graffiti 07 hot sun

Heat and humidity didn't prevent 28 painters participating in the Teen Graffiti Contest this year! The exhibit of all prints will be on display at the Downtown Library beginning July 27th and running through August 31st. An interesting array of styles and subjects, with everything from planets, landscapes, and free form, to a 'heart of pi'. Thanks to Curtis Sullivan, from the Vault of Midnight for judging this year!

1st Place - Andy Wu - title: Eclipse
2nd Place - Mina & Nika Hirzel - title: Snowstorm Zilla
3rd Place - Jacob Saalberg - title: Street Battle (Unseen)
Honorable Mention - Lillian Xie - title: Heart
Honorable Mention - Patrick Wan - title: 'PAT'

chess

Now's the time to learn some new strategies to improve your chess game. Join expert Jennifer Skidmore at the Traverwood branch on Wednesday, July 28, from 7:30 - 9 PM. She'll be demonstrating tips and then you'll have an opportunity to try out what you've learned with the other participants.

jeffw.magic

Everyone loves magic shows. And we've got two opportunities for you to enjoy a great magic show with Jeff Wawrzaszek. This local magician returns to the Library for two shows on Tuesday, July 27. At 2:00 p.m. he'll be at the Pittsfield Branch on Oak Valley Drive. At 7:00 p.m. he'll be at the Malletts Creek Branch on Eisenhower Parkway.
What a great way to enjoy a summer day!

Then try learning some magic tricks on your own with these books.

What is it about digging into an enormous box of junk that makes me so happy? I just spent a couple of hours at the fabulous Scrap Box. There, I met an old friend who is working on their new facebook page, dumpster dove and filled my trunk with junk for the Bizarre Bazaar and Swap-O-Rama experiments. Come one, come all!

Reading Room

The William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan is one of Ann Arbor's most fascinating hidden gems. Opened in 1923, the Library holds tens of thousands of rare and unique books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials documenting American History from the 15th to the early 20th century. From June 14th to October 10th, 2010, the library will be hosting a special exhibit showcasing some of its most impressive recent acquisitions. These items are used to explain how the library develops its amazing collection. History and library enthusiasts alike are especially encouraged! The exhibit is open to the public.

“Fine Tuning a Great Collection” is open to the public in the Main Room of the Clements Library Monday through Thursday from 1:00 pm to 4:45 pm. After September 7 the exhibit will be open Monday though Friday. The Clements Library is located on the campus of the University of Michigan at 909 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor. For further information please call 734-764-2347. E

Dolph Nature Area

Join Natural Area Preservation staff for a free hike through Dolph Nature Area. This is the only nature area to have naturally formed lakes, First and Second Sister Lakes. A staff naturalist will point out wildflowers, trees, and shrubs and talk about ecological restoration, as well as volunteer activities in Ann Arbor Parks, recreation opportunities, and responsible use of public lands. Plenty of time will be available for questions. Meet in the main lot off Wagner Road between Jackson Road and Liberty Street.

Dolph Nature Area Hike | Thursday, July 29 | 7:00-8:30 PM | All Ages

If your kids have ever been to camp at the Ann Arbor YMCA maybe they were lucky enough to fall under the enchantment of popular teacher, musician and storyteller Chris Weiss and his Robomunch stories. Chris is back in town for the summer and I can't wait to hear an infamous Robomunch story at the Downtown Library on Thursday, July 29th at 7 pm!

Pizza Party and Book Swap!

The 2010 Summer Reading Game is about halfway through. Do you need something new and exciting to read to finish up? Come to the Pittsfield Branch on Tuesday, July 20th at noon for a Pizza Party and Book Swap. Bring a gently used book of your own that you are willing to give away and you can swap with someone who has a title that you might want to read. And while all this trading is going on . . . everyone can have pizza for lunch! This is for children preschool age up through 5th grade.

For a good recommended summer reading list, click here.

graffiti 07 hot sun

Celebrate Art Fair and paint a masterpiece at the Downtown Library staff parking lot from 11 AM to 1 PM on Friday, July 23. We'll provide the paint, supplies, canvases and easels. Your canvases are 3 feet X 3 feet in size. Check out the art work from previous years. Three winners will receive gift certificates for art supplies from Michigan Book and Supply. Look here for techniques for creating your painting. Curtis Sullivan, the owner of Ann Arbor's Vault of Midnight will be judging this year. This contest is for grades 6-12.

aadl.org

Did you or a loved one miss the April 15th library event, Living Well with Low Vision, and the Science of Glaucoma? The event addressed current treatments for people with low vision and was made possible by the National Institute of Health and co-sponsored by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and the UM Health Sciences Libraries.

The event was filmed and recorded and is available online, see the video or listen to the audio. You may also request the audio recording from WLBPD. Just call 734-327-4224, email wlbpd@aadl.org, or drop by any library location.