DAG is back

Fri, 10/02/2009 - 10:58am by amy

Watch out! David Alan Grier is on the move. Born and raised in Detroit, Grier attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and here found inspiration for one of his most memorable In Living Color characters, "Calhoun Tubbs," based on Ann Arbor's beloved Shakey Jake. Grier will be at the Downtown Library on Sunday, October 18, 2-3:30 p.m. to discuss Barack Like Me: The Chocolate-Covered Truth, in which he recounts his failure to become a Black Panther, his wish to become Obama's "Secretary of Mirth" and dishes about "Dancing with the Stars".

Fifth Avenue Fun!

Thu, 10/01/2009 - 4:27pm by StoryLaura

If ladybug had her way, she would never raise a wing to fly, she is just that lazy! One sneeze from enormous elephant changes all that. Everything is upside down and topsy turvy at next week’s storytimes on Tuesday 10 am and Wednesday 11 am at the Downtown Library.

Persian Family Culture Celebration!

Thu, 10/01/2009 - 4:24pm by iralax

Our next world cultures in Ann Arbor family event focuses on Persia. Young families with grandparents and everyone else are welcome to dance with Pouya Entezami and the Persian Student Association. Then we will mingle and enjoy delicious cookies made by Giti Sadeghi, followed by a craft using Persian rug designs for the children and their grown-ups in the Youth Dept. It's an hour and a half of learning and fun, so please join us at the Downtown Library lower level multi-purpose room, 2-3:30 pm on Sunday, October 11.

Just what the patient ordered

Thu, 10/01/2009 - 3:49pm by annevm

Recently a patron browsing BOCDs to take to a hospitalized friend decided to also check out Overdrive and the Michigan Library Consortium site -- to download audio books. One title that caught her interest was Banker to the Poor. To learn more about using Overdrive and the MLC site – how to find titles, manage downloads, and find programs for downloaded material – sign up for Overdrive Basics, an AADL class coming up Oct. 5, 7-9 p.m. at the downtown library.

Washtenaw Immunization Action Coalition

Thu, 10/01/2009 - 11:54am by iralax

On Monday, Oct. 5, 7-8:30 pm at the Pittsfield Branch, you are invited to attend a panel discussion on immunizations for the upcoming flu season. Presenters include doctors Diana Torres-Burgos, Laura Bauman and Holly Ross. Also speaking will be Zachary Yaksich, father of 5 year old Alana, who died of flu complications in 2003. He started Alanas Flu Foundation in her memory. This will be a great opportunity to hear the facts and have your questions answered by frontline flu fighters, in partnership with the American Lung Association.

(Un)Natural History: The Museum Unveiled

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 8:27pm by muffy

The exhibition (Un)Natural History: The Museum Unveiled on view now through December 6, 2009 @ UMMA, features Richard Barnes's series of photographs Animal Logic (catalog on order) that examines the role the museum plays in our understanding of ourselves through the acts of collecting, preservation, and display. Images from this large body of work include photographs of the collections from the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Comparative Anatomy in Paris, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and the California Academy of Science. (Un)Natural History focuses primarily on the natural history museum and by extension collecting institutions in general, providing a kind of behind-the-scenes look at museum practice and display.

This exhibition coincides with the University of Michigan LSA Theme Semester Meaningful Objects: Museums and the Academy.

Nigerian Gele Headwrapping Workshop

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 7:26pm by Tahira

The Traverwood branch of the Ann Arbor library is hosting “The Art of the Gele: A Headwrapping workshop for women who love to be beautiful” Saturday, October 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join the Niyah Company’s Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, a Kalamazoo based anthropologist and master wrapper as she highlights the history of wrapping in America and teaches participants to tie several styles of beautiful, exquisite headwraps for everyday use and special occasions. The interactive workshop shall also feature a “Headwrap Swap” for regular wrappers who would like to trade wraps with others. Sample wraps will be available for use, however each participant is encouraged to bring a 2 yard piece of fabric that they would love to wear.

October Gaming Weekend

Sat, 09/26/2009 - 5:53pm by dubaym

Like VIdeo Games? Come to the Ann Arbor District Library's Downtown Branch for our October Gaming Weekend. This Month is Round Three of the Smash Kart Championship Series 2009. The Smash Kart season continues with a special face-off on the day of the UM/MSU football game! Who cares what happens on the gridiron, can the smashers of Ann Arbor defeat the Lansing contingent? Come find out. We'll be battling the East Lansing Public Library online.We also have Rock Revolution on Friday Night and PL2:Public Library Pokemon League on Sunday Afternoon. So spend your weekend at the Library (No, you can't spend the night.)

Rock Revolution Rock Band & DDR Tourney
Friday, October 3 6pm to 9pm
All ages

Smash Kart Round 2 with special face-off
Saturday, October 4 12pm-5pm
Grades 6-12

Pokemania PL2:Public Library Pokemon League
Sunday, October 5 1pm-5pm
All ages

YOU THINK YOU GOT GAME? BRING IT!

Why Is My Computer So Slow?

Fri, 09/25/2009 - 1:44pm by shannon riffe

Did you miss Wednesday's program with Mateen Jaffer entitled "Why Is My Computer So Slow?" Fear not! We videotaped Mateen when he gave a similar presentation last year and you can view it here. AADL tapes many of our public events for showing on AADL TV on CTN or for inclusion in our Video on Demand collection.

Jolly Pumpkin Comes to Ann Arbor

Fri, 09/25/2009 - 1:31pm by katieh

Dexter, Michigan's Jolly Pumpkin, the country's premiere sour brewery, has come to Ann Arbor! Owner and brewer Ron Jeffries and the rest of the JP crew have been working steadfastly this year to bring great beer and fresh, fantastic food to Ann Arbor. Their beer list comprises classic Jolly Pumpkin sour brews both on tap (such as Bam Bière) and in 750ML bottles, of which I highly recommend Luciernaga. New to the brew pub are non-sour beers (the chocolate stout is delicious) and a gluten-free I.P.A. The simple menu is comprised of gourmet burgers, sandwiches, and pizza (topped with cheese made in house!) and everything can be made vegan and/or gluten-free. The Jolly Pumpkin brew pub is located at 311 S. Main, across from The Ark.

Think you have what it takes to make the next great brew? Check out our fantastic selection of books on brewing. You can learn more about beer, the ever expanding craft brew industry, and the fun, inexpensive, and highly rewarding world of home brewing.

Cheers!