Math is not everyone’s favorite subject but who can resist tossing around some statistics when facts are so wild! Such as ten percent of the world’s population dreams solely in black and white. That means those dreamers are forever stuck in the sepia-toned Kansas of The Wizard of Oz, while the other ninety percent are walking down a yellow brick road in the technicolor wonderland of Oz.
Or did you know that only ten percent of the Sahara Desert is actually covered in sand? The rest of it…Just a bunch of rocks! Any cat lovers in the house? Well, apparently only ten percent of your kitty’s meows are meant for other kitties, the rest are meant for you! And finally, only ten percent of the public libraries in the entire country are non-profits and guess what? Community Library Sedona is one of those rarities!
A nonprofit library operates independently as a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning it is governed by a Board of Directors and relies on a mix of funding sources, including local and national government grants, designated county tax dollars, foundation grants, donations through fundraising efforts and planned giving, such as bequests. While a large portion of our revenue comes from government support, we must actively raise additional funds to maintain our services, expand programing, and ensure our library continues to serve the community at the highest level.
So, what does all this mean? It means that this is a community library—built by the community, for the community and supported by the community. This year we are happy to announce that a very generous match has been made to boost our Library Giving Day fundraising efforts! Wait, when is Library Giving Day? Our Library Giving Day is celebrated ALL month! This means you have all month to make a one-time gift or start a recurring donation and double its impact! Bam! Your twenty-five-dollar donation just became fifty! Your fifty-dollar donation became one hundred! And bam! Those doubled donations just secured yoga classes on the calendar!
The library’s commitment to an impeccable catalog of books, DVDs, audiobooks and eBooks AND a jam-packed calendar of events is always at the forefront of the work being done. Behind the scenes grants are being written to help supplement funding, classes are being scheduled, new ideas are being implemented and of course, the books are hitting the new bookshelves.
Has one of your littles drummed with Harta or listened to Miss Marcia, or maybe (safely) pet a Gila monster at a reptile event? Have you participated in line dancing, Zumba, or found peace in Tai Chi? Have you celebrated Kwanzaa or Indigenous cultures, enjoyed a Sound Bath, checked out a hotspot when your Wi-Fi was down, or used Consumer Reports to make a smart purchase? Maybe you’ve started learning a new language with Mango, shared coffee with a friend on the Commons, toasted a marshmallow at the fire pit, or enjoyed a taco, climbed a rock wall, or gotten a caricature at the Get Loud event.
If you’ve experienced any of these moments, you’ve felt the generosity of a donor. Every opportunity, every connection, every experience is made possible by those who give. To our past donors – thank you for uplifting our community and for continuing your support. We ask you to continue the incredible work of expanding access and enriching lives this Library Giving month. And to those who haven’t donated yet—now is the time. Then the next time you lace up your dancing shoes or unroll your yoga mat, you won’t only be a participant, you’ll be a benefactor, a supporter, and a creator of opportunities in your community. Give today and be the reason these experiences continue to thrive.
Now that you’re committed to making your mark on the community, here’s how you can do it, go to CommunityLibrarySedona.org/donate or send a check directly to our Library Executive Director, Judy Poe, at 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. Even better—stop by in person to hand her your check, have a chat, and maybe even try something new! Your support doesn’t only help keep our doors open—it keeps opportunities growing for everyone in our community. Thank you for being a part of something bigger!
Sedona Public Library DBA Community Library Sedona is also a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts and support, just like the Friends’ contributions, allow us to provide a plethora of services and programs for the community, for free, all year long. Visit communitylibrarysedona.org/donate to make an online gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for April 4, 2025, by Tasha Spuches, Assistant Director
