Check out some of the shakers, sliders and traditional noise makers, from around the world, in the small glass case in the Youth Department at the Downtown Library. The AADL Storytellers like to shake it up with these rhythm instruments once in a while. If you get inspired and catch the beat you can grab a pot and spoon and join in the fun with Tanka Tanka Skunk! by Steve Webb.

Science Saturday Workshops!
Questions about Science Fair Projects are coming to the Reference Desks.
Schools are planning Science Night Events.
AND the LIBRARY has Science Events planned in partnership with UM Exhibit Museum.
Keep your eyes on the blogs.
Science Fair Resource Night will be at the DownTown Library. There are Science Saturday Workshops at three Branch Libraries. The January Workshops are at Pittsfield Branch, at Malletts Creek, and at Northeast Branch.
Workshops are for ages 6-11 with an Adult. No younger siblings please.
Family Registration is requested.
Watch for more workshops in February and March.

We remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership in the 1960's and the African-American Civil Rights Movement. The following movies can be watched as a family, or a classroom, and illustrate important messages that can be further discussed. Ruby Bridges who "went to school and taught a nation a lesson."; Martin's Big Words; Rosa Parks And The Civil Rights Movement; The Rosa Parks Story.

We remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and African-American history this month. If you are in grade school and need report information, you can find articles to read in our website databases, such as this article on MLK in INFOTRAC Kid's Edition. Or this article on peaceful demonstrations during the civil rights movement.

Test time draws near again! LearningExpress Library can help you get ready. Join us in the Pittsfield Computer Training Center and take an e-practice test.

Make it a family event! Register to attend science workshops as a family and learn about the wonders of weather. Answer the questions: Why is weather different all over the world? What does thunder happen after lightning? How do meteorologists predict the weather? Call and register at the branch you would like to attend the workshop. Registration starts two weeks before the workshop and the program is for children ages 6-11.

Curious About Climate: Why Weather Works!
Pittsfield Wednesday, Jan. 24, 4-5 PM
Malletts Creek Saturday, Jan. 27, 10-11 AM
Northeast Saturday, Jan. 27, 2-3 PM

Stormy Surprises: When Weather Goes Wild!
Pittsfield Wednesday, Feb. 21, 4-5 PM
Malletts Creek Saturday, Feb. 24, 10-11 AM
Northeast Saturday, Feb. 24, 2-3 PM

Backyard Meteorology: Forecasting the Future
Pittsfield Wednesday, Mar. 28, 4-5 PM
Malletts Creek Saturday, Mar. 31, 10-11 AM
Northeast Saturday, Mar. 31, 2-3 PM

There's a Blizzard of NEW books at the library perfect for reading to baby. Shower them with Books and some day they'll read to you! My recent discoveries are Overboard! by Sarah Weeks; The First Day Of Winter by Denise Fleming; The Cats's Meow by Warren Kimble; Mommy Carry Me Please! by Jane Cabrera; Fly Little Bird by Tina Burke; Sail Away Little Boat by Janet Buell; Time To Get Up by David Milgrim; and Bebe Goes Shopping by Susan Middleton Elya.

Bundle Up those Babies and Bring them to PlayGroups. We Sing and do HandPlays and Tell Stories. We also Play and meet other babies. The next PlayGroup Program Series begins in two weeks.

Houdini fans will delight in the rush of biographies about the fascinating daredevil/ghost chaser/magician. My personal favorite is Escape!: the story of the Great Houdini by Fleischman,Sid, award winning author, who was enchanted with magic as a child and became a friend of Houdini’s widow. She gave him the never before seen photos for this book. Other new biographies of the infamous magician are Houdini: world's greatest mystery man and escape king by Kathleen Krull and Harry Houdini: a magical life by Elizabeth MacLeod

One Piece

Who will be the first to find the Pirate King's lost treasure? Join us as we discuss the adventures of the Straw Hat Priates in Eiichiro Oda's One Piece Manga. We'll make our own pirate flag and come up with our pirate names. As always Pocky and other snacks and drinks will be provided! See you from 7:00-8:30 at the Downtown Library...