Virginia “Ginny” Volkman had never even heard of Sedona when she first interviewed for a job at the library back in 1978. But like so many visitors, she quickly became captivated by Red Rock Country. “It was just a wonderful experience. The people who interviewed me were so welcoming, and it just seemed like a great place to come,” says Ginny. So she and her husband moved from the Syracuse, New York area. She lived in Sedona for seven years. Her two children were born here. She made life-long friends. “The patrons were just wonderful and warm, and it was a wonderful experience,” says Volkman. “It was always a special place for me.” After seven years, the couple moved back to the East Coast. He went to vet school and she worked at a library outside of Philadelphia in Northampton Township, Pennsylvania. But Sedona was always in her heart. After 24 years in Pennsylvania, she returned to Sedona in 2009. She’s currently the library director at the Sedona Public Library and has had the job for 11 years. She’ll retire at the end of the year. Learn about her favorite books and authors, her favorite places in the library and what she’ll miss most about working.
SEDONA MONTHLY: Where are you from originally?
VIRGINIA “GINNY” VOLKMAN: I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains in a little town called Saranac Lake, New York.
How did you get interested in libraries and reading?
I always used libraries – I checked out recreational reading and nonfiction books like field guides to learn how to identify wildflowers and informational books for homework assignments and as a place to spend some quiet time. But I never thought of it as a career until I graduated from college with a degree in English and wondered what came next. I kind of stumbled on librarianship. I learned about what happens on the other side of the checkout desk from a relative who was a librarian, and it opened up a new world to me. I decided to get my master’s degree in the library field. I just kind of fell into it. I just love the idea of helping people. I am a person who likes to be involved with people and help people. And this was an area that I thought spoke to me – to be able to help people find just the right reading material, to find the right answer to their questions. So I came at it more from that end.
Did you remember instantly liking your first librarian job?
My first job was in the children’s area. I did story times. I worked with kids in school. I instantly loved it. And then as I learned more about all the other opportunities within the library field, I just kept expanding my interest level. When I came to Sedona for the first time, I did a little bit of everything because I was the only paid staff member at that time. I did children’s work and planning programs for adults as well.
What do you love about reading?
I love the characters. When I’m reading fiction, I love to be able to combine learning as well as being entertained. I am a fan of historical fiction. That’s a great way, I find, to learn more about a historical period or a place and put it in the context of a character or characters. So I enjoy just being transported to a different time and a different place when I read.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Some favorite authors are Michael Ondaatje, Colson Whitehead, Tracy Chevalier, and I’m currently reading “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. For a change of pace I’ve listened to “His Dark Materials” (a trilogy) by Philip Pullman, and Neil Gaiman’s recordings because he’s a wonderful narrator of his own books. I like fiction with a strong sense of place, especially series – I’m a fan of Louise Penny, Paul Doiron, Anne Hillerman and Mary Alice Monroe. My Arizona Collection picks are “Edward Bridge Danson: Steward of the New West” and “Vanished Arizona.”
Any career highlights you want to share with us?
Reading is an essential skill for success in school and later in life. I’m proud that we helped the Rotary Club of Sedona launch Imagination Library, enabling preschoolers to receive free books, and we continue to help get kids signed up for the program. StoryWalk at Sunset Park is another project I’ve been involved with that helps kids learn to read. The many ways that we’ve helped bridge the digital divide has also been important to me.
What’s your favorite place in the library?
The area by the fireplace is beautiful. We have full windows from floor to roof. Those big open beautiful windows. The area by the stained glass. We call it “the waterfall.” We have seating in that area. It’s a nice spot for people to meet and have casual conversations there. And of course, I love the Arizona Collection. There’s where the books about our local area live. Trail guides and learning more about the history of the area and identifying plants, animals, birds, all those guidebooks that are there that helped me and help me help other people to know about where we live. The children’s room – it’s a joy to watch the kids during story times.
Why are libraries important?
It’s the community’s meeting place. It’s open to everyone, and I think that’s so important. The whole age span from babies to aging seniors. And the opportunities that we offer to people throughout their lives is so important and for people who might not be able to afford to get reading material or computer access. It’s amazing how many people who can easily afford to buy materials still come and use the library because of the shared experience … In fact, when we were in Sedona and my son was a preschooler, one of the people I met, who came to the library with her preschooler who was just about the same age as my son. We kept friends, and we’re friends to this day. When I moved back to Sedona we picked up where we left off. It was a wonderful experience.
What makes this city unique?
People who are retired and have the opportunity to volunteer make the community a different town. We depend on volunteers in this city more than other places. And our connection to the outdoors. It’s great. Most of us who live here are here because we love the climate. We love the opportunities we have to hike and just being outdoors.
What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?
I hike in the cooler weather. Some of my favorite trails are Thunder Mountain and Sugarloaf. I walk that regularly. Those are my neighborhood trails. My favorite loop trail is Soldiers Pass – Brins Mesa. Going to Red Rock State Park is one of my favorite things. I can always find a place to park. It’s just a place where I know all the trails. You can do a little trail or you can do a long hike, and you’ve got the creek. And in the spring, any trail with wildflowers in bloom. And I swim at the community pool up at Posse Grounds.
Why retire now?
My goal was to work until I turned 70 to enjoy more time for leisure activities, travel and visiting my family. I turn 70 in November, so retiring at the end of 2020 seemed like good timing. I never imagined that my last months of work would be so different because of the pandemic.
What do you think you’ll miss most about working?
I’ll miss the people who I see regularly, the staff, board members, the patrons who come in on a regular basis. You really do get to know a lot of people in the course of working with the community.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I appreciate all the times that I’ve worked with the community. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be the library director.
