Happy Birthday, Mrs. Betty Ford!

Mon, 03/16/2009 - 11:30am by annevm

Next month former First Lady Betty Ford will turn 91, and to help us all anticipate that, her former assistant press secretary will appear at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library at the University of Michigan. Patti Matson will talk about “Betty Ford: Strength in a Package Marked Fragile” on March 31 (Tuesday), at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Ford is the founder of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction and a Congressional Gold Medal recipient. You can see wonderful images of her life in our AP Images database.

Axis Coffeehouse This Friday!

Sun, 03/15/2009 - 5:16pm by Cherie Lee

March 20th is the 171st birthday of the Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen! And what better way to celebrate the birthday of a famous poet than by reading some poetry or maybe even a play? So come join us this Friday at the Malletts Creek Branch from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Michael Flynn's Ferrofluid Magnetoscope

Sat, 03/14/2009 - 2:25pm by shannon riffe

Try it yourself! Control powerful magnets and levitate a puddle of ferrofluid in this amazing hands-on exhibit in the Downtown Library lobby. The exhibit will be on display for through March 18. To learn more about Michael Flynn's work, visit www.FunExhibits.com.

Library patron Sean Patrick visited a few days ago and made this high quality film of the magnetoscope, set to the music of his local band, In Braille. We love it when our patrons are inspired by the Library!

There's Still Time. . .March 20th Entry Deadline for Short Story Contest

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 1:49pm by Bertha

Go ahead and put those finishing touches on your Short Story (minimum of 4 pages,
maximum of 10). The LAST day to turn in your story is March 20th/Friday by 9pm at closing time or, if you're emailing us your entry, you have until midnight! You can email your stories to allwrite@aadl.org
Guidelines are here. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in three categories: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12. "It's All Write!" features $1500 in prizes to be distributed among nine lucky winners. You can read the winning stories from last year. Click here.
Good Luck!!

Enchanted Spring, Fairies, Cicely Mary Barker & The Matthei Conservatory!

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 1:01pm by erin

We're all ready to get outside, but it's still a little too cold - so take your coat off and visit the Matthei Conservatory for the lovely, fun and springy Enchanted Spring Display celebrating Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies. Find fairies hidden in the conservatory, smell the hyacinth, dapple amongst the daffodils and other gorgeous spring bulbs all over the conservatory, and make a fairy sachet! Or make your own fairy container garden, and start some seeds for your own garden. This special display runs through March 31, for complete information on the display click here. And for complete details about the Matthei Conservatory including hours/location click here. On Wednesdays the Conservatory is open until 8:00 PM and admission is FREE! And don't forget that AADL has many of Cicely Mary Barker's Books Finally, make sure you visit the downtown library fairy door too!

Stories, songs of Latino women

Wed, 03/11/2009 - 11:36am by Maxine

Celebrate Women's History Month by attending a concert by Grupo Sur, a band led by Uruguayan singer, Cristina Burgueno. They explore different musical traditions, some folk, some popular, all representing the rich cultural traditions of women from Latin America. The concert is this Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m.

The Universe As Seen Through The Pioneer High School Argus Planetarium

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 11:50am by shannon riffe

Steve Schaffer, longtime Director of the Argus Planetarium, will lead viewers through a compelling presentation inside the oldest known public school planetarium in continuous operation in the US. This event is held in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which, this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover. Presentations will be held at 11:00 am and then again at 12:00pm on Saturday, March 14 at Pioneer High School.

Tales of the Tango With Tango Expert Mabel Rodriguez

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 11:38am by shannon riffe

It’s time to learn about the Tango! On Friday, March 13, 7:00 to 8:30pm, at the Downtown Library, Tango expert Mabel Rodriguez will discuss this fascinating dance and its history, complete with live Tango demonstrations.

Axis Coffeehouse This Friday!

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 10:15am by Cherie Lee

It's another Friday the 13th! But don't despair, there's safety in numbers. Come hang out with us this Friday, March 13th 6:30 -8:00 PM at the Malletts Creek Branch Library and hope the upcoming St. Patrick's Day luck cancels out the day.

What will you read? How about your story for the library's short story contest It's All Write! The due date is March 20th. Don't miss your chance for awesome cash prizes!

Learning Differences: What's in a Name or Label and How to Move Beyond It

Wed, 03/04/2009 - 11:42am by shannon riffe

Has your child dealt with learning differences in the classroom? If so, learn more at this panel discussion at the Downtown Library, Monday, March 9, 7 - 8:30pm. Linda J. Spector, M.Ed Learning Specialist at Ann Arbor Academy will moderate the discussion with a panel of experts, plus a student and parent.