Do you have so many digital photos saved on your Mac’s hard drive that you can’t find the right one when you need it? Explore the many ways to organize your collection by taking our next iPhoto class in the Downtown Library’s computer lab. Registration is required.

iPhoto is just one of the growing number of computer classes available for Mac based software. Check our computer class listing or our computer class brochure for dates and times.

If your book group has trouble getting enough copies for every member to read, the discussion is lackluster from time to time, or you're hard pressed for time reading the book--let alone researching author information and books reviews: The AADL's new service Book Clubs To Go is the answer.

In each of our attractively packaged Book Clubs to Go kits you will find:

* 10 copies of the book (many literary award winners and some in large print format)
* Book reviews and an author biography
* A list of thoughtful discussion questions (Believe me, our staff labored over these so you don't have to!)
* A list of "read alikes"
* and some helpful Book Group Tips to revive, revamp and revitalize any book group.

The kits circulate for 6 weeks and may be picked up at all library locations. Holds should be placed by a representative of the group.

Join AADL and YDL Sunday April 27 for Día from 1-4 downtown. There will be fun crafts for kids; storytelling (¡en Español!) & refreshments. We will feature the festive sounds of Mariachi Cora Jose Bueno so come on down! This event is for all ages to enjoy, and parking is free on Sundays. ¡El Día de Los Niños El Día de los Libros!

Are you happy with the results of your Google searches? Test your Search Engine Know-How on Thursday, from 1:00-3:00 pm, at the Malletts Creek Branch Training Center. Learn how to use search engines more efficiently and find out some tips and tricks for getting the results you want. Registration is required. Call 327-8367 to reserve a spot. (No charge for Library cardholders; $10 for non-cardholders).

Are you new to Ann Arbor or the USA? We would be happy to give you or your group a library tour. Call 327-8311 at least two weeks before your requested date. These tours can be very helpful for English language learners who want to utilize what Ann Arbor District Library has to offer, like My Account and our awesome Research Pages. We offer five types of tours including the Malletts Creek Green Tour and a Class Research Tour. Take a look and check out a book!

Looking to increase your visibility as an artist or an organization? AADL is currently accepting applications to exhibit at the Downtown Library from June 1 to July 20 in the Multi Purpose Room and 3rd Floor exhibition areas. AADL is always a busy place, and the summer is particularly exciting. Your work could be on display as thousands of children and their families sign up for our annual Summer Reading Game in June and would remain on display through the Art Fairs in late July. For more information, and to download an application to exhibit, visit our Exhibits page. The next application deadline is March 31st.

Interested in making a lasting difference in the life of a non-reader or English Language Learner? Washtenaw Literacy is always looking for one-on-one tutors and ESL Group Leaders. Come to a volunteer orientation to see how you can make a difference. The next session is Saturday March 22nd from 10-11 a.m. at the Ypsilanti District Library. On April 22 there's another orientation at 7 pm at Nicola's Books. Go to Washtenaw Literacy for their training schedule and other information. Washtenaw Literacy is the only agency in the county who offers free tutoring year round and they do marvelous work in an effort to enhance the life of our community members.

With the addition of the meeting room at the Pittsfield branch, AADL now has seven rental options available throughout the system. Check out the Pittsfield room setup, which can accommodate up to 96 people for lectures and meetings. Other meeting rooms, including one free space, are available at the Downtown and Malletts Creek locations. Read more about renting AADL meeting rooms, including rules of use, fees, and setup options.

The New York Times is offering a new service called "My Times" (http://my.nytimes.com) (currently still in beta phase). It's basically a customizable news page composed of various widgets that draw news from the New York Times or various RSS feed sources. If you're into this sort of thing, you should probably check it out.

Of special interest is the "Journalists' Pics" section. Here you'll find a variety of New York Times writers (neatly categorized by their areas of expertise) who will share with you their suggested sources. Blogging and the like is influencing traditional journalism more and more, so it's pretty interesting to see what sort of blogs traditional journalists read.

If you're not into this sort of thing (or don't even know what I'm talking about) but would like to learn more, then the library can help. We offer a variety of computer classes. In particular, there's a class on blogging on Feb 4th and RSS on Feb 20th.

If you have been thinking about writing your memoir, and are fifty or above, this is the time! Register now by calling 327-4560 for the free 8-week workshop, Reconstructing Life Stories, starting Jan. 17 at 1:00-3:00 (Group 1) or 3:00-5:00 (Group 2). Past participants praise social work librarian Sally Lawler for creating a comfortable atmosphere, where they feel safe to read their thoughts to the small group and to receive helpful suggestions and encouragement. AADL has several books that can help you start keeping a journal and learn more about how to write your life story.

Looking to get your career off the ground? Michigan Works! and ETCS have teamed up with Ann Arbor Spark in association with the Mega Partnership to produce Hot Shots—a series of opportunities for job seekers to meet up with employers from across the country. Attendees can view a sampling of available positions ahead of time, and browse the list of participating companies. The next Hot Shots event will be held at Vinology on Wednesday, November 28, from 5-7pm. Participants should register ahead of time at the Ann Arbor Spark website.

Polls open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6th. Remember, this election you'll need to show valid I.D. when voting. Visit the Michigan Votes website and you'll get answer to these questions and more: Am I registered to vote? Where do I vote? How do I get there? What type of voting equipment is available? Who is my city/township clerk? Am I eligible to vote absentee? Need to review the candidates and proposals? Visit the Washtenaw County Elections website and scroll down to the November election.

Find Strange Fruit in the ocean. Discover a ghost at the Michigan League. Visit Cube Hall. These are just a few of the hoax photos that were created by teens during our Photo Hoax workshop. See them on exhibit at the Ann Arbor District Library MySpace branch in our photo gallery. Did your gallery visit leave you hungry for more? Check out the latest entries in digital hoax contests on line. Or, learn more about the history of digital art in Art of the Digital Age. Whatever you do, get hoaxed!

What do you do on a football Saturday in Ann Arbor when you’re not interested in the game? Find a book, a new CD or a hot DVD in our catalog a day or two before the game, put a hold on it, and have it sent to a library branch near your home. Then you don’t have to travel far from home through traffic to find something you too can enjoy.

This month Proyecto Avance: Latino Mentoring Association, or PALMA, will once again begin holding English language tutoring sessions at the Downtown Library. PALMA is the brainchild of Cristhian Espinoza, a Spanish professor at the University of Michigan’s Residential College. The organization pairs UM students with native Spanish speakers in the community who are interested in learning English. Participants range in age from infants and preschoolers to adults, and many attend as families.

While PALMA currently has a waiting list, the library has lots of materials for patrons looking to learn English, from DVDs and CDs to books written specifically for adult English learners.

Please join us in welcoming PALMA back to the Ann Arbor District Library!