Draw Robots with C. Jason DePasquale!

Thu, 02/21/2013 - 10:25am by mariah

Beep Bleep Boop!

Do you love robots? Artist C. Jason DePasquale digs robots too! As a teacher and longtime robot fan, Jason has had plenty of chances to perfect his robot drawing — through his work with Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair and beyond!

Saturday, March 16, 2-3 pm, come to the Downtown Library and watch Jason draw some simple robots, get ideas, follow along, and create colorful robo-drawings of your own to take home!

Seusstastical Puppets!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 10:55am by manz

Saturday, March 2 | 1-2:00pm | Downtown Multi-Purpose Room | Grades K-5 with an adult

March 1 is Read Across America Day! "Now in its 16th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources." It's no coincidence that this special day happens around March 2 each year... Because that day is author Dr. Seuss' birthday!

We'll be celebrating the magic of reading by making Seuss character puppets. We've got all the supplies for the kids to make Cat in the Hat and/or Thing 1 and Thing 2 puppets. As always, it's a great idea to catch silly spirit by curling up with some of your favorite Dr. Seuss stories.

Snowman Bookmarks and Snowflake Crafts

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 7:17pm by Caser

Monday, February 18 | 1 - 2 pm | Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room | Preschool to Grade 3

Make a simple, but snazzy, snowman bookmark out of construction paper, beads, decorative punch out designs, and twine. Also, learn how to make a unique, 6-point, paper snowflake that you can use to create a beautiful winter scene.

The AADL has crafting books of all kinds for kids!

Film & Discussion: Broken On All Sides

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 3:05pm by Bertha

Matthew Pillischer, director of this 2012 documentary, will lead a discussion after a screening of the film. Broken On All Sides: Race, Mass Incarceration and New Visions for Criminal Justice in the U.S. focuses on mass incarceration in the U.S. and racial inequalities in the criminal justice system. It discusses the theory that mass incarceration has become "The New Jim Crow" by targeting people of color and allowing much of the discrimination that was legal in the Jim Crow era to be applied to "criminals."

Using interviews with people on many sides of the criminal justice system--including Michelle Alexander the author of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads book, The New Jim Crow-- the film attempts to answer and provoke questions about the American penal system.

Cosponsored by the UM Community Scholars Program.

Thursday, February 21 -- 6 - 8:30 PM -- Grade 9 - Adult -- Downtown Library Lower Level Multi-Purpose Room

Harpbeat! African Musical Safari

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 3:04pm by Caser

Thursday, February 21 | 10 - 11 am | Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room | Preschool - Grade 5

Harpbeat's harpist, vocalist, and percussionist Donna Novack takes you on a magical world tour and explores the geography, culture, language, and music of Africa. Featured languages include Swahili and Zulu.

Travel across the "Middle Passage" to the West Indies. Take a ride on the Underground Railroad and arrive "dancin" in Motown. Learn how African musical styles -- call & response, work songs, spirituals and more, have revolutionized American music. Martin Luther King, Jr. is featured in Harpbeat's original "I Have A Dream," song, which is accompanied by simple sign language.

Harpbeat! recordings and Donna's original songs have won many national awards. The AADL has the Harpbeat! CDs Around the world from A to Z as well as Hopes & Dreams & Rainbows for checkout.

Washi Tape Greeting Cards

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 3:29pm by Caser

Wednesday, February 20 | 1 - 2 pm | Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room | Grade 3 - Adult

Washi tape is a popular, decorative, Japanese paper tape used in craft projects. We have a variety of colors and patterns of washi tape, along with various colors of card stock and other patterned paper available for you to make greeting card images and other inspired crafts.

If you have never heard of washi tape, check out this Pinterest pinboard for great project ideas. You could also bring an item from home to decorate, and feel free to bring a your own roll(s) of washi tape to use along with ours to create your greeting card, if you like!

This event is for youth (Grade 3 and up), teens, and adults.

Film & Discussion: Blacking Up: Hip-Hop's Remix of Race and Identity

Sun, 01/27/2013 - 4:28pm by Bertha

Blacking Up explores racial identity through the lens of hip-hop music and culture.
This 2010 documentary examines the popularity of hip-hop among America's white youth, and considers whether this reflects
new racial understanding in white America or reinforces an ugly history of stereotypes.

The director, Robert A. Clift is a filmmaker from Washington, DC, whose previous film, Stealing Home: The Case of Cuban Baseball, appeared nationally on PBS.

He is currently writing his dissertation for the Department of Communication and Culture at Indiana University

A discussion will follow the film.
Cosponsored by the UM Community Scholars Program
Thursday, January 31, 6:00 - 8:30 PM -- Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room

Confessions of an Elder-in-Training

Sun, 01/27/2013 - 3:33pm by iralax

Join this unique interactive take on the passage of time we’re all trying to understand and make the most of. Local musician and workshop leader Jeanne Mackey offers a rare blend of emotional intensity, wry humor, and social commentary as she shares stories, songs, and reflections on the aging process. This adventurous gathering will be at the Downtown Library on Wed., Jan. 30, 7-8:30 pm.

Cinema Night Special: Discover Something Different

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 4:39pm by mariah

Looking to discover something unusual in the world of film? Start your weekend off with something different!

From 7-9pm on Friday, January 18, at the Downtown Library, Cinema Night Special offers you a chance to catch a 70-minute feature, a shorter experimental film, and live music in between, along with free popcorn!

The evening will start with the area premiere of the suspense-filled 2012 German short film Pro Kopf (The Maid). Ann Arbor's No Excuses Band then take the stage to play a set of originals and covers ranging from classic rock to folk and pop.

2008's critically-acclaimed Somers Town, a Best Film nominee at the British Independent Film Awards, will round out the night. This warmhearted portrait of an unlikely friendship between two boys which Empire Magazine called "beautifully modulated" with an "improvised feel, sparky comedy and interest in the truth of youth (that) services a story that's both winning and winsome."

Don't miss this special evening of experimental film and live music!

What Do I Do? My Child is Two!

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 1:00pm by beesleya

Wednesday January 16, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Raising a toddler is hard work! Learn how to build a positive relationship with your toddler through knowledge, preparation and participation.

In this session, Early Childhood Educator Shannon Coon will discuss how to create functional and manageable routines to make days go smoother. She will also address why problems behaviors sometimes come about, how to avoid them and how to work towards solutions. Area resources for toddler needs and play will also be mentioned.