Now through February 28, 2012 -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room Exhibit and 3rd Floor Exhibit

This annual exhibit features the art of students at the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor, kindergarten through grade twelve. The exhibit features student oil and watercolor paintings, drawings and mosaics. Of special interest this year is the work featured in the lower level display cases, including woodwork, handwork, and sculpture. Beautiful main lesson books, which span a curriculum that is unparalleled in diversity and richness, are also on display in the lower level cases.

In Waldorf education, the arts are an essential component of the curriculum, providing avenues for recognition and understanding of the world in which we live.

Now through March 13, 2012 -- Malletts Creek Branch: Exhibits

This exhibit features twenty-one local painters who have studied with watercolor instructor Jennifer Wolf through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Rec and Ed program. The group ranges in age from teen to octogenarian, and in skill level from beginner to advanced. Over thirty watercolor paintings are on display.

Over time, as students become more proficient in technique, they are able to explore subjects of personal meaning to them, including landscapes, seascapes, abstracts, botanical studies and collage works. Wolf explains the appeal of the group this way, "Regardless of age or skill level, a common thread in Rec and Ed classes is the enthusiasm for continuing to learn, the camaraderie, and a shared sense of adventure. I think those qualities are apparent in their work and hope it will inspire others to try something new and challenging."

Saturday February 4, 2012: 10:00 am to 10:30 am -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

AADL staff will read aloud stories that the whole family can enjoy together.

Saturday February 4, 2012: 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

Native Spanish speakers will tell stories and lead songs in Spanish for all levels of Spanish speakers. Even those with no prior Spanish knowledge.

Saturday February 4, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Acclaimed author Carole Boston Weatherford makes a special appearance in honor of Black History Month with a delightful mix of storytelling, poetry and prose. This event, for grades K - 8, will include a book signing and books will be on sale.

The New York Times best-selling author began writing in first grade, when she dictated a poem to her mother. Her first book was "Trees," which she illustrated with colored pencils and bound with staples at age eight.

Today, she is the author of 32 books of poetry, nonfiction and children's literature. Her book "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" won the Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration and an NAACP Image Award. She has also won the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, the Jefferson Cup, the Carter G. Woodson Award from National Council for the Social Studies and two North Carolina Juvenile Literature Awards.

Her books have been shortlisted on best or notables lists by the International Reading Association, Children's Book Council, Bank Street College of Education, Voice of Youth Advocates, New York Public Library and Chicago Public Library, Hornbook, Kirkus Reviews, Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal, and Nick Jr. Family Magazine.

Sunday February 5, 2012: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Welcome cartoonists Audra Furuichi and Scott Yoshinaga from sunny Honolulu, Hawaii via Skype as they discuss how they work together to create comics and run their business. Audra and Scott are the co-creators of nemu*nemu (nemu-nemu.com), an original online comic that has been running since 2006. The duo are inspired by not only anime and manga, but also strive to bring a touch of Saturday morning cartoons and Sunday funnies with a good dose of "small kid time" nostalgia to everything they do.

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, share, and network with other cartoonists.

Sunday February 5, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Traverwood Branch: Program Room

Make ferocious lion masks for Lantern Festival and be the talk of the Lion Dance! We'll have all the paper plates, ribbons, and other supplies you'll need.

Sunday February 5, 2012: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

Need help with homework? Join us for homework help for K-12 students provided by volunteers from the University of Michigan group Operation: Educate Children, a non-profit student organization.

Monday February 6, 2012: 10:30 am to 11:30 am -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

This is a time for babies up to 24 months and their grown-ups to gather and play. The Library will provide the space and a variety of toys.

Each playgroup includes 15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.

No older siblings, please.

Monday February 6, 2012: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Washtenaw Literacy's ESL groups focus on speaking and listening skills for adults in an informal, relaxed setting. TOEFL preparation is also available.

Monday February 6, 2012: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Training Center

Enter & edit data, format cells and use AutoFill, AutoFit, and AutoSum. Basic computer and mouse experience is required. class handouts Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Classrooms will open 15 minutes before the class start times.

Monday February 6, 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.

Monday February 6, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Do not miss UMS Night School: 90-minute "classes" at AADL through March which include introductions and discussions of each performance on the UMS Pure Michigan Renegade series and hosted by Prof. Mark Clague, Associate Professor of Musicology and Director of Research at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Each session includes a presentation by a genre expert, an interactive exercise to draw you into the themes behind the performance, and a takeaway reading to enjoy on your own. Sessions are designed to engage you both with the performances and with other audience members.

Session 2 will feature discussions of the January performances of Einstein on the Beach and The Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. The 60-minute introduction portion of this event will center on two upcoming events:

The Tallis Scholars, scheduled to perform on February 16 at St. Francis Of Assisi Church, have established themselves as the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music throughout the world.

Random Dance, appearing February 18 at the Power Center, is famous for incorporating animation, digital film, 3-D architecture, electronic sound, and virtual dancers into the live choreography.

Join us for this fascinating discussion and introduction to several Renegade events!

Monday February 6, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Traverwood Branch: Program Room

Join us for an open discussion of the book that is the focus of this year's Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads - "Born On A Blue Day: Inside The Extraordinary Mind Of An Autistic Savant" By Daniel Tammet. This discussion, led by Ann Arbor District Library staff, will examine this best-selling book, which is a journey into one of the most fascinating minds alive today--guided by the owner himself.

Daniel Tammet is virtually unique among people who have severe autistic disorders in that he is capable of living a fully independent life and able to explain what is happening inside his head. He sees numbers as shapes, colors, and textures, and he can perform extraordinary calculations in his head. He can learn to speak new languages fluently, from scratch, in a week. A 2007 poll of 4,000 Britons named Daniel as one of the world's 100 living geniuses.

His memoir, "Born on a Blue Day," was a Sunday Times (UK) and New York Times bestseller. It has sold over half a million copies worldwide, and been translated into 18 languages. Fascinating and inspiring, the book explores what it's like to be special and gives us an insight into what makes us all human--our minds.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: 10:00 am to 10:30 am -- Downtown Library: Youth Story Corner

Join us for stories and songs for listeners age 2 to 5 years, accompanied by an adult. Siblings are welcome.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: 10:00 am to 11:00 am -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

This is a time for babies up to 24 months and their grown-ups to gather and play. The Library will provide the space and a variety of toys.

Each playgroup includes 15 minutes of stories, rhymes and songs. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.

No older siblings, please.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: 11:00 am to 11:30 am -- Traverwood Branch: Program Room

Join us for stories and songs for listeners age 2 to 5 years, accompanied by an adult. Siblings are welcome.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Training Center

Learn basic computer terms, mouse & keyboard skills, and receive an introduction to Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer. class handouts Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Classrooms will open 15 minutes before the class start times.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Think you know your science? Would you like to become an actual scientist some day? Want to see how science and engineering applies to the real world?

Join us as University of Michigan students from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Proyecto Avance: Latino Mentoring Association (PALMA) present a this fun-filled science workshop!

This workshop will be full of hands-on science and engineering experiments along with cool, interactive demonstrations. Join us and explore the fun side of science and engineering. Be sure to bring your curiosity and energy!

This event is for grades K-5.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

If you've ever wanted to get a clear picture of your investments and qualified unbiased advice take this class! Get independent and trusted stock and mutual fund analysis, research and ratings.

Morningstar experts will give easy instructions on how to use their database. Then, practice what you've learned on our training center computers!