The library has a new children's language learning database called Muzzy. Currently there are 8 different languages to choose from: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian. You can use it at home or at the library. The Muzzy animated story and games are a captivating way for kids to learn another language. It was originally a BBC program so those from Europe may recognize it. Learn more about this database here. We also offer the Muzzy multilingual series (it includes a choice of learning English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and the separate traditional Chinese language learning version for checkout.

One of the most amazing organizations in Ann Arbor is the University Musical Society, which has been providing entertainment and education for more than 130 years. To learn more about UMS, check out our database University Musical Society: A History of Great Performances. This collection includes full text searching and browsing access to historical programs from UMS concerts, in addition to hundreds of photographs. Access to all our reference databases and resources is available at every AADL branch and from outside the library with a valid library card.To access the UMS database, go to the research page and from the Ann Arbor category, click on University Musical Society.

Morningstar Investment Research Center offers comprehensive information on thousands of mutual funds, stock performance on the three major exchanges, and data on hundreds of exchange-traded funds with current Morningstar ratings and reports. This database also offers user-friendly portfolio tools and calculators to help you analyze your investments.

Access to this and any of our other reference databases and resources is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. For access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access Morningstar, go to the research page, and select Morningstar Investment Research Center from the Investing category.

The Oxford English Dictionary is a great resource for people searching for the meaning, pronunciation, usage and etymology of English words. It defines etymology, by the way, as "(a) The process of tracing out and describing the elements of a word with their modifications of form and sense." Abbreviated "OED," the dictionary contains over 500,000 words from across the English-speaking world. Some of the content is historical, opening the door for you to trace meanings back through the years and centuries.

Access to this database is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. If you are an L-card holder seeking access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our database page and navigate to the desired resource.

A new legal self-help website, www.michiganlegalhelp.org offers information and many resources for Michigan residents who need to represent themselves in simple civil legal matters. The Michigan Legal Help website is part of a pilot project overseen by the Solutions on Self-Help Task Force. The website was created to make legal information easier to understand and to show people how to navigate the court system properly and efficiently. The website can also help users look for a lawyer or legal self-help center in their area if they need more assistance. Visit www.michiganlegalhelp.org to view the website and learn more about it's tools for civil legal self-help in Michigan.

Back in April we celebrated as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) released the 1940 census records for the "Greatest Generation" to the public. Every ten years since 1790, the federal census has provided a snapshot of the American people. The 1940 census recorded that critical period in American history as the country was still recovering from the Great Depression and before its entry into World War II. After 5 months of intensive indexing, the census is now completely searchable on the two most popular genealogy websites, Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org. This includes ALL of the 48 states, as well as territorial censuses for Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, and American Virgin Islands. Hooray! One important detail to keep in mind is these two websites were indexed by different groups of people, meaning the results may vary - if you don't find who you are looking for on one site, try the other!

To access the Ancestry Library Edition, visit our Research Database collection at any library location and select Ancestry Library Edition from the Genealogy category. Ancestry.com is currently offering free access to the 1940 Census records online, and Familysearch.org is always free to the public. Clueless about how to start your family tree? Check out some of the genealogy books in our collection.

Tuesday | July 24th | 7 - 9 pm | Malletts Creek

Join us in the training center at Malletts Creek to explore the 1940 Census records released last April by the U.S. National Archives. Learn online research tools available at AADL and beyond. Can't make the class? Check out the genealogy resources @ AADL.

Recent genealogy books:
Mastering census & military records by Daniel Quillen
Hey, America, your roots are showing : adventures in discovering news-making connections, unexpected ancestors, long-hidden secrets, and solving historical puzzles by Megan Smolenyak
Genealogy online by Elizabeth Powell Crowe

Genealogy videos:
Who do you think you are?
Faces of America

Genealogy magazine: Family tree magazine

Registration is not required. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and the rooms open 15 minutes before the classes begin. Check out the complete computer class schedule.

HEY! You found a hidden something! And here it is: THESIXTHCENSUS

With a focus on the kindergarten to sixth grade age set, InfoTrac Kid’s Edition is an easy to use homework helper for youngsters. Students looking for information to include in an essay, presentation, or report have access to a variety of sources through this database. The main draw to InfoTrac Kid’s Edition is the constant access to online help in case users need assistance locating articles of interest. This is a must-see for kids new to database usage.

Access to this and any of our other reference databases and resources is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. For access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access InfoTrac Kid’s Edition, go to the research page, and select InfoTrac Kid’s Edition from the Kids category.

Several years ago, when a patron needed an image of the old entrance to the U-M hospital, we suggested he look in The Making of Ann Arbor. Eureka! He found a colorful postcard image and printed it.

Other researchers in The Making of Ann Arbor website find similar success as they search or browse through several image collections and full-text of books. Nicknamed "MoAA," this website was created through a collaboration among AADL, the Bentley Historical Library, and the U-M Digital Library Production Services. You can use it for research or just to enjoy browsing through a collection of postcards, historic buildings, advertisements, and maps of early Ann Arbor.

Access to this and any of our other reference databases and resources is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. For access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access The Making of Ann Arbor database, go to the research page and select The Making of Ann Arbor from the Ann Arbor category.

Study for the ACTs! Practice for the United States citizenship test! Job seekers, teach yourself important career building skills that help you land that job! Students of all ages, improve your math, reading, and writing skills through easy to follow lesson plans! All this and much, much more is available to you through Learning Express Library. Make it your first stop on your educational self-improvement path.

Access to this and any of our other reference databases and resources is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. For access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access Learning Express Library, go to the Research page and select Test Prep from the subject listings.