Upcoming Events:
- Through Thursday, February 7: Annual Quilt Show during library hours
- Friday, February 1 through Thursday, February 21: Northern Arizona Watercolor Society Display during library hours
- Saturday, February 2 through mid-April: AARP Foundation’s free tax help on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
By Elizabeth Cate, Collection Development Librarian
Sedona AZ (February 1, 2013) – Offering programs at no charge to the public is a key service of Sedona Public Library. One of our longest-running free programs is our Monday-night movie series, also known as Flicker Shack. Most Monday evenings at 6 pm, we screen a film in the Si Birch Community Room. Films are not scheduled when the Library is closed for a holiday or when the Community Room is being used for other events, such as the semi-annual book sales.
At the beginning of this year, the host of Flicker Shack since 2009, Linda Schermer, “retired” from her post, and I was delighted to be asked to take her place. Linda generously volunteered many hours of her time each week choosing, promoting, and presenting the Flicker Shack movies. A film aficionado, Linda selected a variety of excellent movies over the years she served as host.
The Flicker Shack series at the Library has an interesting history that spans nearly a decade. The program was initiated by Steve Nahmanson, a city councilman and member of the Library board, in the fall of 2004. He arranged for the rights to use the name “Flicker Shack,” which had been the name of the movie house in Sedona for many years. He selected and showed films at the Library for three years, then stepped down as host to pursue other interests. Sadly, he died a few months later in a hiking accident.
Gary Dorer and Linda and Harry Schermer continued to show Steve’s selections until Forrest Parnell offered to host the movies, beginning in the fall of 2007. In the spring of 2009, Forrest relocated, and Dorer and the Schermers presented the remainder of Forrest’s selections through May, when Linda Schermer began hosting the Monday films.
In January 2010, Marcela Saldivia, Latino Services Librarian, began showing Latino-themed films on the first Monday of the month. She has continued this schedule to the present, screening monthly films originating from diverse parts of the Spanish-speaking world. All Latino Services movies include English subtitles.
As the new host of Flicker Shack, I’ve learned about the legal requirements of publicly showing a film. To comply with copyright law, we must obtain an annual public performance site license. Our licensing company restricts the manner in which libraries promote exhibited films in order to reduce competition with commercial movie theaters. For instance, we are limited in the ways we can announce the titles of films. To receive a list of upcoming Flicker Shack movies, including titles and descriptions, please send an e-mail to flickershackspl@gmail.com, and you’ll be added to our mailing list. You can also call the Library at 928-282-7714 to find out what’s playing, or check the monthly movie schedules posted on the Library’s notice boards.
My goal as host of Flicker Shack is to present films that appeal to the broadest possible spectrum of viewers. Of course, preferences are subjective, and I value your input. Please don’t hesitate to give me your feedback at the Monday-night screenings. I look forward to seeing you at the movies!
Sedona Public Library is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, supported by donations and grants. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336.