Blog Post
Expanded Eligibility for Step Forward Michigan
by monkk
Catherine McClary, the Washtenaw County Treasurer, announced that the U.S. Department of Treasury has approved expanded guidelines for the Step Forward Michigan program. Step Forward Michigan was funded in 2010 through $498.6 million from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and is administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Assistance is targeted to help eligible homeowners who are facing difficulties keeping up with mortgage and/or property taxes. Three programs are available:
Loan Rescue—Payment assistance for homeowners who are behind on property taxes, mortgage payments, or condominium association dues.
Unemployment Mortgage Subsidy—Subsidized mortgage payments for homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed.
Mortgage Modification—Permanent modifications for homeowners who have fallen behind with payments, or whose home values have slipped below the mortgage amount.
The Unemployment Mortgage Subsidy has been expanded to consider underemployment and to include self-employed applicants. The Mortgage Modification now considers higher loan-to-value ratios and higher mortgage payment-to-income ratios. Up to $30,000 in assistance is available per household. Funds are provided as a 0% interest loan with no payments required. Loans are forgiven at 20% per year as long as the property remains the homeowner’s primary residence. Interested homeowners are encouraged to start the application process immediately as the funds are expected to end next year. For more information visit www.StepForwardMichigan.org or call (866) 946-7432.
Blog Post
Winter work arounds
by Sunny29
Michigan winters can be tough, especially when it comes to staying in shape. So why not develop a good at-home practice before we get snowed in?! Yoga is the perfect solution for combating the winter blues, keeping your energy levels up and extra pounds off the scale!
The AADL collection has options for everyone; monthly magazine selections, reading materials to develop and deepen your practice, and DVD’s for those looking to work on flexibility, strength or improve your sense of self. You can even experience yoga IN your library! Keep an eye on the events calendar for future programs, and be sure to join us next week at the Pittsfield branch for a children's yoga class!
Blog Post
"Fast Company" Features AADL
by TimG
Fast Company, the award-winning national business magazine focusing on technology, business, and design, just released an online article about public libraries, highlighting AADL and its unique collections.
In the publication's Elasticity section, highlighting innovative businesses using the cloud and big data to stay in sync, the article Taking A Long-Overdue Sledgehammer To The Public Library describes how libraries are "lending tools you can't 3-D print -- awls, hammers hacksaws, mood synthesizers and human skeletons -- to keep pace with the times."
Deputy Director Eli Neiburger describes AADL's Unusual Stuff to Borrow collection and how "Ann Arbor launched its collection of objects three years ago with 30 telescopes. Soon, the waiting list grew to more than 100 people. Encouraged by the telescopes' success, the library added tools, giant-sized games, musical instruments" and more.
"Libraries have always been a place to access rare, hard-to-find objects." Eli states. "Commercial books aren't rare, hard-to-find objects anymore, so library collections are being used in different ways."
Blog Post
Career Fairs
by Sunny29
Fall is a time of change, and maybe for you that means a new career. The AADL has a Job Search Tool Kit to help you learn more about different careers, research salaries and find local job postings.
If you're interested in looking for a new position or want to learn more about branching out into a completely new sector, head down to the Morris Lawrence building at Washtenaw Community College. Starting this month, the WCC Career Services Department will be hosting a series of career fairs.
Upcoming career fairs are as follows:
Retail & Supply Chain: September 16th, 1-4 p.m.
I.T.: September 30th, 1-4 p.m.
Health Care: October 15th, 1-4 p.m.
Advanced Manufacturing: February 11th, 1-4 p.m.
Spring Fair: March 19th, 1-4 p.m.
Not a current student? No problem! Attendance and registration are free to all interested participants! Simply go to the website and create a registration account to learn more about events.
Blog Post
New Volunteer Center is now open at VolunteerWashtenaw.org!
by monkk
The new Volunteer Center is now open at www.VolunteerWashtenaw.org! This virtual Volunteer Center will connect people interested in volunteering with local nonprofits that rely on volunteers to achieve their mission. More than 65 agencies have listed more than 160 needs and counting on the new site. The site will accommodate individuals as well as groups, and will be provided at no cost.
The new Volunteer Center website makes it easy for people to find opportunities to serve. At the new VolunteerWashtenaw.org, volunteers can:
·Search the volunteer needs by scrolling through the full list or you can narrow it down to suit your preferences; key word search, interest area categories (such as education or senior citizens), by court-ordered appropriate, activity type (such as construction or mentoring), one-time needs, ongoing needs, group opportunities, distance, date, and more.
·Explore agencies that are doing amazing work in our community, from human services to animals to the environment to the arts. Learn more about what they do, where they're located and what needs they have.
·Easily sign-up for volunteer opportunities online.
·Become a fan of agencies or update interests in their profiles to receive notifications of new volunteer needs.
·Invite and register a group for a volunteer opportunity.
·Log volunteer hours to keep track of work for school or civic resume
·Share opportunities via email or social media at the click of a button.
·See other nonprofit needs: in-kind donations, advocacy and employment
·Browse Community Events that are happening in Washtenaw County.
It’s fast, it’s easy and it’s free! And to add to the fun and celebration of the launch, enter to win a Zingerman’s Gift Card now through Oct 1! Read more about the launch contest online.
If you have questions about volunteerwashtenaw.org, call 734.971.8200 or email volunteer@uwwashtenaw.org.
Blog Post
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month
by aadl staff
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Give yourself or your child one of the greatest gifts you can give: Free Knowledge!
AADL is full of books to read and explore, graphic novels and magazines to escape into, and movies and music to transport your imagination to new places. But that is not all! We have a growing collection of unusual stuff to borrow which includes music tools, home tools, games, art prints, telescopes, and activity passes for many statewide attractions, to name a few.
AADL also offers services like homework support and resources for job-seekers and small business entrepreneurs. There are also on-going, drop-in ESL conversational groups.
Getting a library card is a rite of passage; many adults have never forgotten when they first received "the keys to the castle" as a child. Maya Angelou, a great supporter of public libraries once said, "The best candy shop a child can be left alone in, is the library." And if you are an adult without an AADL card, remember, it's never too late! Stop into any location to get your card, there is no fee if you live within Ann Arbor District Library boundaries. To see the details of what you will need to bring, click here.
We would love see pictures of new cardholders with their cards. Tweet them to @aadl or share them on Instragram at @aadlgram and use the hashtag #MyFirstAADLCard.
Blog Post
Easy English News For You
by Beth Manuel
Are you an adult who is learning to read or is becoming an English Language Learner? AADL has a couple magazines that should get your attention.
The Easy English News is available at all of our branches. It contains current events written at a fourth grade reading level. It's written in a way to build your vocabulary and help you read for meaning. There's also News for You, which you can find at our downtown location or put a hold on a copy and have it sent to the location most convenient for you. Both publications have vocabulary words, puzzles and interactive websites. Spread the word!
Blog Post
Log On to Brainfuse!
by Beth Manuel
AADL subscribes to a live online tutoring service called "Help Now" by Brainfuse, also known simply as
"Brainfuse", and is available to anybody accessing it from inside any AADL location, or to cardholders from home or elsewhere.
There are several facets to Brainfuse that not only help with homework & study skills, but skill building and writing support.
Users can log on to Brainfuse to access EXPERT help in a variety of ways: live tutoring any time from 2:00 PM-11:00 PM except on Federal Holidays. Simply choose the grade or age level that suits the user’s needs, be it elementary, middle or high school, ESL or even computers and technology.
SkillSurfer is a learning library that contains thousands of lessons, quizzes, & tests to help users master academic concepts. Check out the STUDY portal and look at FLASHBULB, which is a library full of flashcards & self-tests for a huge array of subjects! Go to the COLLABORATE portal to schedule meetings with friends in their private virtual study rooms. There’s a writing lab where users can upload documents to a teacher and have them edit/critique their work within 24 hours. Brainfuse's "Send a Question" gives users the opportunity to ask a question any time of day and get a written response from one of their tutors within one business day.
Whether you are an English Language Learner, a student of any age or an adult trying to get back into the workforce, Brainfuse may have just the answer to your academic and technical questions.
Blog Post
Easy English News For You
by Beth Manuel
Are you an adult who is learning to read or is becoming an English Language Learner? AADL has a couple magazines that should get your attention. The Easy English News is available at all of our branches. It contains current events written at a fourth grade reading level. It's written in a way to build your vocabulary and help you read for meaning. There's also News for You, which you can find at our downtown location or put a hold on a copy and have it sent to the location most convenient for you. Both publications have vocabulary words, puzzles and interactive websites. Spread the word! There's also a 500 point code in the byline of this blog.
Blog Post
Let's Talk About MeL, Baby!
by Beth Manuel
We frequently refer patrons to the MeLCat when we don't have a book on our shelves that they are looking for; but I never knew about this awesome portal for educators till now. Developed and maintained by educators for educators, parents, and students, it is a one-stop collection of assessments, lesson plans, online interactive sessions, and videos, all aligned to the CCSS (Common Core State Standards) and the Michigan standards. Interested? Visit M.O.R.E. by clicking on the Teachers tab at MeL.org and register for a free account to be able to use all the tools available in the portal.