Discover your family history with help from AADL

Wed, 02/04/2009 - 1:27pm by Jessenma

Curious about your family history, but don't know where or how to get started? If this sounds like you, then we invite you to attend our program, Genealogy for Beginners, Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Downtown Library. Our staff will demonstrate how to search for historical records in databases, Ancestry and HeritageQuest, as well as how to use various genealogical websites. They will also share tips on how to begin the research process. If you have never conducted genealogical research before and want to know how to get started, then this is the class for you.

Feb. 5th Morningstar Part 2 Class Canceled; Rescheduled For Feb. 25th at 7pm

Wed, 02/04/2009 - 9:26am by cecile

The February 5th class on Morningstar has been canceled and rescheduled for registered participants for Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm.

Youth Department Freedom Quilt

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 9:44am by Tahira

February is Black History Month. Come in and celebrate at the Downtown Library Youth Department. Paper quilt patches will be available to color and hang on the Youth Department’s wall.

Freedom Quilts were quilts with encoded messages that helped slaves find their way North to freedom. Although the significance and role the quilts played in the Underground Railroad is debated by scholars and historians, the stories of the quilts are still an important part of African-American history. Read more about Freedom Quilts in Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson, The Secret to Freedom by Marcia Vaughn and Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson.

Job Interviewing Skills

Thu, 01/29/2009 - 11:10am by cecile

The Ann Arbor District Library is offering two programs at the Downtown Library that will assist you in improving your interviewing skills. Neither program requires registration, just come as you are!

February 11th, 10-11 a.m.: Manpower, experts with over 60 years of experience in the employment services industry, will be on hand to give you interviewing tips, and the all important interviewing do’s and don’ts.

February 18th, 10-11 a.m.: Dr. George Watts, Managing Partner of AST Management, an internationally known executive coaching firm, will conduct a seminar designed to polish your interviewing skills that will give you the confidence to walk into any situation!

Don’t miss these two job skills programs that are here to help one and all!!!

Music and Motion Fans!

Tue, 01/27/2009 - 8:30pm by StoryLaura

Remember that Friday, February 6th is the next opportunity to see the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and Gari Stein join up with tuba player Fritz Kaenzig for dancing and enjoying classical music with your young child at the Downtown Library at 9:30 and 10:30 am.

Soaring Stories

Tue, 01/27/2009 - 8:07pm by StoryLaura

If you like to listen to stories and watch graceful young dancers, then this program is for you! We are sure there might be a few audience members who feel like soaring along with the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet at the Downtown Library on Sunday, February 8th at 2:00 pm.

UM Professor of Theatre Leigh Woods Discusses The Upcoming Production of George Kelly's 'The Show Off''

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 2:10pm by shannon riffe

This Sunday, January 25, Professor Leigh Woods will discuss the upcoming UM Department of Theatre and Drama production of The Show Off by George Kelly. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the play and this production before it begins a four-day run at the Mendelssohn Theater.

Sunday, January 25 | 2-3:30 pm | Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room

Instrument Petting Zoo

Wed, 01/21/2009 - 3:25pm by RayaPapaya

It's never too early to start playing an instrument!

String players from Shar Music will demonstrate each instrument in the string family, including violin, viola, cello and bass. Young players (ages 2-5) will have the opportunity to try out the instruments and join in an instrument-making craft project.

Please join us for Instrument Petting Zoo fun on Monday, January 26th, from 10:30-11:30am, at the Downtown Multi-Purpose Room.

Film & Discussion: Lost Boys of Sudan

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 3:33pm by Bertha

A film screening and discussion of the Emmy-Nominated documentary Lost Boys of Sudan will be happening Thursday, January 22 at the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room from 6:30-8:30pm. It's the story of Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America. The discussion will be led by Jacob Atem, one of the many Lost Boys, assisted by members of the University of Michigan Community Scholars program. For adults and teens (grades 9 and up), co-sponsored by Michigan Television.

The More We Get Together!

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:06am by kidlit

If you have or know any very young children, come to the Downtown Library on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. for a family concert and a book signing with Gari Stein.
Ms. Stein is an educator who brings music and movement together for the very young. Her classes for babies and and their grownups are well known around Ann Arbor. Her new book, The More We Get Together: Nurturing Relationships Through Music, Play, Books and Art, was just released in November.
Come and dance and celebrate!