By Virginia Volkman, Library Director
Sedona AZ (October 23, 2020) – This year, October 18 – 24 is the annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. Sedona Public Library takes this time to thank the Friends of the Sedona Library, who contribute so much of their time and expertise and this year has contributed $100,000 to the Library.
Our Friends group was started in 1964 and officially became a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation in November 1967. Donations and memberships are deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
The mission of the Friends of the Sedona Library is to support the Sedona Public Library as it strives to encourage literacy, lifelong learning, and the love of reading throughout our diverse community; to enhance the library’s resources, increase the community’s access to information and knowledge; to provide for a vibrant cultural gathering place, and cultivate a sense of public involvement through volunteering for the community.
For over 50 years we have depended on annual support from Friends of the Sedona Library. Thank you to all who support the Library through membership in the Friends group and who shop at the Friends Used Book Store, located next door to the Library on White Bear Road.
The books that are offered at the store come from the existing library collection when they are no longer needed by the library and from ongoing donations from the community. Donations of books are accepted at the book store during regular hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appropriate face coverings and social distancing are required of all customers and volunteer staff.
Special sales are going on at the store for the rest of October: Half-price on gardening, self-help and reference books; Buy One, Get One free for all fiction. And it was just announced that the BOGO sale on fiction will continue through November and December.
The Friends are kicking off the holiday season at the book store with special displays of books that feature holiday entertainment and decorating ideas, with a large selection of holiday cook books. There are also themed gift baskets that include an assortment of books and other goodies. You will also find ten-dollar gift certificates for your favorite reader, an assortment of puzzles, audio books, DVDs, music CDs, and blank journal books.
The store is also featuring special ornaments that have been creatively handcrafted by bookstore volunteers from recycled book pages. However you celebrate and decorate, the ornaments are meant to bring a bit of joy to any occasion.
To support the goals of the Friends, you are cordially invited to join. To do so, please pick up a membership form at the library or book store or visit the library website: www.sedonalibrary.org.
Members of the Friends Board of Directors are Mary Snyder, President; Anne Smith, Vice President; Ellen White, Secretary; Donna Hawk, Treasurer; and Richard Sauck, Director. We take this time to offer a special thank you to the Board and the volunteers who work at the book store.
Ellen White, Chair of the Book Store Committee, recently commented that “The book store could not be as successful as we are without the help of the 30 plus volunteers who keep the book store open six days a week.”
I know that the Sedona Public Library is a source of pride for our community. Our Friends group is a source of pride as well. I hope this week everyone will support this outstanding group.
