and specialized teen areas and activities with places for teens to have social interaction with their peers or entertainment without disturbing patrons in other parts of the library.
In this digital age that we live in and with technology continuing to change, results showed that technology plays a major role in young people’s lives. Research demonstrated that young teens have not given up on older technologies, such as watching television or using VCR and DVD equipment to view movies or video game equipment, but they have added new technologies as they have come along, such as text messaging and IPODs. This is of particular importance in designing strategies for libraries, because if early teens are currently using technology to locate information, and if they don’t view the public library on their list as an informational source, then librarians must take new approaches and attitudes towards actively marketing their libraries as well as updating their strategies. In fact, the majority of early teen respondents reported that they use the Internet on a daily basis, like to surf the Web, and like to get e-mail. A study in 2004 done by Stephanie Azzarone, president of Child’s Play Communications found that teens in the U.S. spent approximately 16.7 hours a week on the Internet.
At Sedona Public Library, we use teen volunteers to assist with programs, shelve books, read stories to younger children, and design arts and crafts projects for pre-school storytimes. We offer programs for teens, and have fun and informative links on the teen page on the Library’s newly designed website. Last year, we hosted a database workshop for the entire freshman class at Red Rock High School. We have many current teen magazines, anime books, and fiction book series of interest to teens. We continue to strive to meet the needs of our changing and growing youth population, and we welcome new ideas and comments from youth in our community of ways we can better serve the teen population.
On another note, If you haven’t seen the exceptional photography exhibit by the Sedona Camera Club on display in the Library’s center stacks, be sure to come in to see it before the end of the month. There are dozens of outstanding photographs on display that you won’t want to miss!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Keeber's Kolumn
Library News, by Carla M. Felsted
Red Rock News
Date: October 12, 2007
As anti-hero Michael from The Office concluded in a recent TV episode, “Life and business are about human connections. Computers are about trying to murder you in a lake.” The first I am wholly in agreement with. The second may be overstated but bears a hint of truth. Computers can literally save your life, or at least enhance it, but using them injudiciously can wreck relationships and even cars, as Michael demonstrated by following onboard, computerized driving instructions too literally and hastily.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a computer that wanted to murder me, but have had reverse fantasies about bricks and monitors and even airborne mechanical parts (die fledermaus?) over my 30 years with these machines. Still, one of the greatest enhancements to my life and career has been the Internet search engine. I even like the term, as it conveys the image of something reaching out and grabbing information needed for my personal use or to meet the needs of our many library customers. My librarian colleagues and I do leave our keyboards from time to time and stroll over to just the right section and hand just the right book to a grateful patron, thus being a “human search engine.” For now I will dispense some advice to the readers of this column on using the computerized kind.
Google, of course, comes to mind immediately. In fact the very name of the company has been “verbed,” and is now included in the venerable Oxford English Dictionary denoting the use of that search engine to find a “person, place or thing.” Even the computer-shy are amazed by its utility. Artists looking for pictures have been greatly pleased when we at the Reference Desk have gone to Google Images, a feature on the main search menu, and typed in key words like “male angel” and pulled up dozens of examples to study for inspiration. For a frequently asked question about certain banded snakes, using Google Images and the words “king coral snake” retrieves pictorial representations of coral and king snakes, and some of the “ditties” used to remember the way to distinguish them.
Google Earth, a “virtual globe” program that allows one to view not just rivers and lakes, but the Grand Canyon or Mount Kilimanjaro in three dimensions, has been spoken of in an earlier Library column. A good place to start is choosing “Maps” from Google’s main page, typing your own address and getting a satellite view of your neighborhood, and quick directions and mapping to other places. Detailed information on all your options can be found from earth.google.com, including popularly viewed locations in 360 cities around the world and even “out of this world” wonders such as the Crab Nebula.
You can set up a free email account on gmail, waste countless hours watching Google videos, set up discussion/support groups on any number of topics, utilize a web page builder, start a web log or diary (aka “blog”), set up photo albums on Picasa, track the stock market in real time (even your own portfolio if you are brave) and shop for bargains on the aptly named Froogle. Google Calendar is invaluable for keeping up with the activities of the Felsted household. These treasures may all be found by going to www.google.com. Look for menu options other than simply typing in a search in the box; some are listed under “Other.” Google is the search engine of choice, or default, on many computer browsers now and is included on the SPL web site, www.sedonalibrary.org .
Somewhat lesser known but highly useful features for the researcher are Google Reader, for monitoring one’s favorite news sites and blogs; Google Scholar for articles in medical, scientific and other journals; and Google Book for viewing “snippets” of published works of fiction and nonfiction and, in some cases, front to back content.
In addition to the “900 pound gorilla “ known as Google, other search engines have survived major shakeouts and acquisitions and remain useful. Yahoo comes closest to it in popularity, and is followed by Ask.com (formerly known as Ask Jeeves) and Windows Live. All want to be your portal, or gateway to Internet resources. Each has its strengths and unique offerings, such as Yahoo’s Kelley Blue Book for assessing automobile prices. I found so many new features in Google while researching this article that I will have to deal with the other 3 search engines in a future one. And, in yet a separate piece, you will learn about the “new, improved” package of databases of articles, encyclopedias, images and other gems offered by the Arizona State Library offered via our Library web site.
Speaking of images, don’t miss the annual exhibit of splendid photographs by the Sedona Camera Club in the Library’s center stacks on display through the end of the month.
Red Rock News
Date: October 12, 2007
As anti-hero Michael from The Office concluded in a recent TV episode, “Life and business are about human connections. Computers are about trying to murder you in a lake.” The first I am wholly in agreement with. The second may be overstated but bears a hint of truth. Computers can literally save your life, or at least enhance it, but using them injudiciously can wreck relationships and even cars, as Michael demonstrated by following onboard, computerized driving instructions too literally and hastily.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a computer that wanted to murder me, but have had reverse fantasies about bricks and monitors and even airborne mechanical parts (die fledermaus?) over my 30 years with these machines. Still, one of the greatest enhancements to my life and career has been the Internet search engine. I even like the term, as it conveys the image of something reaching out and grabbing information needed for my personal use or to meet the needs of our many library customers. My librarian colleagues and I do leave our keyboards from time to time and stroll over to just the right section and hand just the right book to a grateful patron, thus being a “human search engine.” For now I will dispense some advice to the readers of this column on using the computerized kind.
Google, of course, comes to mind immediately. In fact the very name of the company has been “verbed,” and is now included in the venerable Oxford English Dictionary denoting the use of that search engine to find a “person, place or thing.” Even the computer-shy are amazed by its utility. Artists looking for pictures have been greatly pleased when we at the Reference Desk have gone to Google Images, a feature on the main search menu, and typed in key words like “male angel” and pulled up dozens of examples to study for inspiration. For a frequently asked question about certain banded snakes, using Google Images and the words “king coral snake” retrieves pictorial representations of coral and king snakes, and some of the “ditties” used to remember the way to distinguish them.
Google Earth, a “virtual globe” program that allows one to view not just rivers and lakes, but the Grand Canyon or Mount Kilimanjaro in three dimensions, has been spoken of in an earlier Library column. A good place to start is choosing “Maps” from Google’s main page, typing your own address and getting a satellite view of your neighborhood, and quick directions and mapping to other places. Detailed information on all your options can be found from earth.google.com, including popularly viewed locations in 360 cities around the world and even “out of this world” wonders such as the Crab Nebula.
You can set up a free email account on gmail, waste countless hours watching Google videos, set up discussion/support groups on any number of topics, utilize a web page builder, start a web log or diary (aka “blog”), set up photo albums on Picasa, track the stock market in real time (even your own portfolio if you are brave) and shop for bargains on the aptly named Froogle. Google Calendar is invaluable for keeping up with the activities of the Felsted household. These treasures may all be found by going to www.google.com. Look for menu options other than simply typing in a search in the box; some are listed under “Other.” Google is the search engine of choice, or default, on many computer browsers now and is included on the SPL web site, www.sedonalibrary.org .
Somewhat lesser known but highly useful features for the researcher are Google Reader, for monitoring one’s favorite news sites and blogs; Google Scholar for articles in medical, scientific and other journals; and Google Book for viewing “snippets” of published works of fiction and nonfiction and, in some cases, front to back content.
In addition to the “900 pound gorilla “ known as Google, other search engines have survived major shakeouts and acquisitions and remain useful. Yahoo comes closest to it in popularity, and is followed by Ask.com (formerly known as Ask Jeeves) and Windows Live. All want to be your portal, or gateway to Internet resources. Each has its strengths and unique offerings, such as Yahoo’s Kelley Blue Book for assessing automobile prices. I found so many new features in Google while researching this article that I will have to deal with the other 3 search engines in a future one. And, in yet a separate piece, you will learn about the “new, improved” package of databases of articles, encyclopedias, images and other gems offered by the Arizona State Library offered via our Library web site.
Speaking of images, don’t miss the annual exhibit of splendid photographs by the Sedona Camera Club in the Library’s center stacks on display through the end of the month.
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