Saturday June 8, 2013: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Sensory loss is visible in the blind and the deaf, but what about people who lose their sense of smell?

Michelle Krell Kydd, editor of Glass Petal Smoke (http://glasspetalsmoke.blogspot.com), spent time talking to congenital and acquired anosmics to get a better understanding of how the absence of the sense of smell has affected their lives. What she's learned will inspire you to pay attention to a sense that is closely linked to memory.

Tuesday April 16, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

The Creature Conservancy returns for a more information-filled evening for teens and adults, with their wonderful collection of wild animals! This session may include a kangaroo, a kookaburra, an armadillo and an indigo snake. Here's your chance to see and learn about these truly unique creatures and get your questions answered.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12) and adults.

Terence Dickinson, editor of Canada's SkyNews magazine and author of the internationally bestselling Nighwatch: A Practical Guide to the Universe and The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995—that nation's highest civilian achievement award—for his commitment in popularizing the wonders of astronomy. During his visit in November 2012, Terence sat down to talk with me and Clay Kessler of Telescope Support Systems.

Terence discusses his long career communicating the wonders of the night sky to the public and the importance of discovering and pursuing his childhood passion. He also talks about the loss of dark skies; how to pick a telescope; and he recalls the moment he saw his first full-blown Hubble image of a galaxy.

Dickinson's latest book is 2012's Hubble's Universe: Greatest Discoveries and Latest Images.

Tuesday January 22, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

John Charles Simon visits to discuss his new book, "Why We Laugh: A New Understanding." The book presents a comprehensive explanation for human laughter -- every human, every laugh, every context, and every reason. Offering insight into laughter's most probable origin, this fascinating book answers difficult questions of laughter's contagious quality, our sense of humor, and what laughter says about us as individuals and as a species.

This event includes a book signing and books will be for sale.

Saturday January 12, 2013: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Have you ever noticed how the aromas from a perfume or certain spice can evoke a strong memory and association?

Allow Michelle Krell Kydd, a trained "nose", editor and writer of the Glass Petal Smoke blog lead you through a workshop that explores the sense of smell against the canvas of story, sound and vision. Participants will learn the art of "smell mapping," a tool that can be used to explore aroma and flavor!

For Grade 6 to adult

England's Sir Patrick Moore has died at the age of 89. For 55 years, the entertaining, monocled people's astronomer introduced viewers to the wonders of the night sky as host of the popular series, The Sky at Night, making this the longest-running TV series in the world with the same host. And oh, what a host. Moore delighted with his ill-fitting suits, his raised eyebrow, and his fervent discourses on astronomy, which he could deliver at 300 word per minute.

His passion began at the age of 7 with a book on the solar system. By the age of 13 the self-taught Moore was publishing papers on the moon's surface based on detailed observations made through his first 3-inch telescope. After serving with the RAF during WWII, he built his own telescope and made further detailed drawings of the moon which were later used by NASA as part of the preparations made for the 1960s-70s moon landings. A first book on the moon soon followed, after which writing took over his life. He produced some 70 books in his lifetime, including this year's The New Astronomy Guide: Star Gazing in the Digital Age.

Beyond astronomy, Moore held a deep passion for cricket and music - notably the xylophone, which he often played in public. And in one historic encounter, Moore played piano while his musical partner, Albert Einstein, played the violin.

Saturday December 8, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Polymers are long chains of molecules. We'll play with polymers and make slimy, bouncy balls and mock snow!

This event is for Grades K-5.

Tuesday November 27, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Bright Nights Community Forum brings Dr. Paresh Patel, of the U-M Department of Psychiatry and the U-M Depression Center, to discuss the neuroscience of a teen's brain and how its ongoing development affects the behavior and emotions of teens. A panel discussion and audience Q&A follows.

This event is for Grade 9 - Adult