The annual model railroad exhibit, presented by the Sedona Railroaders club, will be on display in the community room from July 30 through August 3. Popular with railroading enthusiasts of all ages, the display features several layouts running different scale trains.

The railroad exhibit is free and open to the public.

Over 150 summer reading program participants are reading up a storm! Our grand finale event happens at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, featuring world-famous Schemic the Clown and his marionettes.

Meanwhile, the ninth annual Sedona Youth Theatre Workshop series begins on Tuesday, July 10. The creation of local professionals Dev Ross and Shondra Jepperson, this workshop is designed for ages 10 through 17. Total workshop time is 15 hours and includes theatre games, learning and honing improvisational skills, practicing correct vocal and breathing techniques, understanding disciplines of stage performance, and building team skills and confidence. Thanks to support from Friends of the Sedona Library, the $85 workshop fee can be offset if workshop participants volunteer at the Library. It's a win-win! Thank you Friends! Call or visit the Library today to register.

Join us for a free screening on Monday nights in July at 6 p.m. in the community room. Please note there will be no movie on July 30 because of the Sedona Railroaders exhibit.

• July 2: Game Night, a thriller about a fictional murder-mystery game that turns into a real-life kidnapping.

• July 9: Love, Simon, a big-hearted drama about a closeted teen who finds the confidence to come out.

• July 16: Roman J. Israel, Esq., starring Denzel Washington in an Oscar-nominated role as an idealistic defense attorney.

• July 23: A Quiet Place, a sci-fi thriller focusing on a family who must navigate their lives in silence to escape mysterious creatures that hunt by sound.

Sedona Public Library is honored to be one of 50 libraries chosen across the U.S. to receive a grant for program development as part of The Great American Read. 

We are grateful to our community partners--the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the Yavapai College Sedona Center and the Sedona International Film Festival--who supported our application and will participate in our community programming. Arizona PBS also came on board and will promote Sedona's programming across the state. Additionally, Sedona has been selected by PBS as one of just two libraries nationwide that will have events photographed for the promotion of this national project.

Events will begin in the fall, so watch for further announcements and our display. For now, as the list of America's favorite 100 novels is available, all you need to do is read or reread some of the books. This is a great opportunity to pick up those classics or bestsellers you never had time for and join Sedona Public Library in The Great American Read!

What better way for Sedona Public Library to celebrate 60 years than to host a 60-themed writing contest for all ages! The only criteria will be that your poem, story, or creative nonfiction must include the number 60. Maybe you'll write a story about Lily and her 60 noisy kittens in the basement. Or a poem about your grandpa who lived at 60 N. Elm St. Or an essay that investigates the house fire that started with 60 candles burning in the dumpster. Who knows? Let your imagination be your guide! Prizes include publication on our website.

The contest will open on July 13, and the deadline is September 10. More details will follow, so watch our website and Facebook page for further information. Get creative and start thinking 60!