Si Birch Community Room events at the Sedona Public Library

by Virginia Volkman, Director

SEDONA, AZ (November 13, 2009) - I previously worked as Sedona Public Library Director when the library was located on Jordan Road in Uptown Sedona.  While the current building is new to me, it’s been 15 years since the doors opened at the White Bear Road location to begin a new chapter in the library’s 51 year history.

I’m impressed with the spaciousness and outstanding design of the library.  It still amazes me that this incredible building exists due to the community’s private support and the donations of labor and materials by local businesses and organizations.  No government money was used to build this extraordinary building that is used by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

I’m especially impressed with the Si Birch Community Room.  The programs that take place there are varied in content from music and lectures to meetings of community organizations.  In the Jordan Road location I recall having to schedule summer programs for children out in the parking lot because there wasn’t a large enough space to gather inside.  The community room has enabled the library to become a true meeting place for local residents.

The Si Birch Community Room is used by many groups whose events are open to the public.  Some of these groups and their upcoming meeting dates are listed below.

Chamber Music Sedona has a mission to preserve and foster the appreciation of chamber music in its many forms by producing world-class concerts, and by presenting and supporting community music education programs.   Their community programs include a six-concert series called Free Chamber Music at the Library.  Two excellent concerts have already been presented.  Plan to attend the next concerts at 7:00 p.m. on these dates in 2010:  January 21, February 10, March 3 and May 5.

Sedona Gem and Mineral Club has its regular membership meetings on the third Tuesday of the month (September through May) at 7:00 p.m.   According to their website, “meeting activities include guest speakers with interesting and informative programs, raffles, displays, wonderful cookies, and camaraderie with friendly fellow rockhounds.”  If you would like to sign up to become a member of the Sedona Gem & Mineral Club visit their website or stop by the library for their next meeting on November 17^th.

Northern Arizona Audubon Society holds its meetings in two different places in Sedona.   In November 2009, and February, March and May 2010 the group will meet at the library.  In January and April 2010 they’ll meet at the Jewish Center of Sedona.  The monthly meetings feature presentations by guest speakers on a variety of wildlife topics.  Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome.   Andi Rogers will present the November 18^th program on the natural history and behavior of goatsuckers.  These nocturnal birds include Arizona’s Common and Lesser Nighthawks, the Common Poorwill , and the Buff-collared Nightjar.

The library also allows groups to use an area known as the Arizona Room (located near the fireplace).  Sirius Lookers is the name of the Sedona Astronomy Club that meets in this area of the library on the third Wednesday of the month and all are welcome.  According to their website:  “Our members range in expertise from beginner to professional.  Meetings are very informal, usually information sharing/planning and a bit of observing.  Don't feel you have to have a telescope to join us for a meeting or an observing session. Our members love to share the views.”  Also on their website is Astronomy Picture of the Day, where each day a different image or photograph of the universe is featured. Their next meeting is November 18^th at 6:30 p.m.

The library partners with a number of organizations to educate the public.  The Arizona Solar Energy Association, in conjunction with Sustainable Arizona, is sponsoring a free tour of solar photovoltaic systems on November 21^st between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  The public is invited to start at any of the six locations, where self-guided maps and descriptions of each additional project will be available. Maps and descriptions will be available in advance at the Sedona Public Library and online at www.SustainableArizona.org.

After visiting these solar installations or totally independent of the morning program, the public is invited to attend a weatherization and energy efficiency workshop from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Si Birch Community Room.  This open house will feature information about federal and utility programs, tax credits, rebates and incentives to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business. Come and meet the people who can help you get the job done.  

Finally, be sure to stop by the library on Saturday, November 14^th for National Gaming Day.  From 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. there will be board games for all ages set up throughout the library.  Tweens and teens (ages 10 to 19) are invited to play Xbox, Xbox 360, and Wii video games, including Guitar Hero and sports games, set up in the Si Birch Community Room from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.   Participants are asked to contribute a $2.00 donation per player.