Wednesday May 16, 2012: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

Need help with homework? Students in grades K-12 can get homework help at AADL, provided by volunteers for the University of Michigan chapter of Circle K. No appointment necessary - just drop by!

This event is for grades K - 12.

Saturday May 19, 2012: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

On this day devoted to Scratch, the people's animation art platform, polish up your Scratch lab project or get your home-made project working on an official contest computer, then start your awards campaign early!

All entries must be turned in and functioning by 3:00 PM for evaluation and judging.

Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art, and share your creations on the web.

A most elegant pizza dinner will be followed by the late afternoon award ceremony. You'll be in good company as we eat, drink and talk geek!

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

Saturday May 19, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

Learn the basics of the Japanese paper folding art and make animals and geometric shapes. Experienced paper folders are encouraged to join us to share your skills too!

This event is for adults and teens (grade 4 and up).

Sunday May 20, 2012: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Traverwood Branch: Program Room

Players of all ages and abilities are invited to play Chess! Chess sets are provided.

This event is for adults, teens and youth (grade K and up).

Sunday May 20, 2012: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

Learn how to make your own, personalized, custom string doll! Plan to use the entire time to complete your project.

This event is for teens (grade 6 and up) and adults.

Monday May 21, 2012: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

Need help with homework? Students in grades K-12 can get homework help at AADL, provided by volunteers for the University of Michigan chapter of Circle K. No appointment necessary - just drop by!

This event is for grades K - 12.

Tuesday May 22, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Award-winning, Detroit-area musician Ara Topouzian brings the sounds of the Middle East to this concert as he performs on Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments, including the Kanun (laptop harp) and the Duduk (Armenian oboe).

Ara Topouzian is an Armenian-American musician whose proficiency at the KANUN (Middle Eastern harp) has made him a nationally-recognized artist. The recipient of numerous awards, his music has been heard and sold around the globe.

Ara has performed in concert, at music festivals and many celebrated venues across the United States, with the top musicians in Middle Eastern music. His traditional musical style keeps to his Armenian heritage but also includes music from around the Middle East, as well as jazz, fusion, new age and blues.

This event is for adults, teens and youth (grade K and up).

Wednesday May 23, 2012: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

Need help with homework? Students in grades K-12 can get homework help at AADL, provided by volunteers for the University of Michigan chapter of Circle K. No appointment necessary - just drop by!

This event is for grades K - 12.

Saturday May 26, 2012: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

Join in celebrating the launch of Minecraft@AADL! We are hosting our own Minecraft server and we need you to help us build it.

Minecraft is a game about placing blocks to build anything you can imagine. At night monsters come out, make sure to build a shelter before that happens!

Be one of the first to lay the virtual bricks for this cool addition to your Library.

This event is for teens (grade 6 and up) and adults.

Wednesday May 30, 2012: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

Need help with homework? Students in grades K-12 can get homework help at AADL, provided by volunteers for the University of Michigan chapter of Circle K. No appointment necessary - just drop by!

This event is for grades K - 12.

Saturday June 9, 2012: 10:00 am to 11:00 am -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

The moths are coming to Malletts! Learn about metamorphosis and the upcoming Cecropia Moth/caterpillar exhibit when the Leslie Science & Nature Center staff members bring games, activities, and live animals! We'll compare different organisms and learn how adaptations help animals survive throughout their life cycle.

This event is for Grades K - 12.

Thursday June 14, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

A naturalist from Natural Area Preservation (City of Ann Arbor) leads a nature walk in this 34-acre woodland on Ann Arbor's north side. Learn about native plants and trees, invasive plants, ecological restoration, and lots more. Meet at the Project Grow Garden of the Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd.

This event is for all ages.

Wednesday June 20, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Parking Lot

Bring your ropes and rhymes for a jumpin' good time! We've got Chinese, Double-Dutch and standard jump ropes to share. Special guests, the St. Francis Heartbeats, will demo their skills. If it rains, we'll jump inside!

This event is for Grades 4 - 12.

Monday June 25, 2012: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

Meet live raptors from the Leslie Science & Nature Center. Explore feathers, skulls, and other raptor parts to learn about these airborne hunters and their survival techniques.

This event is for Grades K - 12.

Monday June 25, 2012: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

Meet live raptors from the Leslie Science & Nature Center. Explore feathers, skulls, and other raptor parts to learn about these airborne hunters and their survival techniques.

This event is for Grades K - 12.

Tuesday June 26, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Engineer a device to keep your egg safe from the big drop. Hope it doesn't break!

This event is for Grades 4 - 8.

Wednesday June 27, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Make a custom playground ball that can stand up to LOTS of kicking!

This event is for Grades K - 8.

Wednesday June 27, 2012: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Bring your telescope and meet in front of the Nature House at Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, to view the night sky with the University Lowbrow Astronomers and earn points for the 2012 Summer Game! The Lowbrow Astronomers will bring several telescopes to share - or check out a telescope from AADL's new telescope collection before the event. In case of cloudy skies, check aadl.org for updates. Cosponsored by the University Lowbrow Astronomers and Leslie Science & Nature Center

This event is for all ages.

Thursday June 28, 2012: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Make your own tutu! We will show you how and will provide supplies.

This event is for Grades K - 12.

July 7, 2012 through July 8, 2012 -- Downtown Library (Entire Building)

The annual Kids Read Comics Convention is held at AADL this year for the first time, uniting kids, teens, and adults with professional artists and writers from the field of comics and animation. Kids Read Comics introduces kids to worlds of imagination while unlocking their creative impulses. This 2-day event features: hands-on workshops; panels and presentations for kids, families, and educators; a chance for kids to meet and chat with comics and animation professionals; the opportunity for kids to have their own art portfolios reviewed; tons of special Summer Game badges and challenges!

This event is for Grade 4 - Adult.