By David W. Keeber |
Sedona Public Library
Sedona, AZ - 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, attend 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
all 1.4 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!
Past Library News issues:
Sedona Library Archive
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