National Friends of Libraries Week

Sedona AZ (October 11, 2011)
by Virginia Volkman, Library Director

October 16 – 22 is the fifth 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 to significantly enhance our services.

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 Public 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.

The Friends hold semiannual books sales that directly fund collection expansion as well as children’s and other community programs during the year. The books that are offered through these sales come from the existing library collection when they are no longer needed by the library and by ongoing donations from the community.

The schedule for this year’s Fall Book Sale is as follows:

• Preview Night: Friday, October 14, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  For Friends of the Library, invited guests, staff and volunteers.
• Sale: October 15 – October 23
  Sale open to the public during regular library hours Monday through Saturday and also on Sundays, October 16 and October 23 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Another Friends’ event that raises money for your library will take place next month. Festival of Wreaths is an amazing sale of handmade donated wreaths. Your support is invaluable and may be in the form of a wreath, table top tree, cash donation, or a gift certificate or other item for the raffle. The Preview Gala and Sale promises to be another fun and festive evening of wine and appetizers, musical entertainment, an exciting raffle and a fabulous cake.

Dates to note for Festival of Wreaths are:

• Drop off: November 11
  Sedona Public Library: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  SPL in the Village (Tequa Plaza Courtyard, Suite 102): 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Preview Gala and Sale: Sunday, November 13
  Sedona Public Library, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  Tickets are $15.00 each or two for $25.00
• Sale to General Public: November 14 – December 16 during regular library hours

For further information about the festival, please contact San Dee Kinnen at (928) 203-4363 or email sandee@npgcable.com.

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 visit the library website: www.sedonalibrary.org.

Members of the Friends Board are Charlene Lipka, President; Leigh Shafer, 1st Vice President; Mary Snyder, 2nd Vice President; Ellen White, Secretary; Donna Hawk, Treasurer; San Dee Kinnen, Festival of Wreaths Chair; Jawn McKinley, Trustee; Anne Smith, Trustee; Marlene Auburn, Trustee; and Gloria Woody, Trustee. A special thank you to the Board and all who support the library through membership in the Friends group.

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.