You can now find all your favorite Mystery, Sci-Fi, or Fantasy authors all in one place at the Downtown Library. The formally all paperback section is now interfiled with the hardbound books. Romance and Western books are now interfiled in the general fiction area and can be identified by a label on the book spine. We hope you enjoy the ease of browsing these collections.

Metal Sculpture

Exhibit Showing through February 27
Be sure to stop by and see the talent of the 18 AADL staff members currently on display in the lower level exhibit cases at the Downtown Library. This year's show features a wide mix of media, including cell phone photos, painted kimonos, blown glass, welded scrap metal (shown here: "Kelper no. 2", by Anne Drozd), graphic novel illustrations, mixed media assemblage and digitally manipulated photographs.

Valentine's Cupcake

We're kicking it old school with cookie and cupcake decorating. Frosting and lots of toppings are the name of the game. Eat them yourself or save some for a sweet gift. For grades 6-12. See you this Sunday, Feb. 11 from 2-4 PM at the Downtown Library...

DSKitteh

Beginning Monday, February 5 the Downtown Youth Department will start taking submissions for the "Pet & Wildlife Photo Contest." Students in grades K-12 are eligible for the contest. Here are the details: Limit of 2 entries per person. Each photo must have your name, phone # and either your pet's name or a photo title on the back of the photo and be accompanied by a signed entry form (available at the time of photo drop-off). Photos may be black & white or color, must be no larger than 5x7" and must be glossy prints only. Photos will be judged based on subject, originality and creativity. One winner and one honorable mention will be named in each of 4 categories: Grades K-2; 3-5; 6-8 and 9-12. Entries may be dropped off at the Downtown Youth Department Reference Desk during library hours beginning Monday, February 5 at 10:00 AM through Thursday, March 8 by 9:00 PM. Every photo entered will be displayed in the Downtown Youth Department during the month of March., beginning Friday, March 9. Photos will be returned to participants and can be picked up anytime during the first week of April.

The Nonprofit Resources Center is a new collection at AADL that focuses on nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit expertise in the areas of fundraising, governance, administration, and employment is now collected together and available for circulation. The Nonprofit Resources Center contains approximately 400 items and is located on the 2nd floor of the Downtown Library. The Nonprofit Resources Center is a collaboration between the NEW Center and Ann Arbor District Library to facilitate the use of these books and to make them available to the widest audience possible. We wish to thank Borders which generously made these materials available.

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, local authors Carol Gibson and Lola Jones will be presenting an introduction to the history of the African American community in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County at the Sunday, January 14 session of 'Sunday Edition' at the Downtown Library at 2:00 pm. Their presentation will be based on their new book Another Ann Arbor, a photographic survey of the history and contributions of African Americans. The program will include a selection of the images from the book. Additional information about the local African American community can be found at the Another Ann Arbor web site. The 'Sunday Edition Program' is free and open to all.

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...

What's new with Google? What are their plans for the Ann Arbor area? Find out on Thursday, November 30 when Grady Burnett, head of Online Sales and Operations for Google's Ann Arbor office, discusses Google's plans for growth and their decision to open this local office. What will this mean for Ann Arbor? For Google? Join us from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Downtown Library and find out!

David Small and Sarah Stewart are coming to the Downtown library this weekend—are you prepared? Brush up on their charming blend of timeless watercolor illustrations and heartwarming tales of books, plants and… antlers? My personal favorite of the bunch, Imogene’s Antlers follows the resilient main character through her daily routine with a spontaneously acquired pair of antlers. Both written and illustrated by David Small, the delightfully matter-of-fact text juxtaposes hysterically with the images of Imogene’s unusual predicament. If you don’t happen to get a copy in time, never fear—Nicola’s Books will be on-hand at the event.

fairy door

It was only a matter of time....Local fairy expert Jonathan B. Wright discovered yesterday that some Urban Fairies have moved into the Downtown library, creating a lovely reading room of their own in--where else?--the Folklore and Fairy Tale collection in the Youth department on the first floor. Jonathan has already updated the tourable fairy door map and explained why the fairy chairs have duck feet. We simply must greet our new residents with a reception on Sunday November 26 at 2:00 pm in the Youth Department downtown. There will be an official welcome by Josie Parker, a story, treats and other surprises!