Great Museum Adventures

Wed, 11/05/2008 - 4:20pm by iralax

It’s always exciting to visit the wide variety of museums in southeast Michigan, but it's an easy choice as the temperature outside tumbles. The Ann Arbor District Library helps by participating in the Museum Adventure Pass program, which offers free admission passes for 2 or 4 people to regional museums. People of all ages enjoy strolling through the large spaces museums give to fascinating displays of art, musical instruments, scientific tools and ideas, dinosaur fossils, human artifacts and chunks of ancient earth. AADL has a great collection of books and DVDs about art, artists and museums for all ages. The Arts Alliance is a active group that provides information about arts in this area.

Learn More About aadl.org

Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:33am by MarilynG

Did you know you can register for Library computer classes online? Have you explored the many databases available via the web site? You can even pay fines online by using My Account. Learn more about the many features of the Ann Arbor District Library’s web site and how to put them to use by coming to an aadl.org class. There is no fee. Class size is limited. Register online, by visiting any AADL location or by calling 327-4560.

AADL Video on Demand

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 4:20pm by amy

We're always adding to our on-demand collection of past programs and other AADL productions. If you missed the panel discussion last month on depression in children with autism, we added the video yesterday. Other recent additions cover creating a green home, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and some awesome yo-yo tricks. Browse the collection for all titles--they're available in downloadable high-quality and ipod video versions--and subscribe to audio or video podcasts through iTunes to keep track of new titles added to the collection.

The Local Migrant Farm Worker

Fri, 10/17/2008 - 10:51am by Beth Manuel

Have you been to the The Migrant Project exhibit on the 3rd floor of the Downtown Library? The photos show the stark reality of the toil California migrant workers face in their daily lives. Locally, The Neutral Zone will display the youth perspectives that embody life as a Migrant Farm Worker. The exhibit is from 2:00-3:30 this Sunday October 19. There will also be refreshments. Donations will be accepted.

More to Observe in October!

Thu, 10/02/2008 - 11:49am by Beth Manuel

In honor of National Medical Librarians Month we wanted to point out to you one of AADL’s Select Sites. When you go to Select Sites from our website, click on Health & scroll down to Medline Plus Health Information for a comprehensive compilation of all things medical, including an encyclopedia, dictionary, medical practitioner information, local resources, tutorials and much more. The site is translatable in many languages and useful the world over.

Our Green Library

Fri, 09/12/2008 - 9:39am by iralax

Libraries are old growth green; all items in the collections can be used by anyone, then returned and used again. They're all about pooling resources to share information, entertainment, and more recently, to promote community dialog. At this time of greater ecological awareness, library architecture is going green too. The Ann Arbor District Library is modeling sustainable design in public buildings with three new branches built since Jan. 2004. Mallets Creek Branch was first with its passive sustainable systems and bioswales to filter impurities from rainwater before they sink into the watershed. In March 2006 Pittsfield Branch opened, built on a wetland with selective plantings of native species, solar heating, natural daylighting and convection cooling. On June 30, 2008 Traverwood Branch debuted with an innovative stormwater management system, rain garden, and the reuse of harvested ash trees from the building site. You can read about all these fantastic features, but the best way to appreciate the wonders of these spaces is to visit each one.

Book Sizzle

Tue, 09/09/2008 - 1:51pm by muffy

Want to stay up-to-date on books in the news? Want to know the latest movie adaptations? Then you would do well to subscribe to the monthly newsletter - Book Sizzle - just one of our new services.

When you subscribe to any (or all) of these 20 e-newsletters, you will receive monthly email newsletters with a list of carefully selected and reviewed choice titles to match your interest, whether it's with award winners, fiction preview (so you could be at the front of the waiting lists!), mystery, science fiction and fantasy, business, or science and nature. Check out the Teen Scene and the Children's Chapter Books for the young readers in your family.

There is even one for audio books.

For book groups - book club choices will give you ideas for great discussions.

Book Clubs To Go Kits

Tue, 09/09/2008 - 10:08am by muffy

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

For those books-to-film titles, we have included DVDs to enhance your discussion. Some kits contain two titles to be discussed in tandem. More titles are being added to the collection every week.

Homework help at AADL

Mon, 09/08/2008 - 4:37pm by sherlonya

Beginning this Wednesday, September 10, 2008, the Ann Arbor District Library will be partnering with the University of Michigan’s Circle K chapter to provide free homework help for school-aged children and teenagers. Circle K is an international service organization sponsored by Kiwanis International. College student volunteers will be available on Wednesdays, 4:00-8:00 PM, in the Downtown Youth Story Corner for drop-in homework help.

Additionally, AADL offers homework help through Brainfuse, an online resource that provides free, one-on-one homework help and skills building. This service is available between the hours of 2:00PM and 11:00PM, seven days a week. You may access this product remotely or at any of our locations.

Get Homework Help with a Live Tutor

Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:29am by amy

The Library is pleased to offer Brainfuse, a new online tutoring service that matches students with a live tutor for personalized homework help. Just log on to chat one-on-one with a tutor in real time for individual help answering homework questions, building skills in specific subject areas, or writing a better research paper. Tutors (including Spanish-speakers) are available from 2-11 p.m. 7 days a week and help is available for all students, from elementary school through high school and beyond. No appointment is necessary.