Everyone's favorite suave secret agent, James Bond, is headed back to the big screen with the upcoming release of Skyfall. The new flick stars Daniel Craig in his third outing as Bond, alongside a killer cast including Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem as the newest Bond villain, and Ben Whishaw in his debut as the gadget-master Q. The flick, which continues to dig into Bond's origins as seen previously in 2006's Casino Royale, has been receiving early critical acclaim as one of Agent 007's best. Opening in theaters everywhere November 9, Skyfall happens to come out exactly 50 years after the original Bond movie, Dr. No, which starred Sean Connery in 1962.

But before Skyfall arrives in theaters, AADL's collection offers plenty of ways to celebrate Mr. Bond's big birthday--and another even bigger 007 milestone. WhilJames Bond: Daniel Craig as James Bond.e Bond may be 50 in movie years, he's existed on the printed page for almost 60. Casino Royale, the original Bond story by Ian Fleming, was published in 1953 and is available via the AADL catalog. Fleming went on to write 14 James Bond books. His final one, Octopussy and The Living Daylights, was published in 1966, two years after his death. Fleming's series has been followed by numerous additional Bond books by authors including Jeffery Deaver, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, and Charlie Higson (who wrote the Young Bond series for teens).

And for those looking to get caught up on the movies, AADL has Bond flicks from the original Dr. No to 2008's Quantum of Solace. For true devotees, try the original 1967 film adaptation of Casino Royale, a wacky spoof of spy films with an all-star cast including David Niven, Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, George Raft, and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

The 1990 Oscar-nominated film, Berkeley in the Sixties (not rated) recaptures the exhilaration and turmoil of the student protests that shaped a generation and changed the course of America.

The film interweaves the memories of fifteen former student leaders - who grapple with the meaning of their actions - with thousands of historical clips and hundreds of interviews. Ronald Reagan,

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,Huey Newton, Allen Ginsberg, and the music of Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, and the Grateful Dead bring that tumultuous decade back to life.

This film directed by Mark Kitchell, received the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Documentary in 1990.

A post-film discussion will include a panel of current student activists responding to the film. Cosponsored by the University of Michigan Community Scholars Program.

Thursday, October 25, 6-8:30 PM @ the Downtown AADL. Grade 9 - Adult.

Award-winning poet Douglas Nicholas beautifully evokes 13th century England in his debut novel Something Red *, " a haunting story of love, murder, and sorcery. "

It was the coldest winter in memory, Mistress Molly, a traveling Irish healer must find shelter in the Pennine Mountains for her troupe before heavy snow set in. They sought refuge in a monastery where they first became aware of the presence of a mysterious evil force. There they met fellow travelers both humble and high-born, and soon realized that danger was lurking around them. Nothing was as it seemed, and the journey for survival was as magical as it was perilous.

"An intoxicating blend of fantasy and mythology, Something Red presents an enchanting world full of mysterious and fascinating characters - shapeshifters, sorceresses, warrior monks, and knights, where no one is safe from the terrible being that lurks in the darkness".

"Nicholas puts his flair for language and imagery to good use in his atmospheric first novel....A wickedly clever and evocative combination of history, horror, mystery, and magic."

* = starred review

Wednesday October 24 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room | Grade 6 - Adult

It's the week before Halloween! Paranormal investigators Motor City Ghost Hunters (MCGH) give a special presentation about paranormal investigations, technological advances, research, and some history of local hauntings.

They will present some of their best visual and audio evidence and share information on proper investigative techniques and available paranormal investigative equipment.

Based out of the metro-Detroit area, Motor City Ghost Hunters investigate throughout Michigan, as well as the country. Using scientific methods (and no cost to their clients), the team proves or disproves hauntings and sightings in residential and commercial buildings, as well as historical sites.

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

Look here to learn more about ghosts and ghost hunters.

If you find yourself often asking people to repeat what they just said to you, or if you are bothered by an airy ringing between your ears, you will find it helpful to attend this talk on hearing loss. On Wed., Oct. 24 at 7-8:30 pm, at Malletts Creek Branch, Ben Wightman, UM Audiologist, will discuss problems with hearing, how to preserve and protect one's hearing, personal amplification, tinnitus, as well as various assistive devices related to audiology. This event is co-sponsored by the UM Council for Disability Concerns as part of the Council's Investing in Ability Week. For more information call 734-327-4555.

Tuesday, October 23 | 6:30-8:30pm | Malletts Creek | Grade 6th-Adult

Come take a stab at hand sewing and jazz up your ipod, MP3 player or phone. Using colorful felt, embellishment items, and embroidery thread, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind cozy to keep your ipod or MP3 player protected with a handmade case for it. All supplies are provided, and we’ll have patterns and samples to get you going. Feel free to bring your device if you want to test out your design and make sure it fits.

To keep the craft going, check out some books on hand sewing or felt fun. See you there!

Russell Means, the Oglala Lakota Indian (Means said the designation "Sioux" was derogatory) whose controversial political activism on behalf of America's Indian tribes first became headlines in the 1973 siege of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, died today on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Born on Pine Ridge in 1939, Means' transfer to a nearly all-white California high school resulted in daily relentless bullying. First Means fought back, then he fell into alcohol and substance abuse for several years before getting his footing in 1969 at the American Indian Center in Cleveland, OH. It was in Ohio that Means met Dennis Banks, co-founder of the new American Indian Movement.

In 1972, Means and other prominent Indian activists organized a mass demonstration on Washington, D.C. to coincide with the election. The housing they were promised by the Department of Interior was rat-iinfested and overcrowded so the demonstrators took over the Bureau of Indian Affairs and renamed it the Native American Embassy.They were evicted four days later when they were promised that investigations of programs that were supposed to help Indians would take place.

Three months later, Means and 200 armed supporters began a 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee where, in 1890, the U.S. military massacred more than 300 men, women, and children of the Sioux/Lakota tribe.Several weeks later, Means went to Washington, D.C. to try to broker an end to the siege. He was arrested and jailed when he rejected the unconditional surrender offer. The remaining protesters surrendered on May 8th, 1973. Means and other principles talked about this action in the 2005 documentary Wounded Heart: Pine Ridge and the Sioux.

His 1974 trial for his role in Wounded Knee ended after seven months when the Judge dismissed all charges after it was revealed that a member of Means' own defense team was an FBI informant who supplied information to the prosecution.

In 1994, Means sought the limelight on the silver screen. He played Chingachgook in the 1992 move, The Last of the Mohicans. Means' autobiography, Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means, was published in 1995. He used this venue to rail against the term 'Native Americans' and the whole notion of Native American Heritage Month.

Means was just a few weeks shy of his 73rd when he died of esophegeal cancer.

Sen.George McGovern, decorated WW II pilot in the Army, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, of the U.S. Senate, and a two-time Democratic candidate for President of the United States, and a United Nations ambassador, died October 21st in Sioux Falls, SD.

McGovern, born in S. Dakota in 1922, had an illustrious political career marked by his unwavering commitment to progressive principles. He was an early and unwavering voice opposing the Vietnam war, an advocate for the eradication of hunger in the U.S. and worldwide , and always a champion for civil rights.

He joined the Army when Pearl Harbor was attacked and became a fighter pilot of great courage. When his plane was severely crippled by flak in December of 1944, McGovern managed to land the plane safely, saving the lives of his crew. A grateful nation awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1957 to 1961 and in the U.S. Senate from 1963 to 1981.

He ran for President twice; once, briefly in 1968. Four years later, he won the nomination of his party, but suffered an insurmountable blow with his choice of Thomas Eagleton as his Vice Presidential pick and with his unpopular opposition to the war in Vietnam. He lost to Richard Nixon in an epic landslide. He won just 17 electoral votes (Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.) to Nixon’s 520.

Sen. McGovern remained an active citizen of the world and a tireless force to push the Democratic party to strongly embrace principles of idealism and concern for the common citizen. He wrote several books; the last one, What It Means to Be a Democrat, was released last year.

Earlier this month, his family released a statement that Sen. McGovern had been admitted to a Sioux Falls, South Dakota hospice. He was 90 years old.

Sunday, October 21 | 3:00 - 5:00 PM | Pittsfield Branch

Join Dr. Darrin Karcher, of Michigan State University's Department of Animal Science, and learn about basic management and care of chickens such as brooding, nutrition, lighting, disease management and ventilation. He will also discuss the evolution of the chicken from Red Jungle Fowl (which is thought to be the ancestor of the domestic chicken) to today. This event is cosponsored by The Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor.

Dr. Karcher will return to Pittsfield Branch on Sunday, November 18 for a related discussion entitled The Eggs: What You Don't Know.

Look here for resources on chickens and chicken keeping at AADL.

Monday, October 22 | 7-8:30 PM | Downtown Multi Purpose Room

Give yourself 90 minutes to do yoga, relax, and celebrate womanhood. As women we dedicate much of our time to nourish others. Take this time to work out and pick up yogic tips from yoga instructor Victoria Duranona.