University of Michigan's First Homecoming Queen

Wed, 10/13/2010 - 3:06pm by Debbie G.

We’ve come across many “firsts” in our work with the Ann Arbor News archives and just in time for the University of Michigan’s Homecoming on October 16th, we found an article on the U’s first Homecoming Queen, Christine Anderson. Considering that Wolverine football started in 1879, we were surprised to learn that they waited until 1966 to crown the first queen. Michigan trounced the Golden Gophers that year, 49-0. However, it was not a perfect Homecoming as vandals set fire to the parade floats.

The Peace Corps turns 50 on October 14

Sun, 10/10/2010 - 3:00pm by amy

The University of Michigan will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps with a variety of events during the month of October, including an exhibit at the Hatcher Library (running through November). Travel writer, Paul Theroux, will speak on October 13 at 7:00 p.m. and Tom Hayden, past editor of the Michigan Daily and founding member of the Students for a Democratic Society, will be speaking on October 14 at 8:30.

Also, the Downtown Historical Street Exhibit Program will unveil a new exhibit about the Michigan Union and the Peace Corps across the street from the Michigan Union. Get a sneak peek right here!

Ignite Ann Arbor 4: What should come to AADL?

Thu, 10/07/2010 - 6:09pm by eli

If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers. We consider geekery to equal passion, and that means food geeks, tech geeks, music geeks, art geeks, history geeks, and more talking about their passions. Ignite Ann Arbor 4 is coming up Tuesday 10/12 at 7 PM at Blau Auditorium at the Ross School of Business on campus. The event is free but seating is limited; don't miss this outstanding and entertaining evening of enthusiasm!

Doors open 6:30pm, event begins 7pm. Come early to guarantee a seat, and read on to see this year's lineup; be sure to leave a comment if you'd like us to invite one of these speakers to come expand their 5-minute talk at an AADL event!

Historic Michigan: Author appearance Oct. 5

Mon, 10/04/2010 - 11:11am by annevm

Here's a good book to take along if you're touring Michigan and might enjoy witnessing some of our state history: Michigan's County Courthouses, by John Fedynsky. The author -- a Ferndale lawyer and Michigan assistant attorney general -- wrote about 83 courthouses, plus the Michigan Hall of Justice. On Oct. 5 (Tuesday) from 7-8:30pm, he appears at U-M Hatcher Library, in the University of Michigan Press Author Series.

Washtenaw Literacy: World in a Basket

Fri, 10/01/2010 - 3:51pm by Beth Manuel

Washtenaw Literacy’s gala benefit “World in a Basket” will be held on the evening of October 1 at WCC’s Morris Lawrence Building. This year's Honorary Host is Devin Scillian. Tickets for “World in a Basket” are $85 & include beverages, strolling supper, and the opportunity to bid on some amazing auction items, such as Dominos Pizza for a year; tickets to a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show and gift baskets of all kinds. Proceeds go directly to Washtenaw Literacy. For ticket information, call (734) 879-1320

Follow a library on Twitter

Tue, 09/28/2010 - 1:31pm by manz

To tweet or not to tweet, it’s a personal choice. Perhaps you’re one of the millions who are following Lady Gaga or Ashton Kutcher. Or perhaps you're more into following local goodness like the Ann Arbor News or the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market.

October 1st is Follow a Library Day on Twitter. A day to celebrate libraries and let the Twitterverse know which libraries you love. Do you follow a library on twitter? Your own AADL has a twitter account, if you’re interested in keeping up with us. Or perhaps you’d like to show your love for the Canton Public Library, the Detroit Public Library, the Dexter District Library, or even the New York Public Library. Find your library online and follow it. Nearby libraries often promote their free public events on Twitter, so it’s a quick and easy way to see what’s coming up.

You can follow all the #followalibrary day buzz on their blog. Don’t forget to use #followalibrary as a hash tag! Which libraries do you follow?

Calling all filmmakers!

Mon, 09/27/2010 - 11:35am by flora

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is seeking applications for the 49th annual festival, to be held January 2011-February 2012. The standard deadline for entries is October 4th. All genres, styles, and formats are welcome, but films must have been completed no earlier than 2009. For more details and entry forms, visit AAF’s web site.
Not ready for this year's AAFF? Get some practice through another Ann Arbor film project, the Cinema Nightly Project, which screens local independent films right here at AADL!
If you’re more of a film connoisseur than a filmmaker, you can view a sample of past films in AAFF’s online media archive, check out the 46th Ann Arbor Film Festival DVD, or join us for one of the upcoming screenings in our Films and Discussions series.

Help Us Choose the Book for Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2011

Fri, 09/24/2010 - 2:25pm by shannon riffe

It's almost time for the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads to begin once again. This year, our selection committee has chosen three finalists for our theme: What Makes Life Worth Living.

The finalists are Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman, The Undertaking: Life Studies From The Dismal Trade by Thomas Lynch, and Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks.

We have plenty of copies in stock and we appreciate your comments and opinions on which one should be our official selection for the Reads. Check these books out and then let us know which one you think should be chosen by leaving a comment on the book's page on the AA/Ypsi Reads website. The final selection will be announced in October.

You may also join our AA/Ypsi Reads page on Facebook to receive the latest news in your Facebook feed.

Dawn Farm Education Series

Tue, 09/21/2010 - 11:48am by Beth Manuel

Tonight marks the beginning of the Dawn Farm Education Series for 2010/2011.The topic tonight is Addiction 101, presented by James Balmer, President of Dawn Farm. All programs are from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center The series lasts through June 2011. Print a copy of this flier and see the range of topics relating to addiction and recovery that will be presented in the series.

Performance Network: Sonia Flew

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 7:38pm by annevm

A preview of the play Sonia Flew by Melinda Lopez is coming up Thursday (Sept. 23) at Performance Network. The story, based on real events, was written by Melinda Lopez. It follows a young girl who in 1960 is among 14,000 children sent from Cuba in Operation Pedro Pan, through her adulthood in America. Ticket information for the show -- which runs through Oct. 17 -- is here.